Comparative Study Using the Methodologies of Diaz-Granados and Silva for Maximum Flow Calculation in Los Alpes, Pamplona, Colombia

Abstract

In order to understand the phenomena caused by rainfall that may pose a risk to the urban community, a comparative study was conducted between the Díaz-Granados and Silva methodologies for the construction of Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves, thereby obtaining possible maximum flows for the Los Alpes area, municipality of Pamplona, department of Norte de Santander, using meteorological data records (precipitation) spanning more than 30 years from the ISER Agrometeorological Station linked to the government entity IDEAM. As a result, the flow obtained by the Rational Method stipulated by RAS 2000 for the Díaz-Granados method was 0.031169201 (m³/s) and for the Silva method was 0.220206556 (m³/s). The best methodology for sizing and designing engineering projects (hydraulic works), as well as for implementing management and prevention measures generated by extreme meteorological events (unusual precipitation levels), is Silva’s, since it incorporates extreme values in the process of constructing the IDF curves.