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Figure shows a typical variation of infiltration 
capacity fp(t) with time. 
Cumulative infiltration capacity Fp(t) is defined as 
the accumulation of infiltration volume over a 
time period since the start of the process and 
given by 
 Fp(t)= ∫ fp(t) …...................(1) 
Thus the curve Fp(t) vs time in fig. is the mass 
curve of infiltration. It may be noted that form 
Eq.(1) it follow that 
fp(t) = dFp(t)/dt ………………….(2)
HORTON’S EQUATION 
One of the first attempts to describe the process of infiltration 
was made by Horton in 1933. He observed that the infiltration 
capacity reduced in an exponential fashion from an initial, 
maximum rate fo to a final constant rate fc. 
The Horton equation for infiltration capacity fp is given by 
equation(3) which shows the variation of the maximum 
infiltration capacity with time t. 
fp=fc+(fo+fc)e-Kht for 0 ≤ t ≤ tc ………………………(3) 
The difficulty of determining the variation of the three 
parameters fo ,fc and kh with soil characteristics and 
antecedent moisture condition preclude the general use 
of Eq.(3)
PHILIP’S EQUATION (1957) 
Philip’s two term model relates Fp(t) as 
Fp = Kt + st-1/2 where s = a function of soil suction potential and called as sorptivity 
K = Darcy’s hydraulic conductivity 
Infiltration capacity could be expressed as 
fp = 1/2 st-1/2 + K 
KOSTIAKOV EQUATION (1932) 
Kostiakov model expresses cumulative infiltration capacity as 
Fp = atb where a and b are local parameters with a>0 and 0<b<1. 
The infiltration capacity would now be expressed as 
fp = (ab)t(b-1)
CLASSIFICATION OF INFILTRATION CAPACITIES 
For purpose of runoff volume classification in small 
watersheds , one of the widely used methods in the SCS-CN 
method. 
Classification of Infiltration Capacities 
Infiltration Class 
Very Low 
Low 
medium 
High 
Infiltration 
capacitity(mm/h) 
< 2.5 
2.5 to 25.0 
12.5 to 25.0 
> 25.0 
Remarks 
Highly clayey soil 
Shallow soils , clay soils ,soil low in 
organicmatter 
Sandy loam , Silt 
Deep sands ,well drained aggregated 
soils
INFILTRATION INDICES 
The defined average infiltration rate is called infiltration index. Two types of indices are in common use . 
Ø-Index 
The Ø-Index is the average rainfall above which the rainfall volume is equal to the runoff volume. The Ø- 
Index is derived from the rainfall hyetograph with the knowledge of the resulting runoff volume. The initial 
loss is also considered as infiltration. The Ø value is found by treating it as a constant infiltration capacity. 
The amount of rainfall in excess of the index is called rainfall excess. In connection with runoff and flood 
studies it is also known as effective rainfall. 
PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATION OF Ø-Index : 
Consider a rainfall hyetograph of event duration D hours and having N pulses of time 
interval Δt such that N. Δt =D. Let Ii be the intensity of rainfall in ith pulse and 
Rd =total direct runoff. 
N 
Total Rainfall P=Σ Ii . Δt 
1 
If Ø is Ø-Index, then P- Ø.te =Rd where te = duration of rainfall excess. 
If the rainfall hyetograph and total runoff depth Rd are given, the Ø-Index of the storm can be determined by trial and 
error procedure ag given below : 
1. Assume that out of given N pulses, M number of pulses have rainfall excess. (Note that M<=N). Select M number of 
pulses in decreasing order of rainfall intensity Ii . M 
2. Find the value of Ø that satisfies the relation Rd = Σ (Ii – Ø) Δt 
1
3. Using the value of Ø of step 2, find the number of pulses (Mc ) which give rainfall excess. (Thus Mc = number of pulses 
with rainfall intensity Ii >=Ø). 
4. If Mc =M, then Ø of step 2 is the correct value of Ø – Index. If not, repeat the procedure step 1 onwards with new 
value of M. Result of step 3 can be used as guidance to the next trial. 
W-Index 
In an attempt to refine the Ø-index the initial losses are seperated from the total abstractions and an average value of 
infiltration rate called W-index, is defined as 
W= (P - R – Ia )/te where P=total storm precipitation (cm) 
R=total storm runoff (cm) 
Ia = Initial losses (cm) 
te = duration or rainfall excess, i.e. the total time in which the rainfall 
intensity is greater than W (in hours) and 
W=defined average rate of infiltration (cm) 
Since Ia rates are difficult to obtain, the accurate estimation of W-index is rather difficult. 
The minimum value of the W-index obtained under very wet soil conditions, representing the constant minimum rate of 
infiltration of the catchment, is known as Wmin . It is to be noted that both the Ø-Index and W-index vary from storm to 
storm. 
COMPUTATION OF W-INDEX : 
To compute W-index the following procedure is followed : 
1. Deduct the initial loss Ia from the storm hyetograph pulses starting from the first pulse. 
2. Use the resulting hyetograph pulse diagram to compute.

