Quantification of energy losses at a surcharging manhole

Hydraulic models of sewer systems are commonly used to predict the risk of urban flooding. However, suitable calibration datasets in flood conditions are scarce. The quantification of energy losses within manhole structures is a current source of uncertainty within such models. To address this gap, a scaled physical manhole model is used to quantify hydraulic energy losses during surcharging and non-surcharging conditions. Two different novel configurations were tested; (1) With and without the presence of a manhole lid; (2) With and without the presence of a shallow flow on the surface. Results showed that total head losses were found to increase in surcharging conditions. The presence of the lid also marginally increased total head losses. The datasets are used to assess the performance of a numerical urban flood model (SIPSON) and comparisons highlighted that SIPSON tends to overestimate energy losses in surcharging conditions.     

Modelling sewer discharge via displacement of manhole covers during flood events using 1D/2D SIPSON/P-DWave dual drainage simulations

In urban areas, overloaded sewers may result in surcharge that causes surface flooding. The overflow from sewer systems mainly starts at the inlets until the pressure head in the manhole is high enough to lift up its cover, at which stage the surcharged flow may be discharged via the gap between the bottom of the manhole cover and the ground surface. In this paper, we propose a new approach to simulate such a dynamic between the sewer and the surface flow in coupled surface and sewer flow modelling. Two case studies are employed to demonstrate the differences between the new linking model and the traditional model that simplifies the process. The results show that the new approach is capable of describing the physical phenomena when manhole covers restrict the drainage flow from the surface to the sewer network and reduce the surcharge flow and vice versa.     

Numerical investigation of the effects of combining sewer junction characteristics on the hydraulic parameters of flow in fully surcharged condition

In this study, the effects of different parameters on flow structure and flow hydraulics for combining sewer junction consisting of manhole and lateral inflow were investigated numerically. For this purpose, the effects of dimension variations, main and lateral pipe slope, angle and the joint position of lateral pipe beside manhole, manhole geometry, and the outflow rate of manhole on flow structure and energy loss coefficients were investigated. Results show that the rate of energy loss decreases by heightening the installation position of lateral pipe beside manhole. In addition, it was shown that the slope variations of main and lateral pipes and outflow rate do not affect the rate of energy loss.     

The importance of gully flow modelling to urban flood simulation

ABSTRACT

Urban flood simulation often ignores or simplifies the function of underground gully systems due to data and computational limitations. To discover the influence of gullies on urban flooding, a novel approach is proposed in this study, by fully-coupling a 1D gully flow model (GFM), a 1D sewer flow model (SFM), and a 2D overland flow model (OFM) to simultaneously simulate the flow exchanges between surface, gullies and sewer pipes. This fully-coupled approach is compared with a simplified approach which directly introduces surface water into sewer pipes without being via gullies. The validation results show that the fully-coupled approach considerably reduces the underestimation of flood extent by 27% compared with the simplified approach. Without considering the capacity of lateral tubes between gullies and sewer pipes, the simplified approach over-drains the surface water into sewer pipes. The modelling of gully flow is crucial for correctly evaluating the efficiency of drainage systems.     

Optimization of sewer networks using the mixed-integer linear programming

This paper introduces a method for optimizing sewer networks using the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) for a given layout. The objective function is defined as the sum of the costs for pipe purchase, pipe-laying, and manhole construction expressed in linear terms and subject to minimum and maximum allowable slopes, velocities, and relative depths for both minimum and maximum sewage discharge rates in each pipe. Additionally, provisions are made as constraints or conditions to ensure that a minimum pipe cover is required, that pipe diameters do not decrease in the flow direction, and that pipes maintain a steady elevation at each manhole. All the non-linear constraints are transformed into the linear format. Pipe slope, binary variables accounting for commercial pipe diameters and average implemented depths have also been considered as decision variables. Finally, the performance of the proposed optimization method is evaluated in a benchmark sewer network from the literature.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of urban flood risk assessment

Urban flood risk assessment requires quantification of uncertainty that is spatially and temporally variable. This paper presents a new approach to urban flood risk assessment by: (a) integrating objective and subjective uncertainties and (b) providing full insight into spatial and temporal change of flood risk. A 1-D storm sewer model and a 2-D surface flow model are integrated to describe the dynamic interactions between overland flow on the streets and flow through the storm sewer network. The fuzzy set theory approach is used to assess spatial and temporal variability of urban flood damage, and the acceptable level of partial flood damage. The spatial and temporal variability of fuzzy performance indices: (i) combined reliability-vulnerability; (ii) robustness and (iii) resiliency, are generated as the outcome of the urban flood risk analysis. The methodology is illustrated using the residential community of Cedar Hollow (London, Ontario, Canada) as a case study.     

