Journal of Hydrology, 48 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 3 6 9 - - 3 7 2 369

Elsevier Scientific P u b l i s h i n g C o m p a n y , A m s t e r d a m - - P r i n t e d in T h e N e t h e r l a n d s

[1]

T R A N S L A T O R Y CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MUSKINGUM METHOD

OF FLOOD ROUTING -- REPLY

M.A. G I L L
Department of Civil Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Nigeria)
( A c c e p t e d for p u b l i c a t i o n M a r c h 24, 1 9 8 0 )

In their c o m m e n t s (Strupczewski and Kundzewicz, 1980), the authors

claimed t h a t the questions raised in m y paper (Gill, 1979a) can be answered
clearly and more generally by the m e t h o d of system approach. In order to
do so they integrated the Muskingum equation, using the Laplace operator,
and obtained the same result as given earlier by Diskin (1967). The Laplace
operator is used where the lower limit of the integral is zero and the upper
limit is infinite. In the case of the Muskingum equation [Gill, 1979a, equation
(17)], the lower limit is n o t zero. Since the subsequent conclusions and
arguments are based by the authors on the results obtained by using the
Laplace operator, their conclusions are n o t really relevant to the substance
of m y paper. The crucial point of their comments is the initial condition,
equation (16), in m y paper. The authors have n o t really p u t forward any
argument which should contradict the modified initial condition. If the
initial condition Q(k) = / ( 0 ) is accepted, the basis of the authors' argument
completely collapses. The initial condition Q(k) = I(O) is n o t only followed
from the mathematical analysis of translatory waves but it also has a strong
physical basis. Instead of point-by-point answering the comments, the
present author shall try to clarify the physical meaning of the time lag and
the initial condition, in his paper.

M E A N I N G O F I = I0 A T t = 0

With reference to Fig. 1, I ~ I0 (= 0, in this case) at t = 0 and also for

t ~ 0. The negative time (t ~ 0) refers to earlier time instances than the zero
time selected for the purpose of describing the structure of the inflow
hydrograph. I = I0 for t ~ 0 describes a steady condition of flow. For all
values of t ~ 0, unsteadiness prevails. In all mathematical analyses and
models, the initial condition I = I 0 at t = 0 is invariably used although
I = I 0 at t ~ o is also equally correct. The reason why I - - I 0 at t = 0 is
used as initial condition is t h a t t = 0 is the time instant when unsteadiness
begins and the inflow starts increasing. The resulting mathematical description

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