# Difference between revisions of "Infiltration trenches"

For a similar structure, which differs in being designed to receive excess flow and convey it, whilst promoting infiltration to native soils, see exfiltration trenches.

### Overview

As their name suggests infiltration trenches work primarily to infiltrate and convey stormwater. They are an underground facility and are excellently suited to connecting other components in the treatment train.

Infiltration trenches are an ideal technology for:

• Installing below any type of surface or landscape
• Balancing the requirements to infiltrate excess stormwater whilst conveying excess

The fundamental components of an infiltration trench are:

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### Design

#### Sizing

This is an image map; clicking on components will load the appropriate article.
• To calculate the required depth of an infiltration facility in a specified footprint area...
• To calculate the required footprint area of an infiltration facility with a known depth constraint....
• To calculate the drainage time of ponded water on the surface of a facility footprint...
• To calculate the drainage time of an underground infiltration facility...

The sizing calculations require that most of the following parameters be known or estimated. The exceptions are the depth (d) and the permeable footprint area of the practice (Ap), as only one of these is required to find the other. Note that some of these parameters can be limited by site conditions and factors influencing constructability:

1. The maximum total depth will be limited by construction practices i.e. usually ≤ 2 m to avoid the need for benching and shoring open cut excavations.
2. The maximum total depth may be limited by the conditions underground (e.g. water table or underlying geology/infrastructure).
3. The maximum total depth may be limited by the desire to install the practice below the maximum frost penetration depth in the proposed location.
4. The maximum total depth may be limited by the desire to support vegetation cover over it (e.g. at least 30 cm of planting soil backfill over the BMP to support grasses)
5. Infiltration trenches, chambers and bioretention have a maximum recommended I/P ratio of 20.
Inputs
Symbol Units Parameter
D h Duration of design storm
i mm/h Intensity of design storm
f' mm/h Design infiltration rate of the underlying native soil, calculated from measured infiltration rate and applied safety factor
n - Porosity of the aggregate or other void-forming fill material(s) in the storage reservoir of the practice.
*Note: For systems that have significant storage in open chambers surrounded by clear stone aggregate, an effective porosity value (n') may be estimated for the whole installation and used in the calculations below. Effective porosity will vary according to the geometry of the storage chambers, so advice should be sought from product manufacturers. Permit applications should include the basis for n' estimates.
Ai m2 Catchment impervious area
dr m Water storage reservoir depth. For practices without an underdrain (i.e. full infiltration design), dr is the total depth of the practice (i.e. includes surface ponding and filter media depths). For practices with an underdrain (i.e. partial infiltration design), dr is the depth below the invert of the underdrain perforated pipe outlet.
Ap m2 Permeable footprint area of the practice. For practices where runoff is directed to a surface ponding area, Ap is the surface ponding area. For practices where runoff is directed to a subsurface water storage reservoir, Ap is the footprint area of the storage reservoir, Ar
x m Perimeter of the practice
Kf mm/h Minimum acceptable saturated hydraulic conductivity of the filter media or planting soil used in the practice, when compacted to 85% maximum dry density

This spreadsheet tool has been set up to perform all of the infiltration practice sizing calculations shown below

## To calculate the required storage reservoir footprint area where the depth is fixed or constrained (1D drainage)

To ensure that the water storage capacity of the facility is available at the onset of a storm event, it is recommended to size the storage reservoir despth, dr, based on the depth of water that will drain via infiltration between storm events. So dr can be calculated as
: ${\displaystyle d_{r}=({\frac {f'}{1000}})\times t}$ Where
t = drainage time, based on local criteria or long-term average inter-event period for the location.

