Planters: Sizing

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A flow-through planter comprises a ponding zone, mulch layer, filter media for planting, and a supporting gravel drainage layer

This article is specific to Flow-through stormwater planters, vegetated systems that do not infiltrate water to the native soil.
If you are designing a planted system which does infiltrate water, see advice on Bioretention: Sizing.

The dimensions of a stormwater planter are largely predetermined according to the function of the component. As they do not contain a storage reservoir the planters rely more upon careful selection of materials. Both the filter media and the perforations of the pipe play critical roles for flow control.

Component Recommended depth (with underdrain pipe) Typical void ratio (VR)
Ponding (dp) ≥ 300 mm 1
Mulch 75 ± 25 mm
  • 0.7 for wood based
  • 0.4 for aggregate
filter media (dm)
  • 300 mm to support turf grass (and accept only rainwater/roof runoff)
  • 600 mm to support flowering perennials and decorative grasses
  • 1000 mm to support trees
0.3
Pipe diameter reservoir Is equal to underdrain pipe diameter 0.4
Pipe bedding (db) 50 mm (although commonly omitted altogether). 0.4


Calculate the maximum overall depth[edit]

  • Step 1: Determine what the planting needs are and assign appropriate depth of media, using the table above.
  • Step 2: Select an underdrain pipe diameter (typically 100 - 200 mm), assign this as an 'embedding' depth.
  • Step 3: Calculate the maximum possible storage reservoir depth beneath the pipe (ds):

Where:

  • f' = Design infiltration rate in mm/hr, and
  • 38.4 comes from multiplying desired drainage time of 96 hours by void ratio of 0.4

Additional step for system without underdrain[edit]

  • Step 4: Determine maximum permissible ponding depth (dp):

Where:

  • f' = Design infiltration rate in mm/hr, and
  • 19.2 comes from multiplying desired drainage time of 48 hours by void ratio of 0.4. Note that conceptually the drainage of the ponded area is limited by ex-filtration at the base of the practice.
  • Step 5: Sum total depth of bioretention, and compare to available space above water table and bedrock. Adjust if necessary.

Calculate the remaining dimensions[edit]

  • Step 6: Multiply the depth of each separate component by the void ratio and then sum the total to find the 1 dimensional storage (in mm).
  • Step 7: Calculate the required total storage (m3):

Where:

  • RVCT is the Runoff volume control target (mm),
  • Ac is the catchment area (Ha),
  • C is the runoff coefficient of the catchment area, and
  • 0.1 is the units correction between m3 and mm.Ha.
  • Step 8. Divide required storage (m3) by the 1 dimensional storage (in m) to find the required footprint area (Ap) for the bioretention in m2.
  • Step 9. Calculate the peak flow rate (Qp, in L/s) through the filter media: