Optimal Sequence of Incremental Precipitation

Safety related components of nuclear power plants and a number of strategic onshore river structures are designed to withstand the severe hydraulic conditions associated with a probable maximum flood or a design basis flood. Quantitatively, the PMF and DBF are interpreted to be the dynamic responses of a drainage basin to optimally sequenced increments of the probable maximum and design basis precipitation, respectively. Consequently, determination of the optimal sequence of incremental precipitation forms an integral part of the hydrologic analysis required for the design of such facilities. The objective of this paper is to present the methodology for development of the optimal sequence of a given hyetograph that would produce maximum flood peaks for specified unit hydrograph characteristics.