S4: Civil Engineering (Hydrology) 1

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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
NATIONAL DIPLOMA: CIVIL ENGINEERING
(WATER)
SUBJECT CODE:
WER300S

SUBJECT GUIDE
2015
PREREQUISITE SUBJECTS:
WATER ENGINEERING 3
COURSE CODE: NDCVL
NQF LEVEL: 6

Table of contents
Organisational component
1.

Introduction / Word of welcome ...........................................................................3

2.

General ................................................................................................................... 3

3.

Study materials and purchases ............................................................................4

4.

Module credits .......................................................................................................4

5.

Assessment ...........................................................................................................5

6.

5.1

Assessment policy and regulations ..............................................................5

5.2

Assessment opportunities: administration ...................................................6

Additional information ..........................................................................................6

Study component

7.

8.

Module specifications ...........................................................................................7

7.1

Purpose of the module ..................................................................................7

7.2

Learning presumed to be in place..................................................................7

7.3

Critical cross-field outcomes .........................................................................7

7.4

Module structure ..........................................................................................8

Study units ................................................................................................................9

9. Learner Acknowledgement.............................................................................................10

Organisational component
1.

INTRODUCTION / WORD OF WELCOME

We welcome you to the Hydrology module of the subject Water Engineering 3 studied at S4 level.
It is a semester module that contributes 50% towards the final subject mark the other module is
Reticulation design (water, wastewater and storm water).
Hydrology is the study of the earths water, particularly of water on and under the ground. The
science of hydrology has many important applications such as flood control, irrigation, domestic
and industrial water supply and the generation of hydroelectric power.
We wish you success with your studies in this field.
2.
2.1

GENERAL
Contact information
Name

Programme
Head
Subject
Lecturer/
coordinator :
Lecturers
Secretary

2.2

Ms. A. Kamalie
Mr. M. Phillips

Mr.R Mambwe
Dr YO Asante
Mrs L Khan

Building
and
room number
ABC Building,
Room 1.58
ABC Building,
Room 2.09A

Telephone
number

E-mail address

021 959 6687

kamaliea@cput.ac.za

ABC : 1.06
ABC : 1.34

021 959 6734

021 959 6680

Consulting
hours
12:00-13:00
12:00-13:00

021 959 6673

ABC Building, 021 959 6206

Reception

phillipsm@cput.ac.za
mambwer@cput.ac.za

12:00-13:00

Owosu-AsanteY@cput.ac.za

khanl@cput.ac.za

Time-table

Three contact lectures and three hands-on sessions per week have been scheduled.
Hands-on sessions will be in the form of individual tutorials and case studies as well as group
work where students are expected to complete group projects by working in groups of
maximum five students, facilitated by a group leader appointed by the students.
Contact Session
Lecture/tutorial/test

Venue
ABC
Building,
1.15,1.16 or 1.28

Rooms

Day & Time

0.05, Monday & Wednesday
(see applicable class timetable)

Learner Management System (LMS)

This subject will require the use of the e-learning LMS (Blackboard) available on the intranet.
Remember that computers are available in the library, IT centre and the Departments
computer laboratories.

3.

STUDY MATERIALS AND PURCHASES

The subject comprises of conceptual issues of hydrology mostly covered within lectures.
Prescribed textbook
Wilson, E.M. 1990. Engineering Hydrology. 4th ed. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Recommended Literature/sources include the following:
Dawei Han. 2010 Concise Hydrology (Free www.bookboon.com)
The South African National Roads Agency Limited. 2006. Drainage Manual, 5 th Edition,
Pretoria. [only chapter 3)

Linsley R.K, Kohler M.A, Paulhus J.L.H. 1988. Hydrology for Engineers, McGraw Hill,
London
Viessman W., Lewis G.L., Knapp J.W. 1989. Introduction to Hydrology, 3rd ed. Harper
Collins, New York
Chadwick, A & Morfett, J. (1998) Hydraulics in civil and environmental engineering. 3rd
Edition. E & FN Spon, London .
Linsley, R. K. (1992) Water resources engineering. 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill. New York.
Roberson, J. A. ; Cassidy, J. J. & Hanif Chaudhry, M. (1998) Hydraulic engineering. 2nd
Edition. Wiley. New York :
Wanielista, M.P; Kersten, K. & Eaglin, R (1997) Hydrology: water quantity and quality
control. John Wiley and Sons. New York
Chow, V ; Maidment, D.R. & Mays, L. (1988) Applied hydrology. McGraw-Hill. New York
4. MODULE CREDITS
This module carries a weighting of 10 credits, indicating that a student should spend an
average of 100 hours to master the required skills (including time spent preparing for tests
and examinations). This means that you should devote an average of 10 hours of study
time per week to this module. The scheduled contact time is four hours per week.
Note: The notional hours include the contact time, as well as the estimated time to be
allocated to self-study, preparation of assignments and preparation for tests and the
examination.

5.

