Collection Conduits Including Subsurface Drains

Numerous types of pipes and channels with spatially increasing flows in environmental engineering applications are identified by type and function and referred to as collection conduits. An overview of methods for designing and analyzing collection conduits is provided. Full conduits with nonuniform and uniform inflow are first considered. Dimensional analysis is then employed to demonstrate the relationship between variables for open channels; that leads to the identification of possibilities for generalized numerical solutions. Prior collection conduit applications are discussed within the framework of the dimensional analysis (which also pertains to some constant-flow applications). A previously unpublished generalized numerical solution for rectangular collection conduits is presented. Subsurface drains are addressed with particular emphasis, including the use of numerical methods to develop a new generalized chart and relation to other design methods. Among the important conclusions for subsurface drains is that the somewhat common practice of using Manning’s equation alone for such problems is not generally adequate. Examples and practical design suggestions are included, and the use of computer-based numerical methods is discussed more generally.