SUSTAINABLE CIVIL ENGINEERING the Earth's ecosystem, without compromising the ability of future generations to

Introduction meet their own needs and without going over the limits of long term capacity of the
 The term sustainability is deemed to be a model for sustainable development for the earth `s ecosystem" (Stappen 2006, p.27 ff).
humanity (Lexikon der Nachhaltigkeit 2006a). Especially the Agenda 21 is setting
on sustainability for solutions of environmental problems in present and future cases. Models of sustainability
To counteract an advancing degradation of the situation of people on the globe the  The three-dimensional model proceeds on the assumption that sustainability can be
Agenda 21 was created at a worldwide environmental conference in Rio de Janero, achieved by realization of environmental, social
Brazil in 1992. Many years of intensive spadework had to be done before all the and economic aims. Thereby the three dimension
different countries agreed on it. But does everyone in the world has the same ideas of can be weighted differently (Federal Office for
sustainability and what is sustainable development all about? This work will show spatial development, 2005). There has to be a
the different aspects of sustainability especially for civil engineering as it is social community and a efficient economy working
demonstrated in the literature but also a personal view on the theme. together and linked to the environment to create
sustainable development in a three dimensional
 Sustainability in civil engineering includes many different aspects like energy
perspective. The three dimensions should be equal
systems and technologies, building service engineering or management of resources.
and homogeneous to each other to achieve their
A precise assessment of existing or new buildings must be done and this work will
common aim which is securing and approvement
give some examples of executed buildings and developed techniques.
of economic, ecologic and social effectiveness.
A definition of sustainability
Aims of Sustainability
The brundtland commission defined the concept of sustainable development in two
 The aim of sustainable development is to balance our economic, environmental and
ways:
social needs, allowing prosperity for now and future generations. ... These include
1. "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
social progress and equality, environmental protection, conservation of natural
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
resources and stable economic growth.
2. “A sustainable development is a process of changings in which the application of
resources, the structure of investigations, the orientation of technical progress and the
DAMS
institutional structures are getting consistent with the needs of the present and the
 A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground
future.” (Wikipedia 2006a)
streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water
 These definitions are about intergenerational Equity. ‘It doesn´t matter what happens
for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture,
when we´ve gone’ is not the right way to live today. The definition says that we have
and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate
to think about the generations in the future and start to prepare or save their quality
electricity. A dam can also be used to collect water or for storage of water which can
of life.
be evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve the primary purpose
 Another definition is quite similar to the definition from the brundtland report, but it
of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees(also known
includes a very important aspect: the Earth an its ecosystem.
as dikes) are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. 
 "Sustainable development of the Earth is a development that meets the basic needs of
all human beings and which conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of

1

PURPOSES OF A DAM
 Irrigation
Presently, irrigated land covers about 277 million hectares i.e. about 18% of
world’s arable land but is responsible for around 40% of crop output and employs
nearly 30% of population spread over rural areas. With the large population growth
expected for the next decades, irrigation must be expanded to increase the food
capacity production. It is estimated that 80% of additional food production by the
year 2025 will need to come from irrigated land. Even with the widespread measures
to conserve water by improvements in irrigation technology, the construction of
more reservoir projects will be required.
 Hydro Power
Electricity generated from dams is by very far the largest renewable energy
source in the world. More than 90% of the world’s renewable electricity comes from
dams. Hydropower also offers unique possibilities to manage the power network by
its ability to quickly respond to peak demands. Pumping-storage plants, using power
produced during the night, while the demand is low, is used to pump water up to the
higher reservoir. That water is then used during the peak demand period to produce
electricity. This system today constitute the only economic mass storage available
for electricity.
 Water Supply
It has been stressed how essential water is for our civilization. It is important to
remember that of the total rainfall falling on the earth, most falls on the sea and a
large portion of that which falls on earth ends up as runoff. Only 2% of the total is
infiltrated to replenish the groundwater. Properly planned, designed and constructed
and maintained dams to store water contribute significantly toward fulfilling our
water supply requirements. To accommodate the variations in the hydrologic cycle,
dams and reservoirs are needed to store water and then provide more consistent
supplies during shortages.
 Inland Navigation
Natural river conditions, such as changes in the flow rate and river level, ice and
changing river channels due to erosion and sedimentation, create major problems and
2
obstacles for inland navigation. The advantages of inland navigation, however, when
compared with highway and rail are the large load carrying capacity of each barge,
the ability to handle cargo with large-dimensions and fuel savings. Enhanced inland
navigation is a result of comprehensive basin planning and development utilizing
dams, locks and reservoirs which are regulated to provide a vital role in realizing
regional and national economic benefits
 Flood Control
Dams and reservoirs can be effectively used to regulate river levels and flooding
downstream of the dam by temporarily storing the flood volume and releasing it
later. The most effective method of flood control is accomplished by an integrated
water management plan for regulating the storage and discharges of each of the main
dams located in a river basin. Each dam is operated by a specific water control plan
for routing floods through the basin without damage. This means lowering of the
reservoir level to create more storage before the rainy season.
This strategy eliminates flooding. The number of dams and their water control
management plans are established by comprehensive planning for economic
development and with public involvement. Flood control is a significant purpose for
many of the existing dams and continues as a main purpose for some of the major
dams of the world currently under construction.
TYPES OF DAMS
There are 7 types of dams
 Diversion Dam
Like the name says, a diversion dam is used
to divert water. They provide pressure to
push water into ditches, canals, or other areas
used for conveyance. Diversion dams are
typically lower in height and have a small
water storage area in it’s upstream.
 o In this type of buttress dam, no slab or arch is provided at the upstream
face, instead of that buttress head is enlarged and joined with adjacent
 Buttress Dam buttress head. Like this all buttresses heads makes strong water
Buttress dams can supporting surface.
take many forms, o The enlargement of buttress heads can be done in different shapes like
but they all consist rounded, diamond shape etc. So, these shapes can resist the water
of a sloping deck pressure very well. The joining of heads is strengthened by providing
supported by copper strips.
intervals of o Construction of massive head buttress dam is easier compared to other
buttresses. There types and no reinforcement is required only mass concrete is laid whole
are three main over the dam body. Because of such a huge concrete body, it is heavier
buttress dams, and resists against sliding.
including: multiple
arch type, massive Deck Type Buttress Dam
head type, and deck o In this type of dam, a deck slab is provided
type. Buttress dams usually use less concrete than other dams but are not which is supported by the corbels of
necessarily cheaper. buttresses. This type of dam is constructed to
smaller heights generally from 20 to 50
Multiple Arch Buttress Dams meters.
o This type of dam can be preferred for larger heights about more than 50
meters. As compared to deck slab type buttress dams, multiple arch
buttress dams are more flexible and stable.
o The main disadvantage in this case is the adjacent buttress units depends
on each other. So, if one unit gets affected then it causes severe problems  Embankment Dam
for the whole series of arches. To overcome this good foundation for each An embankment dam is a large, artificial dam
of buttresses wall should be provided. that is constructed with natural excavated
o The thickness of arch provided varies in case of larger spans and constant materials or industrial waste materials, such as
in the case of shorter spans. The central angle of arch should be in compacted plastics, and various compositions
between 180 degrees to 150 degrees. of soil, sand, rock, and clay. 
o The space between buttresses should be in between 15 to 21 meters.
However, larger spacing can also be provided by taking some
consideration.  Coffer dam
A cofferdam is a temporary, portable dam used for a
Massive Head Buttress Dam variety of projects including bridge repair, shoreline