In many locations there may be a limited depth of soil available above the seasonally high water table or top of bedrock elevation into which stormwater may be infiltrated. In such cases the required storage needs to be distributed more widely across the landscape.
Where the storage reservoir depth is fixed or constrained the footprint area of the water storage reservoir, Ar can be calculated: ${\displaystyle A_{r}={\frac {i\times D\times Ai}{(n\times d_{r})+f'D}}}$

## To calculate the required storage reservoir depth where the area is fixed or constrained (1D drainage)

On densely developed sites, the surface area available for the practice may be constrained. In such cases the required storage reservoir depth, dr of the bioretention cell or infiltration trench can be calculated based on available surface area, Ap:

${\displaystyle d_{r}={\frac {D\left[\left({\frac {Ai}{Ap}}\right)i-f'\right]}{n}}}$

Note that in most cases the results of this calculation will be very similar to those from the equation below assuming three-dimensional drainage.

## To calculate the required storage reservoir depth, where the area is fixed or constrained (3D drainage)

On densely developed sites, the surface area available for the facility may be constrained. In such cases the required water storage reservoir depth of the bioretention cell or infiltration trench, d, can be calculated assuming three-dimensional drainage as follows

${\displaystyle d_{r}=a[e^{\left(-bD\right)}-1]}$

Where

${\displaystyle a={\frac {A_{r}}{x}}-{\frac {i\times A_{i}}{x\times f'}}}$

and

${\displaystyle b={\frac {x\times f'}{n\times A_{r}}}}$

(The rearrangement to calculate the required footprint area of the facility for a given depth assuming three-dimensional drainage is not available at this time. Elegant submissions are invited.)

## Time required to drain surface ponded water (1D drainage)

The following equation assumes one dimensional drainage over the surface ponding area. It is best applied to calculate the maximum duration of ponding on the surface of bioretention cells, and upstream of the check dams of bioswales and enhanced grass swales to ensure all surface ponding drains within 48 hours. To calculate the time (t) to fully drain surface ponded water through the filter media or planting soil: ${\displaystyle t={\frac {d_{p}'}{K_{f}}}}$ Where
dp' is the effective or mean surface ponding depth (mm).
Kf is the minimum acceptable saturated hydraulic conductivity of the filter media or planting soil when compacted to 85% maximum dry density (mm/h).

## Time to drain the storage reservoir

The target drainage time for the active storage reservoir depth of an infiltration facility is typically between 48 and 72 hours or based on the average inter-event period for the location. Contact the local municipality or conservation authority for criteria. See Drainage time for more information about how inter-event periods vary across Ontario and to help select what is suitable for the site.

Try the Darcy drainage time calculator tool for estimating the time required to fully drain the water storage reservoir of the facility assuming either one or three-dimensional drainage:

Three footprint areas of 9 m2.
From left to right x = 12 m, x = 20 m

For some geometries, particularly deep or linear facilities, it desirable to account for lateral drainage, out the sides of the storage reservoir. The following equation makes use of the hydraulic radius (Ar/x), where x is the perimeter (m) of the facility.
Maximizing the perimeter of the water storage reservoir of the facility will enhance drainage performance and directs designers towards longer, linear shapes such as infiltration trenches and bioswales. See illustration for an example.

To calculate the time (t) to fully drain the facility assuming three-dimensional drainage: ${\displaystyle t={\frac {n\times A_{r}}{f'\times x}}ln\left[{\frac {\left(d_{r}{\frac {A_{r}}{x}}\right)}{\left({\frac {A_{r}}{x}}\right)}}\right]}$ Where "ln" means natural logarithm of the term in square brackets
Adapted from CIRIA, The SUDS Manual C753 (2015).

### Materials

##### Aggregate

This is a collection of three articles with the common theme of being aggregate products for various applications in LID.

## Underground construction aggregates

### For reservoirs

Note the uniform size and angularity of this clear stone sample. Note also that the fragments all appear to have a film of fine particles adhering; this material would be improved by being washed prior to use.

This article gives recommendations for aggregate to be used to store water for infiltration. This is usually called 'clear stone' at aggregate yards.

To see an analysis of Ontario Standard Specifications for granular materials, see OPSS aggregates.

For advice on decorative surface aggregates see Stone

Gravel used for underdrains in bioretention, infiltration trenches and chambers, and exfiltration trenches should be 20 or 50 mm, uniformly-graded, clean (maximum wash loss of 0.5%), crushed angular stone that has a porosity of 0.4[1].

