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A flexible framework for process-based hydraulic and water quality modeling of stormwater green infrastructure performance
Citation:
Masoudieh, A., S. Gharavi, S. Aflaki, S. Panguluri, M. Tryby, AND C. Nietch. A flexible framework for process-based hydraulic and water quality modeling of stormwater green infrastructure performance. Presented at World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2016, West Palm Beach, FL, May 22 - 26, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
GI model predictions are being relied upon by many municipalities and State/Local agencies to make decisions about grey vs. green infrastructure improvement planning. Adding complexity to GI modeling frameworks may preclude their use in simpler urban planning situations. Therefore, the goal here was to develop a sophisticated, yet flexible tool that could be used by design engineers and researchers to capture and explore the effect of design factors and properties of the media used in the performance of GI systems at a relatively small scale.
Description:
Background Models that allow for design considerations of green infrastructure (GI) practices to control stormwater runoff and associated contaminants have received considerable attention in recent years. While popular, generally, the GI models are relatively simplistic. However, GI model predictions are being relied upon by many municipalities and State/Local agencies to make decisions about grey vs. green infrastructure improvement planning. Adding complexity to GI modeling frameworks may preclude their use in simpler urban planning situations. Therefore, the goal here was to develop a sophisticated, yet flexible tool that could be used by design engineers and researchers to capture and explore the effect of design factors and properties of the media used in the performance of GI systems at a relatively small scale. We deemed it essential to have a flexible GI modeling tool that is capable of simulating GI system components and specific biophysical processes affecting contaminants such as reactions, and particle-associated transport accurately while maintaining a high degree of flexibly to account for the myriad of GI alternatives. The mathematical framework for a stand-alone GI performance assessment tool has been developed and will be demonstrated.Framework Features The process-based model framework developed here can be used to model a diverse range of GI practices such as green roof, retention pond, bioretention, infiltration trench, permeable pavement and other custom-designed combinatory systems. Results We demonstrate the utility of this GI modeling framework to simulate flow and transport in bioretention and permeable pavement GI systems. We also describe the flow and transport over a parking lot surface and a small stream.
