Water Drainage Techniques, Materials, Processes, And Maintenance

Running head: WATER DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES 1

Water Drainage Techniques, Materials, Processes, and Maintenance

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WATER DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES 2

Water Drainage Techniques, Materials, Processes, and Maintenance

Drainage systems are an essential component of any structure. They help in maintaining

the stability of the structure, especially subgrades by removing excess moisture. They intercept,

control, and discharge surface water. Drainage systems play a critical role in ensuring that the

full-service life of engineering structures is achieved. In other cases, it also aids in conserving

natural resources. Due to the crucial role they play, drainages require special materials and

constant maintenance to perform efficiently. This essay will provide a comprehensive discussion

of drainage techniques, drainage materials, processes, and maintenance of the drainage systems.

Methods used for Drainage, their Processes, and Material Composition

The materials used in drainage systems enable them to function in unique ways (Stuyt,

Dierickx, & Beltrán, 2005). Based on the materials, drainage techniques can be classified as

infiltration techniques (involves draining water into the ground), permeable techniques, and

runoff slowing and prevention techniques.

Runoffs are noted to contribute significantly to the destruction of structures. For this

reason, there is the need to either slow it down or prevent it altogether. The use of permeable

surfaces and less impervious surfaces, such as impermeable pavements, is noted to reduce

runoffs. Permeable surfaces include grass and graveled areas. The functionality of the permeable

surfaces can be enhanced by the use of swales and filter strips that also provide conveyance and

infiltration (Forman, 2014; Houle, 2008).

The use of permeable techniques such as porous pavements also reduces water flow. This

is ensured by the use of permeable or graveled grass. Impervious pavements can also be made

permeable by leaving voids between the adjacent blocks, use of porous surfaces for construction,

WATER DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES 3

or build filter drains adjacent to the pavements. The voids act as routes for channeling excess

water that may collect in the event of heavy rains. Kaneshiro & Cuccia (2010) note that porous

asphalt can also be added to the bases of permeable surfaces to increase the water intake rate as

well as remove the pollutants in the drainage water.

Infiltration techniques are also used to contain excess water. This method drains water

into the ground. These techniques include the use of trenches, filter drains, soakaways, and

basins. Soakaways are also known as drainfields or leachfields. Trenches are made of stone with

spaces in between them. The spaces permit water to penetrate into the ground (Smith, 2005).

Filter drains are composed of permeable material with water storage and channeling

ability. Soakaways, on the other hand, are made from hardcore. Some medium-sized soakaways

are also made from granular materials while colossal soakaways ones are made from concrete

rings that are jointed and perforated (Stuyt, Dierickx, & Beltrán, 2005).

Maintenance of Drainage Systems

In order to ensure full-service life and a short payback period, drainage systems should be

maintained. The different drainage techniques are maintained using similar methods such that

one maintenance method can be applied to the other. However, some have specific maintenance

mechanisms that are to be followed strictly. Filter drains require occasional cleaning to ensure

the voids are open and clear as well as making them silt free. Weeds should also be removed to

prevent blockage (UNEP, 2000).

Infiltration techniques should regularly be inspected to maintain the infiltration capacity,

prevent a decrease in permeability and capability. This can be done by clearing areas draining

into the system to remove silt and putting sediment management systems upstream to remove

WATER DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES 4

mud. On the other hand, soakaways are maintained by cleaning them regularly to ensure

pollutants and substances do not accumulate (Smith, 2005).

In conclusion, the effects of running water can lead to the destruction or reduces the

service life of structures. As such, it is important for techniques to be developed to reduce or

prevent runoffs. These methods can include the use of permeable surfaces and draining runoffs

into the ground. The drainage techniques should regularly be maintained to ensure they function

as desired.

WATER DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES 5

References

Forman, R. T. T. (2014). Urban Ecology: Science of Cities. Cambridge University Press.

Houle, K. M. (2008). Winter Performance Assessment of Permeable Pavements: A Comparative

Study of Porous Asphalt, Pervious Concrete, and Conventional Asphalt in a Northern

Climate. ProQuest.

Kaneshiro, C., & Cuccia, P. (2010). The Architect’s Guide to Preventing Water Infiltration. John

Wiley & Sons.

Smith, P. G. (2005). Dictionary of Water and Waste Management. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Stuyt, L. C. P. M., Dierickx, W., & Beltrán, J. M. (2005). Materials for Subsurface Land

Drainage Systems. Food & Agriculture Org.

UNEP. (2010). Proceedings of the Workshop on Sustainable Wastewater and Stormwater

Management: Regional Workshop for the Latin America and the Caribbean : Rio de

Janeiro, 27-31 March 2000. (2000). UNEP/Earthprint.

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