Process Modeling of Storm-Water Flow in a Bioretention Cell
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 3
Abstract
A two-dimensional variable saturated flow model was developed to simulate subsurface flow in bioretention facilities employing the Richards’ equation. Variable hydrologic performances of bioretention are evaluated using the underdrain outflow hydrographs, outflow volumes for 10 storms with various duration and depth, and flow duration curves for 25 different storms. The effects of some important design parameters and elements are tested, including media type, surrounding soils, initial water content, ratio of drainage area to bioretention surface area, and ratio of cell length to width. Model results indicate that the outflow volume via underdrain is less than the inflow; the flow peak is significantly reduced and delayed. Underdrain outflow volume from loamy sand media (with larger ) is larger than that from sandy clay loam media. The saturated hydraulic conductivity, storage capacity, and exfiltration into surrounding soils contribute to the hydrologic performance of a bioretention cell. Initial media storage capacity is affected by the hydraulic properties of media soils, initial water content, and bioretention surface area. The exfiltration volume is determined by the surrounding soil type and exfiltration area, dominated by flow through the bottom of the media.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by TATE Incorporated, Germantown, Maryland.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 3 • March 2011
Pages: 121 - 131
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 2, 2009
Accepted: Jul 26, 2010
Published online: Jul 29, 2010
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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