Drainage
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Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and
History
Early history
The
18th and 19th century
The invention of hollow-pipe drainage is credited to Sir Hugh Dalrymple, who died in 1753.[2]
Current practices
Geotextiles
New storm water drainage systems incorporate
Alternatively, a prefabricated plastic drainage system made of
Over the past 30 years, geotextile, PVC filters, and HDPE filters have become the most commonly used soil filter media. They are cheap to produce and easy to lay, with factory controlled properties that ensure long term filtration performance even in fine silty soil conditions.
21st century alternatives
Seattle's Public Utilities created a pilot program called Street Edge Alternatives Project. The project focuses on designing a system "to provide drainage that more closely mimics the natural landscape prior to development than traditional piped systems".[3] The streets are characterized by ditches along the side of the roadway, with plantings designed throughout the area. An emphasis on non-curbed sidewalks allows water to flow more freely into the areas of permeable surface on the side of the streets. Because of the plantings, the run off water from the urban area does not all directly go into the ground, but can also be absorbed into the surrounding environment. Monitoring conducted by Seattle Public Utilities reports a 99 percent reduction of storm water leaving the drainage project.[3]
Drainage has undergone a large-scale environmental review in the recent past[
Slot drainage is a channel drainage system designed to eliminate the need for further pipework systems to be installed in parallel to the drainage, reducing the environmental impact of production as well as improving water collection. Stainless steel, concrete channel, PVC and HDPE are all materials available for slot drainage which have become industry standards on construction projects.
Drainage in the construction industry
The civil engineer is responsible for drainage in construction projects. During the construction process, they set out all the necessary levels for roads, street gutters, drainage, culverts and sewers involved in construction operations.
Civil engineers and construction managers work alongside architects and supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors, and the general workforce, as well as subcontractors. Typically, most jurisdictions have some body of drainage law to govern to what degree a landowner can alter the drainage from their parcel.
Drainage options for the construction industry include:
- Point drainage, which intercepts water at gullies(points). Gullies connect to drainage pipes beneath the ground surface, so deep excavation is required to facilitate this system. Support for deep trenches is required in the shape of planking, strutting or shoring.
- Channel drainage, which intercepts water along the entire run of the channel. Channel drainage is typically manufactured from concrete, steel, polymer or composites. The interception rate of channel drainage is greater than point drainage and the excavation required is usually much less deep.
The surface opening of channel drainage usually comes in the form of
Drainage in retaining walls
Earth retaining structures such as
Drainage in planters
Drainage in planters refers to the implementation of effective drainage systems specifically designed for plant containers or pots. Proper drainage is crucial in planters to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy plant growth. Planter Drainage involves the incorporation of drainage holes, drainage layers, or specialized drainage systems to ensure excess water can escape from the planter. This helps to prevent root rot, water accumulation, and other issues that can negatively impact plant health. By providing adequate drainage in planters, it supports optimal plant growth and contributes to the overall success of gardening or landscaping projects.[4]
Drainage options for the planter include:
- Surface drains are typically used to manage runoff from paved surfaces, such as sidewalks and parking lots. Catch basins, which collect water and debris, are connected to underground pipes that carry the water away from the site.[4]
- Subsurface drains, on the other hand, are designed to manage water that seeps into the soil beneath the planting surface. French drains, which are gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipes at the bottom, are the most common type of subsurface drain. Trench drains, which are similar but shallower and wider, are also used in some situations.[4]
Reasons for artificial drainage
The largest project of this type in the world has been in process for centuries in the
In moist climates, soils may be adequate for cropping with the exception that they become waterlogged for brief periods each year, from snow melt or from heavy rains. Soils that are predominantly clay will pass water very slowly downward, meanwhile plant roots suffocate because the excessive water around the roots eliminates air movement through the soil.
Other soils may have an
Drier areas are often farmed by irrigation, and one would not consider drainage necessary. However, irrigation water always contains minerals and salts, which can be concentrated to toxic levels by evapotranspiration. Irrigated land may need periodic flushes with excessive irrigation water and drainage to control soil salinity.
See also
- Bar ditch
- Building construction
- Deep drainage
- Drain commissioner
- Drain (plumbing)
- Drainage basin or watershed
- Drainage by wells
- Drainage divide or watershed
- Drainage equation
- Drainage research
- Drainage system (agriculture)
- Drainage system (geomorphology)
- Geomorphology
- Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance
- Hydrology
- John Johnston, who introduced land drainage to the United States.
- Plumbing
- Potable cold and hot water supply
- Septic systems
- Sewage traps, drains, and vents
- Rain gutter
- Retaining wall
- Sewage collection and disposal
- Soil salinity control by subsurface drainage
- Tile drainage
- Trench drain
- Trencher (machine)
- Urban exploration
- Watertable control
References
- ISBN 0-7112-0036-X.
- ^ "Broadside eulogy dedicated to Patrick, Earl of Marchmount, Sir Hugh Dalrymple, and others". National Library of Scotland Digital Gallery. 1705. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Street Edge Alternatives (SEA Streets) Project". Seattle.gov. Archived from the original on Dec 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c "4 Expert Tips for Perfect Planter Drainage". drainservice.org. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.