Number and volume raindrop size distributions in Taiwan |
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| Authors: | Jau‐Yau Lu Chih‐Chiang Su Tai‐Fang Lu Ming‐Ming Maa |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC;2. Department of Applied Mathematics, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC;3. Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC |
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| Abstract: | Knowledge of rainfall characteristics is very important for the accurate estimation of rainfall kinetic energy and prediction of soil erosion. In this study, a reliable and efficient data collection and analysis system was developed to analyse the natural raindrop data collected in subtropical Taiwan. Both raindrop size distributions by number and volume were carefully analysed. The seasonal variations of the rainfall erosivity factor R, which is an index of the erosive potential of rainfall and a function of rainfall kinetic energy, was also discussed. An isoerodent map of Taiwan was also developed based on the rainfall data recorded by 158 automated rainfall‐measuring stations within 26 years. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | raindrop size distribution rainfall kinetic energy soil erosion |
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