Experimental estimation of the head loss coefficient at surcharged four-way junction manholes

ABSTRACT

The head loss caused by the surcharged flow from four-way junction manholes is the main cause of increased flood damage in urban areas. The flow pattern significantly varies depending on the inflow conditions of the inlet pipes and constitutes the flow conditions of a four-way junction manhole, three-way junction manholes, and middle manholes. Therefore, the head loss changes with various manhole shapes must be analyzed. In this study, physical model study apparatus was prepared. Various flow rate conditions were selected by changing the flow rate ratios of the inlet pipes at 10% intervals. The head loss coefficients were also estimated. A head loss coefficient range diagram was generated based on the results. A head loss coefficient empirical formula that considers all flow conditions for surcharged four-way junction manholes is proposed. The proposed equation should be applicable to the design and assessment of drainage systems with varying inlet pipe flow rates.     

Optimal design program for gravity sanitary sewers

The development and implementation of a Fortran computer program called OGSDP to design a least-cost gravity sanitary sewer system are presented. OGSDP is a model that finds the least-cost design for a non-looping, gravity sanitary sewerage system for a given set of design parameters, costs and lay-out. The final design is the least-cost combination of pipe sizes, upstream and downstream invert elevations (of each pipe) and the corresponding manhole sizes. OGSDP respects most Ten States Standards' (1978) design guidelines. OGSDP determines an initial sewer system design using a heuristic procedure, and then improves the design using discrete dynamic programming with successive approximations to obtain the final least-cost design. It is a practical and efficient tool in the design of sanitary sewer systems.     

Grey-box modelling of pollutant loads from a sewer system

Using a compact measuring unit with on-line meters for UV absorption and turbidity, it is possible to determine concentrations of organic load (chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids (SS)) anywhere in a sewer system. When measurements of the flow are available as well, the pollutant mass flow at the measuring point can be calculated.The measured data are used to estimate different models describing the load of pollutants in the sewer. A comparison of the models shows that a grey-box model is most informative and best in terms measured by the multiple correlation coefficient. The grey-box model is a state-space model, where the state represents the actual amount of deposition in the sewer, and the output from the model is the pollutant mass flow to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The model is formulated by means of stochastic differential equations. Harmonic functions are used to describe the dry weather diurnal load profiles. It is found that the accumulation of deposits in the sewer depends on previous rain events and flows.By means of on-line use of the grey-box models, it is possible to predict the amount of pollutants in a first flush at any time, and hence from the capacity of the plant to decide if and when the available detention basin is to be used for storage of wastewater. The mass flow models comprise an important improvement of the integrated control of sewer and WWTP including control of equalisation basins in the sewer system. Further improvements are expected by the introduction of an additive model where dry weather situations and storm situations are modelled separately before addition to the resulting model.     

Air-water flows in circular drop manholes

Drop manholes, a typical element of urban drainage networks in steep catchments and in reaches of supercritical flow, enhance air entrainment and entrapment. The air flow across drop shafts can be remarkably high.

This paper discusses the air transport phenomena and the effects of ventilation absence in drop manholes. Based on an extensive experimental study, air entrainment mechanisms have been accurately described and air demand has been evaluated in different flow regimes. In addition, the effects of ventilation absence on the hydraulics of circular drop manholes, with emphasis on sub-atmospheric pressure onset and pool depth raising, have been investigated. The effects of a possible air flow recirculation have also been evaluated. Issues regarding any scale effects have been discussed.

The influence of the main hydraulic and geometric parameters on drop manhole performance was contemplated to provide improved design concepts for sewer systems.     