Modeling infiltration capacity in infiltration

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Figure shows atypical variation of infiltration capacity fp(t) with time. Cumulative infiltration capacity Fp(t) is defined as the accumulation of infiltration volume over a time period since the start of the process and given by  Fp(t)= ∫ fp(t) …...................(1) Thus the curve Fp(t) vs time in fig. is the mass curve of infiltration. It may be noted that form Eq.(1) it follow that fp(t) = dFp(t)/dt ………………….(2)
  • 3.
    HORTON’S EQUATION Oneof the first attempts to describe the process of infiltration was made by Horton in 1933. He observed that the infiltration capacity reduced in an exponential fashion from an initial, maximum rate fo to a final constant rate fc. The Horton equation for infiltration capacity fp is given by equation(3) which shows the variation of the maximum infiltration capacity with time t. fp=fc+(fo+fc)e-Kht for 0 ≤ t ≤ tc ………………………(3) The difficulty of determining the variation of the three parameters fo ,fc and kh with soil characteristics and antecedent moisture condition preclude the general use of Eq.(3)
  • 4.
    PHILIP’S EQUATION (1957) Philip’s two term model relates Fp(t) as Fp = Kt + st-1/2 where s = a function of soil suction potential and called as sorptivity K = Darcy’s hydraulic conductivity Infiltration capacity could be expressed as fp = 1/2 st-1/2 + K KOSTIAKOV EQUATION (1932) Kostiakov model expresses cumulative infiltration capacity as Fp = atb where a and b are local parameters with a>0 and 0<b<1. The infiltration capacity would now be expressed as fp = (ab)t(b-1)
  • 5.
    CLASSIFICATION OF INFILTRATIONCAPACITIES For purpose of runoff volume classification in small watersheds , one of the widely used methods in the SCS-CN method. Classification of Infiltration Capacities Infiltration Class Very Low Low medium High Infiltration capacitity(mm/h) < 2.5 2.5 to 25.0 12.5 to 25.0 > 25.0 Remarks Highly clayey soil Shallow soils , clay soils ,soil low in organicmatter Sandy loam , Silt Deep sands ,well drained aggregated soils
  • 6.
    INFILTRATION INDICES Thedefined average infiltration rate is called infiltration index. Two types of indices are in common use . Ø-Index The Ø-Index is the average rainfall above which the rainfall volume is equal to the runoff volume. The Ø- Index is derived from the rainfall hyetograph with the knowledge of the resulting runoff volume. The initial loss is also considered as infiltration. The Ø value is found by treating it as a constant infiltration capacity. The amount of rainfall in excess of the index is called rainfall excess. In connection with runoff and flood studies it is also known as effective rainfall. PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATION OF Ø-Index : Consider a rainfall hyetograph of event duration D hours and having N pulses of time interval Δt such that N. Δt =D. Let Ii be the intensity of rainfall in ith pulse and Rd =total direct runoff. N Total Rainfall P=Σ Ii . Δt 1 If Ø is Ø-Index, then P- Ø.te =Rd where te = duration of rainfall excess. If the rainfall hyetograph and total runoff depth Rd are given, the Ø-Index of the storm can be determined by trial and error procedure ag given below : 1. Assume that out of given N pulses, M number of pulses have rainfall excess. (Note that M<=N). Select M number of pulses in decreasing order of rainfall intensity Ii . M 2. Find the value of Ø that satisfies the relation Rd = Σ (Ii – Ø) Δt 1
  • 7.
    3. Using thevalue of Ø of step 2, find the number of pulses (Mc ) which give rainfall excess. (Thus Mc = number of pulses with rainfall intensity Ii >=Ø). 4. If Mc =M, then Ø of step 2 is the correct value of Ø – Index. If not, repeat the procedure step 1 onwards with new value of M. Result of step 3 can be used as guidance to the next trial. W-Index In an attempt to refine the Ø-index the initial losses are seperated from the total abstractions and an average value of infiltration rate called W-index, is defined as W= (P - R – Ia )/te where P=total storm precipitation (cm) R=total storm runoff (cm) Ia = Initial losses (cm) te = duration or rainfall excess, i.e. the total time in which the rainfall intensity is greater than W (in hours) and W=defined average rate of infiltration (cm) Since Ia rates are difficult to obtain, the accurate estimation of W-index is rather difficult. The minimum value of the W-index obtained under very wet soil conditions, representing the constant minimum rate of infiltration of the catchment, is known as Wmin . It is to be noted that both the Ø-Index and W-index vary from storm to storm. COMPUTATION OF W-INDEX : To compute W-index the following procedure is followed : 1. Deduct the initial loss Ia from the storm hyetograph pulses starting from the first pulse. 2. Use the resulting hyetograph pulse diagram to compute.

Editor's Notes

  • #4 Where Kh=Horton’s decay coefficient