ASSESSMENT

5.1

Assessment policy and regulations

Continuous Assessment
In this subject your performance will be assessed throughout each semester by means of
various assessment types.
Formative Practices
Students are entitled to verify the marking of scripts against a suggested solution and may
query marks within five working days from the date the scripts were returned by the
lecturer.
Students must see assessments as very important learning experiences and may discuss
learning issues resulting from the assessments, with the lecturer.
Academic Writing
Students must consult the library guide on academic writing when completing essay type
assignments (http://library.cput.ac.za/information_literacy/essay.html).
Students must at all times guard against plagiarism, intentional or coincidental (read about
plagiarism on http://library.cput.ac.za/information_literacy/use.html)

5.2 Assessment opportunities: administration

Evaluation is by continuous evaluation consisting of three written tests, three assignments
and a research project. Dates for these tests are published at the start of the semester. The
final course mark is calculated using the following weighting:
Item

Weights

Mid-semester test

25%

Class tests (2)

20-25%

Assignments (up to 2)

5-10%

Research (group work)

5%

Final test

40%

If a student is unable to write a test due to illness, a medical certificate must be submitted to
the lecturer within 3 days after the test date, and evaluation will be done at the end of the
semester (see 6.5). Otherwise a mark of 0 will be allocated. Assignments submitted after
the due date will not be accepted. Project work will attract a penalty of 10% per day
with a maximum of 5 days.
Assignments must be typed and in the format prescribed on the CPUT library website
(under information literacy). It must contain the following: cover page, table of contents
and bibliography.
An average mark of 50% is required to pass the subject.

6.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

6.1

ATTENDANCE
Learners are advised to attend all lectures. Attending your lectures will go a long way in
guaranteeing your success.

6.2

PUNCTUALITY
Lecturers reserve the right to exclude any learners who arrive late for a lecture session.

6.3

TEST DATES, VENUES AND TOPICS TO BE COVERED

The topics to be covered, duration of assessments/evaluation and the venue may be
announced during lecture / tutorial sessions or alternatively communicated by means of
electronic mail. You are given, in terms of this document, sufficient notice to enable you to
be well prepared for these assessments. Assessment dates may be changed, subject to
reasonable notice being given.

6.4

INVIGILATION RULES FOR STUDENTS

Turn off all cellphones. Cellphones may not be displayed at all during the assessment
session.
Complete and sign the attendance register.
If you are suspected of irregular or dishonest conduct you will be required to complete a
students declaration form. Your answer book will be removed and you will be issued with
a new answer book to continue writing the test.
You may not leave the assessment venue within the first hour and/or the last fifteen
minutes of the assessment.

6.5

ABSENCE DURING TESTS / EVALUATIONS

All evaluations are compulsory. If a student is absent during an evaluation, a zero
(nil) mark will be assigned. An exception to this rule will be made ONLY where a student
is absent as a result of illness AND a medical certificate is presented within 3 days in
respect of the evaluation missed. Medical certificates should be delivered to the
lecturer.
If the circumstances in the preceding paragraph apply to a learner he/she will be afforded
the opportunity of re-writing the assessment after the completion of the last (final)
assessment. This assessment will cover all the work covered for the entire subject
and not only in respect of the work that was covered for the assessment that was not
taken.

6.6

CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students should prepare for lectures in advance to ensure that they can properly
participate in the lecture room environment should they be required to do so.

6.7

FEEDBACK AND QUERIES

The Lecturer will return student scripts within three weeks. It is the student's responsibility
to check that the marks have been calculated accurately on his/her script. Students who
are not present when assessments are returned will forfeit the right to have their marks
revised.
Students who have any queries relating to their marks should raise these queries
immediately in the lecture following the lecture in which the scripts were returned. No
queries or complaints will be entertained after this.

Once assessments have been moderated and the marks have been processed, the marks
will be published.
Where applicable, students must retain their scripts in case of any mark dispute or
administrative error that may arise at any time during the course of the academic
year.

Study component
7. Module specifications
7.1

Purpose of the module

The purpose is to instruct engineering students in the principles and practices of engineering
hydrology through the use of examples and calculations to the greatest practical extent.

7.2

Learning presumed to be in place

Students must have passed Engineering Drawing, Mathematics, Water Engineering 2
amongst all other lower level subjects. The co-requisite module is Reticulation Design.

7.3

Critical cross-field outcomes

The critical cross-field outcomes include, but are not limited to:
7.5.1
7.5.2
7.5.3
7.5.4
7.5.5
7.5.6

Understanding the nature of Hydrology.

Ensuring that learners gain sufficient knowledge and understanding of the
hydrological cycle and the interaction of ground and surface water.
Teaching oral and written communication skills.
Understand the role of an engineering hydrologist in the water sector.
Demonstrate the knowledge to conduct a study of the hydrology of a region taking
cognisance of the various forms of water as well as demand, supply and losses.
Working effectively with others as a member of a project.

1. Fourth level of study (S4):

a. Assimilate coursework across subjects through integrated projects
b. Develop a professional interest of his/her choice
c. Develop interest in specialist professional societies (Water, Structures, Transport,
etc.)
d. Keep abreast of technology by developing an interest in journal articles and
continuing education within the water sector.

