R Factor Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the R Factor is:

\[ R = E \times P \]

Where:

\(R\) is the R Factor (ton*in/acre*hr*year).
\(E\) is the erosivity index.
\(P\) is the annual rainfall amount (inches/year).

What is the R Factor?

The R Factor represents the rainfall and runoff erosivity factor in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). It quantifies the effect of raindrop impact and the rate of associated runoff as a factor in soil erosion. The R Factor is influenced by the intensity and duration of rainfall. A higher R Factor indicates a greater potential for soil erosion due to water.

Example Calculation

Let's consider an example:

Erosivity Index (E): 50
Annual Rainfall Amount (P): 30 inches/year

Using the formula to calculate the R Factor:

\[ R = 50 \times 30 = 1500 \text{ ton*in/acre*hr*year} \]

This R Factor indicates the potential for soil erosion based on the erosivity index and annual rainfall amount.