Estimate of intense rainfall equation parameters for rainfall stations of the Paraíba State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rainfall is the primary water source for hydrographic basins. Hence, the quantification and knowledge of its temporal and spatial distribution are indispensable in dimensioning hydraulic projects. This study aimed at assessing the fit of a series of rainfall data to different probability models, as well as estimating parameters of the intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) equation for rain stations of the Paraíba State, Brazil. The rainfall data of each station were obtained from the Brazilian Water Agency databanks. To estimate the maximum daily rainfall of each station and return period (5, 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 years), the following probability distributions were used: Gumbel, Log-Normal II, Log-Normal III, Pearson III and Log-Pearson III. The estimation of rainfall in durations of 5-1,440 min was carried out by daily rainfall disaggregation. The adjustment of the IDF equation was performed via nonlinear multiple regression, using the nonlinear generalized reduced gradient interaction method. When compared to the data observed, the intense rainfall equations for most stations showed goodness of fit with coefficients of determination above 0.99, which supports the methodology applied in this study.