Infiltration: Sizing and modeling

The depth of an infiltration facility is dependent on the native soil infiltration rate, porosity (void space ratio) of the gravel storage layer and the targeted time period to achieve complete drainage between storm events. The depth of the reservoir for designs without an underdrain can be calculated using the following equation:

d = (i × t_s)/ V_r

Where:
d = Stone reservoir depth (mm)
q = Infiltration coefficient for native soils (mm/hr) (See Infiltration for details on measurement and safety factors)
V_r = Void space ratio for aggregate(typically 0.4 for 50 mm clear stone)
t_s = Time to drain (48 hour recommended)

Notes:

• The infiltration coefficient (q) used above should incorporate a safety correction factor
• On highly permeable soils (e.g., infiltration rate of ≥ 45 mm/hr), a maximum depth of 2 m is recommended to prevent soil compaction and loss of permeability from the mass of overlying stone and stored water.
• For designs that include an underdrain, the above equation can be used to determine the maximum depth of the stone reservoir below the invert of the underdrain pipe.

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Once the depth of the stone reservoir is determined the water quality volume (WQV), can be used to determine the area needed using the following equation:

A_f = WQV /(d × V_r)

Where:
A_f = Area of facility (m²)
WQV = Water quality volume (m³)
d = Stone reservoir depth (m)
V_r = Void space ratio for aggregate (typically 0.4 for 50 mm clear stone)

The ratio of impervious drainage area to infiltration area should be between 5:1 and 20:1 to limit the rate of accumulation of fine sediments and clogging.

The natural ground material characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin.

The rate at which stormwater percolates into the subsoil measured in inches per hour.

The porosity (n) of a mixture is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the total or bulk volume of the mixture. It is closely related to the concept of void ratio (e) where void ratio is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the volume of solids. n = Volume of voids/Total volume of mixture = e/(1+e)

The void ratio (e) of a mixture is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the volume of solids. It is closely related to the concept of porosity (n) where porosity is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the total or bulk volume of the mixture. e = Volume of voids/Volume of solids = n/(1-n)

A perforated pipe used to assist the draining of soils.

An underlying bed filled with aggregate or other void-forming fill material that temporarily stores stormwater before infiltrating into the native soil or being conveyed by an underdrain pipe.

The void ratio (e) of a mixture is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the volume of solids. It is closely related to the concept of porosity (n) where porosity is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the total or bulk volume of the mixture. e = Volume of voids/Volume of solids = n/(1-n)

A broad category of particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates, and available in various particulate size gradations.

An underlying bed filled with aggregate or other void-forming fill material that temporarily stores stormwater before infiltrating into the native soil or being conveyed by an underdrain pipe.

The amount of stormwater runoff from a given area required to be retained by stormwater management practices to reduce pollutant load to an acceptable level.

The amount of stormwater runoff from a given area required to be retained by stormwater management practices to reduce pollutant load to an acceptable level.

A hard surface area (e.g., road, parking area or rooftop) that prevents or retards the infiltration of water into the soil.

The total surface area upstream of a point on a stream that drains toward that point. Not to be confused with watershed. The drainage area may include one or more watersheds.

Soil, sand and minerals washed from land into water, usually after rain. They pile up in reservoirs, rivers and harbors, destroying fish-nesting areas and holes of water animals and cloud the water so that needed sunlight might not reach aquatic plans. Careless farming, mining and building activities will expose sediment materials, allowing them to be washed off the land after rainfalls.