Supercritical flow in the 90° junction manhole

Based on previous observations of the 45° junction manhole for supercritical flow in the main and lateral branches, the hydraulics of the more common 90° junction manhole were explored. Using a selected manhole geometry involving: (1) a short straight piece in the lateral branch to inhibit full development of the bend wave, and (2) the addition of the junction extension as used in previous designs for the bend manhole, the present study gives results that are in basic agreement with those collected in the 45° junction manhole. This surprising result thus allows for a design basis independent of the junction angle.The present paper defines three waves that may occur in a junction manhole, i.e. bend wave, junction wave and the swell at the manhole outlet into the downstream pipe. In addition, the position of the determining junction wave was established. Important for the junction design is the discharge capacity for which supercritical flow can be maintained across the manhole. It was found that the lateral branch flow depth and the pipe diameter have an important effect on this capacity, for both branches or only one of the branches in operation.     

An investigation of the factors influencing sewer structural deterioration

In this paper, the influence of sewer physical properties on the structural deterioration of the Leuven (Belgium) sewers was investigated using logistic regression. The analysis revealed that out of the 10 variables considered, only three significantly affected the deterioration process, namely, age, material and length. Comparing the results of this study with similar studies revealed that no single set of factors can explain sewer deterioration, i.e. the process is a localised phenomenon. This study contributes to the widening and ascertaining of the limited – and often conflicting – knowledge with regard to the relationship between sewer properties and sewer deterioration.     

Microbial community structures and in situ sulfate-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing activities in biofilms developed on mortar specimens in a corroded sewer system

Microbially induced concrete corrosion (MICC) caused by sulfuric acid attack in sewer systems has been a serious problem for a long time. A better understanding of microbial community structures of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) and their in situ activities is essential for the efficient control of MICC. In this study, the microbial community structures and the in situ hydrogen sulfide production and consumption rates within biofilms and corroded materials developed on mortar specimens placed in a corroded manhole was investigated by culture-independent 16S rRNA gene-based molecular techniques and microsensors for hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, pH and the oxidation-reduction potential. The dark-gray gel-like biofilm was developed in the bottom (from the bottom to 4 cm) and the middle (4–20 cm from the bottom of the manhole) parts of the mortar specimens. White filamentous biofilms covered the gel-like biofilm in the middle part. The mortar specimens placed in the upper part (30 cm above the bottom of the manhole) were corroded. The 16S rRNA gene-cloning analysis revealed that one clone retrieved from the bottom biofilm sample was related to an SRB, 12 clones and 6 clones retrieved from the middle biofilm and the corroded material samples, respectively, were related to SOB. In situ hybridization results showed that the SRB were detected throughout the bottom biofilm and filamentous SOB cells were mainly detected in the upper oxic layer of the middle biofilm. Microsensor measurements demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide was produced in and diffused out of the bottom biofilms. In contrast, in the middle biofilm the hydrogen sulfide produced in the deeper parts of the biofilm was oxidized in the upper filamentous biofilm. pH was around 3 in the corroded materials developed in the upper part of the mortar specimens. Therefore, it can be concluded that hydrogen sulfide provided from the bottom biofilms and the sludge settling tank was emitted to the sewer atmosphere, then oxidized to corrosive compounds in the upper and middle parts of the manhole, and only the upper part of the mortar specimens were corroded, because in the middle part of the manhole the generated corrosive compounds (e.g., sulfuric acid) was reduced in the deeper parts of the biofilm.     

Application and comparison of two different dual drainage models to assess urban flooding

Two types of dual drainage models were set up to assess urban flooding for a study area in Germany: (1) a static model based on a conventional method in Germany; the overflow volumes of the manholes are gained by the sewer solver HYSTEM-EXTRAN. Using these water volumes and geographic information system (GIS) tools, an overland flow network, composed of flow paths and accumulated water in sinks, is produced, (2) a HYSTEM-EXTRAN 2D model; a two-dimensional (2D) overland flow module is coupled bi-directionally with HYSTEM-EXTRAN. The overland flow and the flow in the sewer system are simulated alternately.

Both models were supplied with a synthetic design rainfall and 25 extreme storms. After comparing the models and the results, a practical approach to assess urban flooding is proposed. In this approach the 2D model will compute the depth, extent, and propagation of floods only in the prone areas specified by the static model.     

