Experiment 2
To measure the wind velocity, temperature and Relative
humidity by using anemometer.
Theory
Hydrology
It is the scientific study of hydrological cycle. Schematic diagram showing the hydrological
cycle is presented in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1: Pictorial view showing the global hydrological cycle.
Hydrology is the science of waters of the earth, their circulation and distribution over the globe,
their physical and chemical properties and their interaction with the physical and biological
environment (Aswan N. M. 1981).
Hydrology is concerned with the circulation of water and its constituents through the
hydrologic cycle. It deals with precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater flow,
runoff, stream flow and the transport of substances dissolved or suspended in flowing water.
Hydrology is primarily concerned with water on or near the land surface; ocean waters are the
domain of oceanography and the marine sciences (Maidment 1993).
Hydrology is an earth science. It encompasses the occurrence, distribution, movement, and
properties of the waters of the earth. Knowledge of hydrology is fundamental to decision
making process where water is a component of the system of concern. Water and environmental
issues are inextricably linked, and it is important to clearly understand how water is affected
by and how water affects ecosystem manipulations (Viessman Warren 1996).
Engineering Hydrology
Engineering hydrology includes those segments of the field pertinent to planning, design and
operation of engineering projects for the control and use of water (Linsley 1982).
Significance of Hydrology
Study of water is extremely necessary as:
• It is the basic need for the sustenance of human life over the planet (drinking, agriculture
and industry).
• To cope with the extreme hydrological events (floods and droughts).
• To determine input data for the design of hydraulic structures (Design floods and
sediment inflows).
Meteorology
It is the science of atmosphere which is gaseous envelope surrounding the earth (Awan N. M.
1981).
Climatic Factors
Meteorology of the region is affected by certain climatic factors.
• Amount and distribution of precipitation.
• The occurrence of snow and ice.
• Wind velocity.
• Temperature.
• Humidity.
Importance of Knowledge of Meteorology
• Cloud formation.
• Occurrence of precipitation.
• Thunder storm formation.
• Movement of rainstorms.
• Weather forecast.
• As the meteorological phenomena are the forerunners of floods, flood warnings and
forecasts may be issued in advance if one can make use of the meteorological conditions
that are likely to produce floods. Knowledge of meteorology is also essential
prerequisite in the understanding of evaporation phenomenon.
Atmosphere
Atmosphere is the gaseous envelop around the earth surface. It consists of many gases like N2,
O2, CO2etc and water vapours. The term is derived from the Greek work atoms (vapor of
breath) and sphaira (sphere or ball) (Aswan N. M. 1981).
Troposphere / Hydrosphere
It is the layer of atmosphere adjacent to the surface of the earth, which contains about 99% of
total atmospheric water. Its average thickness is about 12 km. For civil engineers this is the
most important atmospheric layer. All processes like cloud formation, thunderstorms, and
precipitation take place in this layer.
Figure 1.2: Photograph showing layers of atmosphere and their average thicknesses.
Atmospheric Water
It is the water available in the atmosphere (troposphere / hydrosphere), in the form of water
vapors’, ice crystals, clouds and precipitating particles etc. The quantity of water in atmosphere
is approximately 12.900 Km3, which is about 0.001% of total global water and 0.5% of volume
of the atmosphere (Chow 1988).
Vaporization
It is the process of transformation of water from liquid state to vapor state. The process of
vaporization at global scale is shown in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3: Conceptual diagram showing the phenomenon of evaporation.
Vapor Pressure (e)
Pressure exerted by the water vapors in air is known as vapors in air is known as paver pressure.
Its commonly used units are mm of Hg.
Graph showing relationship between air temperature and saturation vapor pressure.
Saturation Vapor Pressure
It is the vapor pressure when air is fully saturated at a given temperature. It is the measure of
moisture holding capacity of air, which increases with increase in air temperature.
Humidity
It is the presence of moisture in the air. Humidity in the atmosphere can be assessed by vapor
pressure of air.
Relative Humidity
It is the ratio between the vapor pressure and the saturation vapor pressure of air at a given
temperature. It is usually expressed in percentage.
Dew Point Temperature
The dew point temperature can be defined as the temperature at which the air mass just becomes
saturated if cooled at constant pressure with moisture neither added nor removed (Awan N. M.
1981).
Once air is cooled naturally to this temperature dewdrops are formed. This usually happens at
late night when temperature falls significantly.
Apparatus:
Anemometer, Calculator
Procedure:
1. Switch on the anemometer and wait for one minute to clearly show the natural readings
on anemometer.
2. Units can be set as per requirements.
3. Hang the fan of meter in the air for few seconds to measure wind velocity in m/sec (or
any unit).
4. Measure other readings like temperature (0C), dew temperature (0C), relative humidity
(%), flow (mm) and pressure (hpascal) at one site.
5. Switch off the anemometer.
6. Change the site for multiple places and repeat above steps.
7. Draw table to tabulate all values and then average/mean values.
Observations and Calculations
Sites/places Wind temperature dew relative flow (mm) pressure
names speed (0C) temperature humidity (hpascal)
(m/sec) (0C) (%)
Mean Values
