Parameterizing a Water-Balance Model for Predicting Stormwater Runoff from Green Roofs
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 12
Abstract
Crop coefficients () were calculated for three different species of common green roof succulents from March to November in 2011, to parameterize the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Penman-Monteith equation for use in a mechanistic green roof water-balance model. Seasonally averaged values for each species for 2011 were used to predict plant evapotranspiration () in 2012. The adjusted FAO Penman-Monteith equation predicted the total annual within 3–13 mm, a substantial improvement over model predictions with set to 1, which overpredicted by 100 mm or more, depending on the species. The adjusted equation was inserted in water-balance models, which predicted runoff within 2–13% of measured totals for 2012. This discrepancy may be explained by variability in maximum water-holding capacity, which is difficult for two-dimensional models to predict. Nevertheless, these results provide increased confidence in the use of models to predict stormwater runoff from green roofs, and evaluate performance. Monitoring multiple green roof installations with cost-effective sensor networks will increase the ability to identify the key components to enhance green roof function, reduce stormwater runoff, and inform future design.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by funding through a U.S. Department of Agriculture specialty crop research initiative grant (SCRI 2009-51181-05768), and a Sigma Xi grant to Olyssa Starry. Both Emory Knoll Farms and Conservation Technology provided our plants and green roof supplies, respectively, at a generous discount.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 21 • Issue 12 • December 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 28, 2015
Accepted: Jun 20, 2016
Published online: Aug 11, 2016
Published in print: Dec 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jan 11, 2017
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