The clean wash to prevent rapid accumulation of fines from the aggregate particles in the base of the reservoir. The uniform grading and the angularity are important to maintain pore throats and clear voids between particles. (i.e. achieve the porosity). Porosity and permeability are directly influenced by the size, gradation and angularity of the particles [2]. See jar test for on-site verification testing protocols.

Gravel with structural requirements should also meet the following criteria:

• Minimum durability index of 35
• Maximum abrasion of 10% for 100 revolutions and maximum of 50% for 500 revolutions

Standard specifications for the gradation of aggregates are maintained by ASTM D2940

### For choking/choker layers

medium sized granular, free from fines

In bioretention systems a choker layer of ≥ 100 mm depth is the recommended method to prevent migration of finer filter media into the underlying storage reservoir aggregate. These same mid-sized granular materials are recommended for use in Stormwater planter underdrains and may be useful in the fine grading of foundations courses for permeable pavements.

Suitable materials include:

High performance bedding (HPB)
Clean, angular aggregate screened to between 6 and 10 mm. Widely available and designed specifically for drainage applications. Free from fines by definition.
HL 6
Is a clean, angular aggregate screened between 10 and 20 mm. Free from fines by definition.
Pea Gravel
Rounded natural aggregate, screened between 5 and 15 mm, and washed free from fines.

In most scenarios, a geotextile layer is unnecessary and has been associated with rapid decline and clogging in some circumstances.

### OPS Aggregates

Of the standard granular materials in the standard OPSS.MUNI 1010 only Granular O is recommended as a substitute for clear stone in LID construction.

Where Granular O is substituted for clear stone in underground reservoir structures, the porosity used in design calculations shall be 0.3 unless laboratory testing proves otherwise.

Examples of BMPs with underground reservoirs include Underdrains, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, infiltration chambers, exfiltration trenches.

All other mixes must be avoided for free drainage or storage as they are permitted to contain a higher enough proportion of fines to reduce permeability below 50 mm/hr.

## Landscaping aggregates

This rain garden in a school yard uses stone as both decorative edging and for erosion control.
This bioswale in a parking lot uses stone at the inlets and along the bottom of the swale to prevent erosion, as the sides are sloped.

For advice on aggregates used in underdrains, see Reservoir aggregate.

Stone or gravel can serve as a low maintenance decorative feature, but it may also serve many practical functions on the surface of an LID practice.

### Stone for erosion control

Aggregates used to line swales or otherwise dissipate energy (e.g. in forebays) should have high angularity to increase the permissible shear stress applied by the flow of water. [3] However, in some surface landscaped applications there may be a desire to use a rounded aggregate such as 'river rock' for aesthetic reasons. Rounded stones should be of sufficient size to resist being moved by the flow of water. Typical stone for this purpose ranges between 50 mm and 250 mm in diameter. The larger the stone, the more energy dissipation.

• Stone beds should be twice as thick as the largest stone's diameter.
• If the stone bed is underlain by a drainage geotextile, annual inspection and possible replacement should be performed as there is a potential for clogging of this layer to occur.

### Stone mulch

Finer inorganic mulch materials can be of value applied in areas with extended ponding times i.e. in the the centre of recessed, bowl shaped bioretention, stormwater planters, trenches or swale practices. Inorganic mulches resist movement from flowing water and do not float. Applying a thin layer of inorganic mulch over the top of wood based mulch has been shown to reduce migration of the underlying layer by around 25% [4]. Inorganic mulches which may be available locally, include:

• Pea gravel
• River rock/beach stone
• Recycled glass
• Crushed mussel shells

## On-site verification

Steps in conducting a jar test to detect fines in construction materials

Specifying that aggregates for the construction of LID practices must be free from fines is important. But checking that the delivered materials meet specification is essential to reduce problems with construction and longer term performance.