Hydrological assessment of flow dynamic changes by storm sewer overflows and combined sewer overflows on an event-scale in an urban river

In addition to assessing the impacts of water quality changes in urban rivers caused by storm water sewer overflows (SWO) and combined sewer overflows (CSO), the extent to which flow dynamics are changed by these structures must be understood in order to define hydrological assessment criteria to guide sustainable water management strategies as required by the European Community (EC) Water Framework Directive. In this study, the quantitative impacts of SWOs and CSOs on the flow dynamics of an urban river and their variability are investigated. For four single runoff events, hydrological measurements were accomplished in the River Dreisam, upstream and downstream of the city of Freiburg, in southwest Germany. As the catchment is widely free of urban areas upstream of the city, comparison with downstream locations allowed quantification of Freiburg's effects on the changes in the hydrograph on an event scale. The proposed hydrological parameter—flow acceleration, peak discharge, and discharge dosage—were shown to be appropriate to assess the impacts of SWOs and CSOs on flood hydrographs in urban rivers.     

Laboratory Investigation into the Performance of an In-Sewer Vortex Flow Regulator

Aspects of the hydraulic performance of an in-sewer vortex regulator have been studied. These devices are increasingly used in stormwater management schemes, but their characteristics under a variety of prototypical situations have not been widely disseminated. The study used a full-size laboratory mockup of a section of sewer and associated manhole with facilities for measuring discharges of up to 60 1/s. The performance of a typical vortex flow regulator was investigated under both steady and unsteady flow conditions. The steady head-discharge relationship revealed the expected 'kick back'region (during rising head); however, this was less pronounced during falling head. Under unsteady conditions, vortex initiation was affected and a hysteresis effect was noted. The influence of downstream surcharge was significant at lower upstream heads. Theoretical comparison showed that to obtain equivalent performance, an orifice of 62% of the diameter of the vortex regulator would be required, and 25% savings in storage could be made.     

A case study of urban water balancing in the partly sewered city of Nablus-East (Palestine) to study wastewater pollution loads and groundwater pollution

Untreated sewage can contribute a significant proportion of urban groundwater recharge, via on-site sanitation facilities and sewer exfiltration. In the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories 94% of sewage is discharged untreated to the ground or surface waters. This has contributed to increasing nitrate concentrations in groundwater, which is the critical water source. In this case study of a drainage catchment from the city of Nablus, a water balance indicates that sewage as a source of groundwater recharge is as much as 50% of total recharge from precipitation, and nitrogen pollutant loads by area are up to 60% as much as those from agriculture. Results suggest that 22% of total wastewater flow directly infiltrates the ground via cesspits and sewer exfiltration.     

Generating network representations of small-scale infrastructure using generally available data

Risk analysis (including resilience analysis) of infrastructure requires models that describe the connection of components and subsequent flow dynamics. However, the detailed information needed to define these models may not be available, especially for small-scale infrastructure that connect to every building. In this paper, we generate location-specific small-scale networks using detailed data that should always be available. We propose a general framework where we generate the network topology, we estimate the resource demand at each building, and we design the network components to meet the demands. This general framework is applicable to all types of infrastructure, but many procedures are specific to the type of network being generated. This paper develops the necessary procedures to generate sewer networks and illustrates the usage for an example network in a small study area in Seaside, Oregon. The proposed sewer network generator produces realistic sewer networks as compared to the real network of Seaside.     

济南城市综合排涝规划研究

针对当前城市频繁遭遇洪涝灾害,而城市排涝问题尚未受到足够重视的现状,济南市城市综合排涝规划对排涝的任务、涝灾形成原因进行了深入探讨,提出了洪涝分家、完善防洪排涝沟系、设置蓄滞洪区、优化雨水管道系统、开展竖向规划等排涝规划措施,以期改善城市遇雨易涝的局面,为其他城市提供借鉴。     

Quantification of groundwater infiltration and surface water inflows in urban sewer networks based on a multiple model approach

The management of sewer systems requires information about discharge and variability of typical wastewater sources in urban catchments. Especially the infiltration of groundwater and the inflow of surface water (I/I) are important for making decisions about the rehabilitation and operation of sewer networks. This paper presents a methodology to identify I/I and estimate its quantity. For each flow fraction in sewer networks, an individual model approach is formulated whose parameters are optimised by the method of least squares. This method was applied to estimate the contributions to the wastewater flow in the sewer system of the City of Dresden (Germany), where data availability is good. Absolute flows of I/I and their temporal variations are estimated. Further information on the characteristics of infiltration is gained by clustering and grouping sewer pipes according to the attributes construction year and groundwater influence and relating these resulting classes to infiltration behaviour. Further, it is shown that condition classes based on CCTV-data can be used to estimate the infiltration potential of sewer pipes.