S4: Civil Engineering (Hydrology) 8

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Module structure
Theme / Topic

Introduction

2
3
4

Meteorological
data (precipitation)
Evaporation and
Transpiration
Infiltration
and
Percolation

Specific Outcomes

1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
1.
2.

Schedule

Describe the hydrological cycle and explain its various processes and terminology.
Evaluate inputs, processes and outputs in a hydrologic system (water budget)
Analyse the factors on which the hydrology of a region depends.
Explain how hydrologic data are collected.
Know how to measure hydrologic parameters
Check for anomalies in the data; input missing data; analyse and interpret data.
Examine significance of & factors that influence evapo-transpiration
Understand how to and determine evapotranspiration
Examine the factors that influence infiltration of precipitation into the ground
Apply the factors influencing infiltration of water into the ground and determine runoff
quantity.

Week 1 - 2

Week 3 - 4
Week 5

Week 6
Test 1

Groundwater

Surface runoff and

stream flow

1.
2.
1.
2.

Holidays ( 7 11 September)
Mid-semester assessments
Explain the occurrence, flow and abstraction of ground water
Understand yield and operation of boreholes.
Determine the volume of water to be stored in a reservoir by using the mass-curve
concept.
Calculate the volume of surface water passing a gauging site in a given time
8

Week 7
Week 8
10

Assess.
Dates

Mid semester Assessment Week

Chapter

14 21 September 2015

7.4

3. Determine the volume of water passing a gauging site through (i) measurement (ii)
forecasting from hydrologic data

Hydrological
forecasting

1. Understand the various methods of estimating the quantity of runoff generated from
2.
3.
1.
2.

rainfall
Calculate the flow rate of water at any given location due to storms of various intensities
using hydrographs.
Separate and quantify groundwater and surface water volumes from hydrographs.
Organise hydrological data in a form that allows for statistical analysis using ranking.
Compute a return period for each value, determine the best fit for the data and determine
the value for a desired return period.

Week 11
12
Test 2

Week 13

Assessment Week

Hydrograph
analysis

9-20 November 2015

S4: Civil Engineering (Hydrology) 10

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8. STUDY UNITS
Study unit outcomes

Teaching events

Learning activities

Assessments

1. Introduction
Describe the hydrological
cycle
and
use
the
hydrologic budget to the
hydrology of a region.

Demonstration of hydrologic
budget calculations problem
solving

Test on applying
principles to solve
engineering
problems

2. Meteorological
observations
Understand the collection,
analysis and interpretation
of hydrologic data

Student arrange visit

meteorological station,

3. Evapotranspiration
Examine the factors that
influence
evapotranspiration
and
how
to
determine/measure
evapotranspiration

Case studies of evaporation

measurements in RSA

CD ROM self-assessment
programme; problems to
do
in
class;
group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials
Group research, problems
to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials
Assignments
Group research, problems
to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials
Assignments

4. Infiltration

Problem solving

Group research, problems

to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials
Assignments
Group research, problems
to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials
Assignments
Group research, problems
to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework tutorials on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials.
Assignments

Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data

to

Examine the factors that

influence infiltration these
to
determine
runoff
quantity.

Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data
Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data

5. Groundwater
Explain the occurrence,
flow and abstraction of
ground water as well as
how to determine the yield
of wells.

Give
an
outline
of
groundwater use in RSA

6. Surface runoff
Understand
how
to
measure, determine or
estimate surface runoff
and stream flow. Use
mass curves to determine
reservoir storage.

Demonstration of runoff
importance;
problem
solving on stream flow and
reservoir storage; visits to
dams and stream flow
gauging stations;

7. Hydrographs
Calculate the flow rate of
water
at
any
given
location due to storms of
various intensities using
hydrographs.

Case studies of gauging

stations operated by
DWA, problem solving
relating rainfall, stream
flow
measurements
and hydrographs

Group research, problems

to do in class; group
discussion
in
class;
homework/tutorials
on
problems; peer marking of
tutorials & assignment

Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data

8. Hydrological
forecasting
Forecast the risk and
probability
of
the
recurrence of storms of
various intensities.

Case studies of floods and

droughts and mitigation
measures
taken,
flood
magnitude
prediction
calculations

Search for newspaper

articles on floods and
droughts

Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data

10

Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data
Assessed on oral
presentation,
report writing and
problems
to
interpret
and
analyse data

11

9. LEARNER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS STUDY GUIDE AND UNDERSTAND
AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY ITS CONTENTS

Please read the following statement and complete the spaces that follow. Make a copy of this
page for your own reference. Hand in this original page during the next class session.

I have read the study guide of HYDROLOGY 3 and understand the information and my
responsibilities as a learner for this subject.

Name & Surname:

(print)

..................................

Student Number:

Signature: ....................................

Date: ....................

Should you DISAGREE with anything whatsoever, please list and explain your disagreement:
.
.