When possible, Construction Managers should observe the offloading of materials to watch for dust clouds. Aggregates or sand for LID construction should not give rise to clouds of dust when dumped.

A simple jar test can be used to gauge the proportion of fines in an aggregate product before acceptance.

Apparatus:

• A large wide-mouthed jar - glass or clear plastic are both fine,
• Tap water, and
• The aggregate to be tested.

Method:

1. Collect approximately 5 cm of material in the jar (or at least two complete layers of 50 mm clear stone),
2. Add water to around 3/4 full,
3. Secure cap and shake,
4. Leave for at least 30 minutes and until the water is clear - plan to run the test overnight when possible,
5. Examine the layer of sediment - if > 3 mm has been washed from 5 cm of product, the material should be rejected,

Note that the sediment may collect on top of, or at the bottom of the construction material.

## External references

##### Perforated Pipe
Pipes are available with perforations on just one side, these should be situated on the lower half of the pipe. Pipes with 360° perforations should have a strip of geotextile or membrane placed over the pipe to reduce the migration of fines from overlying media.

Perforated pipes are a common component of underdrains used in bioretention, permeable pavements, infiltration trenches and exfiltration systems.

Pipes should be manufactured in conformity with the latest standards by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or ASTM International.

• Perforated pipes should be continuously perforated, smooth interior HDPE or PVC.
• Wherever possible pipes should be ≥200 mm internal diameter to reduce potential of freezing and to facilitate push camera inspections and cleaning with jet nozzle equipment.
• Smooth interior facilitates inspection and maintenance activities; internal corrugations can cause cameras or hydrojetting apparatus to become snagged.
• A perforated pipe with many rectangular slots has better drainage characteristics than a pipe with similar open area provided by fewer circular holes [5].
• Non-perforated pipes should be used for conveyance of stormwater to and from the facility, including overflow. It is good practice to extend the solid pipe approximately 300 mm within the reservoir or practice to reduce the potential for native soil migration into the pipe.

### Construction

The following presents a summary of considerations when planning the construction of a low impact development project. More details can be found in the following reference:[6]

• The site of the infiltration facility must remain outside the limit of disturbance and blocked from site traffic until construction of the facility begins, to prevent soil compaction by heavy equipment.
• This area must not be used as the site of sediment basins during construction, as the concentration of fines will reduce post-construction infiltration.
• This area must not be use as a staging area, for storing materials.
• To prevent sediment from clogging the surface, stormwater must be diverted away from the facility until the drainage area is fully stabilized.
• As many infiltration facilities are installed in the road right-of-way or tight urban spaces, considerations of traffic control and utility conflicts must be part of the plans and inspections.

## Sequencing

The following is a typical construction sequence to properly install an infiltration practice:

• The area should be fully protected by silt fence or construction fencing to prevent compaction by construction traffic and equipment.
• Installation may only begin after entire contributing drainage area has been either stabilized or flows have been safely routed around the area. The designer should check the boundaries of the contributing drainage area to ensure it conforms to original design.
• The pretreatment part of the design should be excavated first and sealed until full construction is completed.
• Excavators or backhoes working adjacent to the proposed infiltration area should excavate to the appropriate design depth.
• The soil in the bottom of the excavation should be ripped to promote greater infiltration.
• Any accidental sediment accumulation from construction should be removed at this time.

