Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda

Laboratory analysis of the infiltration capacity of interlocking concrete block pavements in car parks

Interlocking concrete block pavements (ICBPs) have been widely used in car parks to reduce runoff. Researches have demonstrated that clogging is the most influential factor in the reduction of the infiltration capacity of this type of permeable pavement. Nevertheless, there is no laboratory study of the infiltration performance of ICBPs that combines clogging levels with variables related with the topography of car parks such as runoff surface length (R(SL)) and surface slope (S(S)). This paper studies the infiltration behaviour of ICBP during their operational life in a car park using an improved version of the Cantabrian Fixed (CF) Infiltrometer. This laboratory device simulates direct rainfall and runoff from adjacent impervious areas over an ICBPs surface of 0.25 m(2) for different slopes (0, 3, 5, 7 and 10%) and three scenarios of clogging (surface newly built, surface clogged and surface clogged with maintenance). This paper presents the results of the tests and a statistical analysis based on three regression models (corresponding to each clogging scenario) depending on the R(SL) and S(S) variables. All models passed a confidence level of 95%, presenting high R(2) values and showing that R(SL) is a more influential variable than the S(S) for all clogging scenarios.

An evaluation of enhanced geotextile layer in permeable pavement to improve stormwater infiltration and attenuation

This paper reports on an evaluation of the properties of a novel structure known as OASIS® which was designed at Coventry University as an enhancement of the commercially available geotextiles when incorporated in the permeable pavement system (PPS). The impact on the hydraulic behaviour of a PPS was analysed through the study of infiltration rate, throughout the PPS and time required to reach the steady-state stage behaviour of the water within the PPS, under extreme rainfall intensities of 100 mm/hr, 200 mm/hr and 400 mm/hr, corresponding to a 100-year return period rainfall over a duration of 15 min in different parts of the world. The result indicated that the novel structure provides an extra benefit when incorporated in PPSs, delaying peak flow of a rainfall event by retaining and storing great volumes of water within its structure. These additional benefits are especially important under extreme rainfall events.

Influence of pervious pavement systems on heat dissipation from a horizontal geothermal system

Due to increasing energy demands, leading countries have focused on finding renewable energy sources. Geothermal Energy is a renewable, efficient, reliable and proven energy source for heating and cooling buildings. Among all the geothermal heat exchanger systems, geothermal paving systems couple the benefits of a permeable pavement system and a horizontal heat exchanger. This paper analyses the influence of different paving surfaces and sub-bases on the thermal performance of pavement section using a newly developed laboratory test. According to the temperature profiles observed, porous asphalt surface and limestone gravel sub-base combine to produce a system which insulates the most under ambient air conditions, while interlocked concrete block pavement surface and plastic cell sub-base dissipated the most heat.

Classification and Comparison of Snow Fences for the Protection of Transport Infrastructures

Blowing snow or sand transport generates serious problems, such as transport infrastructures buried under snow or sand, in many parts of the world. Some of the most important problems that snow and sand storms can cause include drivers trapped on the roads, indefinite traffic delays, accidents, and isolated populations. Snow fences provide a solution to this problem because they hold back the snow, preventing displacement and wind-induced drifting. In this way, they reduce these problems on transport infrastructures and improve visibility, providing safer driving conditions. In this review, a classification is proposed of snow fences into three basic types: earth, structural, and living snow fences. Among the structural fences, nonporous and porous snow fences are distinguished. The different possibilities in terms of the placement of snow fences are also analyzed. Finally, different types of snow fences have been compared under design, construction, and operation criteria. This review can provide initial guidelines for technicians to choose the best snow fence for blizzard conditions.

Development of a Geospatial Data-Based Methodology for Stormwater Management in Urban Areas Using Freely-Available Software

Intense urbanisation, combined with climate change impacts such as increased rainfall intensity, is overloading conventional drainage systems, increasing the number of combined sewer overflow events and making treatment plants outdated. There is a need for better urban planning, incorporating stormwater and flood management design in order to accurately design urban drainage networks. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools are capable of identifying and delineating the runoff flow direction, as well as accurately defining small-sized urban catchments using geospatial data. This study explores the synergies between GIS and stormwater management design tools for better land-use planning, providing a new methodology which has the potential to incorporate hydraulic and hydrological calculations into the design of urban areas. From data collection to final results, only freely available software and open platforms have been used: the U.S. EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), QGis, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, SagaGIS, and GrassGIS. Each of these tools alone cannot provide all the necessary functionalities for large-scale projects, but once linked to GISWATER, a unique, fast, efficient, and accurate work methodology results. A case study of a newly urbanised area in the city of Gijón (northern Spain) has been utilised to apply this new methodology.