Development of a Rainfall and Runoff Simulator for Performing Hydrological and Geotechnical Tests

Laboratory apparatuses for the analysis of infiltration and runoff enable studies under controlled environments at reduced costs. Unfortunately, design construction such systems are complex face difficulties associated with scale factor. This paper presents design, construction, evaluation a portable rainfall simulator. The apparatus allows unsaturated soils without vegetation cover, wide range simulation scenarios. also enables control intensity, size, uniformity simulated raindrops variable surface slope, specimen thickness, length conditions. monitoring volumetric water content matric suction rigorous computation balance ensured. obtained results indicate that automated generator produces Christiansen coefficients higher than 70%, an adequate distribution raindrop sizes intensities between 86.0 220.0 mm h−1. ideal conditions were established relatively small area equal to or lower 1.0 m2 considering events return periods 10 100 years.