1. Excavate subsurface water storage reservoir to base elevation,
2. Check base elevation and slope,
3. Fracture/rip bottom and roughen side of the excavation to remove smeared surfaces,
4. Install optional geotextiles (or liner for biofilter); overlapping according to design drawings,
5. Install coarse reservoir gravel, and any void forming structures (e.g. underdrains, infiltration chambers, or wells),
6. Check elevation and slope at top of reservoir,
7. Install choking layer and optional geotextile (typically only over the perforated pipe),
8. Check elevation and slope at top of choking layer,
9. Install filter media with additional 30 cm over finish grade of the filter bed,
10. Thoroughly saturate and allow to settle for at least one week. After this time, tamp manually to check settling is complete. Alternatively, installations made in the fall can be left to settle over the whole winter season at this point,
11. Install temporary erosion and sediment control practices,
12. Conduct all other site construction activities (buildings/servicing etc.)
13. Check condition of bioretention after settling period, remediate any deficiencies,
14. Install curbs and pavements and concrete pretreatment devices,
15. Check elevations of curb cuts and other inlets
16. Install erosion control to all inlets!!
17. Remove excess filter media along with any accumulated construction sediment,
18. Install any surface applied additives,
19. Conduct fine grading to surface of filter bed, checking elevations/slopes/compaction,
20. Apply stone or mulch cover for decorative systems, or turf reinforcement for grassed systems,
21. Install erosion control blankets or matting
22. Plant or lay sod,
23. Saturated system thoroughly to settle filer media particles around the roots of new plants,
24. Irrigated the system as required to establish healthy vegetation cover,
25. Inspect and remediate deficiencies after any significant rainfall within the next 3 months or remainder of the first growing season.

## Facilities containing media

### Bioretention

Sequencing depends on the design:

• Full infiltration:Pack 50 mm diameter clear stone to storage design depth, top with 100 mm of the choker course,
• Partial infiltration:Place design depth of 50 mm diameter clear stone for the infiltration volume on bed and then lay the perforated underdrain pipe over it. Pack more clear stone to 75 mm above the top of the underdrain, top with 100 mm of choker layer.

### Stormwater planters

• Place an impermeable liner on the bed with 150 mm overlap on sides. Lay the perforated underdrain pipe, Pack 50 mm diameter clear stone to 75 mm above top of underdrain, top with 100 mm of choker layer;

### Rain gardens

No storage or drainage is required, filter media or amended topsoil is laid onto native soils

### Media installation

Media installed over the choker course in 0.3 m lifts until desired top elevation is achieved. Each lift must be thoroughly wetted and drained before adding the next. Wait three weeks to check for settling, and add additional media and regrade as needed.

• Prepare planting holes for any trees and shrubs, install vegetation, and water accordingly.
• Install any temporary irrigation.
• Plant landscaping materials as shown in the landscaping plan, and water them weekly in the first two months.
• Lay down surface cover in accordance with the design (mulch, riverstone, or turf).
• Conduct final construction inspection, checking inlet, pretreatment, bioretention cell and outlet elevations.
• Remove erosion and sediment controls, only when the entire drainage area is stabilized.

## Checklists

### Incentives and Credits

#### LEED BD + C v. 4

• Two points (or 1 point for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 95th percentile of regional or local rainfall events."
• Three points (or 2 points for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 98th percentile of regional or local rainfall events."

OR

• For zero-lot-line projects only, 3 points (or 2 points for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 85th percentile of regional or local rainfall events."

#### SITES v.2

1. REDIRECT Special:ArticleFeedbackv5
1. Porosity of Structural Backfill, Tech Sheet #1, Stormtech, Nov 2012, http://www.stormtech.com/download_files/pdf/techsheet1.pdf accessed 16 October 2017
2. Judge, Aaron, "Measurement of the Hydraulic Conductivity of Gravels Using a Laboratory Permeameter and Silty Sands Using Field Testing with Observation Wells" (2013). Dissertations. 746. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/open_access_dissertations/746
3. Roger T. Kilgore and George K. Cotton, (2005) Design of Roadside Channels with Flexible Linings Hydraulic Engineering Circular Number 15, Third Edition https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/05114/05114.pdf
4. Simcock, R and Dando, J. 2013. Mulch specification for stormwater bioretention devices. Prepared by Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd for Auckland Council. Auckland Council technical report, TR2013/056
5. Hazenberg, G., and U. S. Panu (1991), Theoretical analysis of flow rate into perforated drain tubes, Water Resour. Res., 27(7), 1411–1418, doi:10.1029/91WR00779.
6. [https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CVC-LID-Construction-Guide-Book.pdf Construction Guide for Low Impact Development, CVC (2013)