A closed-loop analysis approach for ensuring stormwater source control design solution to achieve the intended goals

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Urban Hydrology
• Water Resource Management

Background:

• Urbanization increases impervious surfaces, leading to stormwater runoff issues.
• Current stormwater source control design methods in China rely on daily rainfall data, potentially causing performance deviations.
• Existing methods may not accurately reflect real-world performance across diverse rainfall events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel closed-loop analysis (CLA) framework for enhancing stormwater source control design.
• To address limitations of current daily design storm approaches by incorporating feedback mechanisms.
• To improve the accuracy and reliability of stormwater source control designs.

Main Methods:

• Developed four CLA methods: hourly design storm analysis, model credibility examination, design storm determination for systems without underdrains, and parameter optimization for systems with underdrains.
• Utilized a 30-year simulation period for data feedback and performance evaluation.
• Applied a stormwater mathematical model for comprehensive analysis.

Main Results:

• Case study in Xiamen demonstrated the credibility of 30-year simulation results for CLA.
• Designs without underdrains achieved intended rainfall volume capture ratios (αg) within ±3%.
• Designs with underdrains met αg targets and restored natural runoff patterns, achieving high similarity in runoff frequency spectra (0.670-0.691).

Conclusions:

• Closed-loop analysis (CLA) offers a robust methodological advancement for stormwater source control design.
• CLA ensures designs meet performance targets and promotes more natural hydrological conditions.
• The proposed framework enhances the effectiveness of urban stormwater management strategies.