3
 restoration, pipeline installation, and many other construction projects. A GREEN BUILDINGS OR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
cofferdam is used to close off some or all of a construction area. DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION
 Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building)
expands and complements the building design concerns of economy, utility,
durability, and comfort.
 A Green Building is one which uses less water, optimizes energy efficiency,
 Storage Dam conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier space for
These dams are not mean to divert or keep water occupants as compared to conventional buildings.
out, but to keep water in. Storage dams are CONCEPT ON GREEN CONSTRUCTION OR BUILDING
constructed to store water during the rainy  The design…
seasons, supply water to the local wildlife, and  …of our homes is fundamental to our quality of life, comfort and how affordable
store water for hydroelectric power generation, they are to run
and irrigation. Storage dams are the most  …of our schools leaves a life-long imprint on those who learn within them,
common types of dams. influencing pupil concentration and how environmentally aware the next
generation is
 Detention Dam  …of our workplaces impacts employee productivity, health and the prosperity of
Detention dams are specifically constructed our companies
for flood control by retarding flow  ...of our hospitals affects patient recovery times and National Health Service bills
downstream, helping reduce flash floods (to  ...of our cities and communities strongly determines their economic and social
some extent). The water is retained in a dynamics
reservoir to be later gradually released.
OBJECTIVES OF GREEN BUILDING
 Low Impact
 Gravity Dam - Minimize impact on natural environment
A gravity dam is a massive, man-made  Energy Efficient
concrete dam designed to hold large - Reduced Energy usage and Water usage
volumes of water. Because of the heavy  Healthy
concrete used, it is able to resist the - Protect occupant health and increase productivity
horizontal thrust of the water, and gravity  Minimize waste
essentially holds the dam to the ground. - Designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes waste, pollution, and
They are used to block rivers in wide environmental degradation
valleys and must be built on a strong foundation of bedrock.
KEY ATTRIBUTES OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

4
 Consideration of sustainability aspects in all  Each rating system divided into different level of
 phases of building design and planning  certification is as follows:
 Use of healthy and environmentally friendly building materials and products  ‘Certified’ to recognise best practices.
 Use of efficient systems  ‘Silver’ to recognise outstanding performances.
 Use of constructions and systems which are easy to maintain and service  ‘Gold’ to recognise national excellence.
 High aesthetic and urban design quality; high public acceptance  ‘Platinum’ to recognise global leadership.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN

BUILDING
 Structural efficiency SEAWALL
- Its main intensions is to minimize the total environment impact associated with all  A seawall (or sea wall) is a form of coastal defence constructed where the sea, and
life- cycles. associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The
- It has the largest impact on cost and performance of building. purpose of a sea wall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation and
leisure activities from the action of tides, waves, or tsunamis.
 Energy efficiency  As a seawall is a static feature it will conflict with the dynamic nature of the coast
- The strategy is to reduce the operating energy use. and impede the exchange of sediment between land and sea. The shoreline is part of
- Renewable energy through solar power, wind power, hydro power and biomass can the coastal interface which is exposed to a wide range of erosional processes arising
significantly reduce the environmental impact of a building. from fluvial, aeolian and terrestrial sources, meaning that a combination of
denudational processes will work against a seawall.
 Water efficiency
- Reducing water consumption and protecting water quality is the key objectives of  The coast is generally a high-energy, dynamic environment with spatial variations
sustainable building. over a wide range of timescales. The coast is exposed to erosion by rivers and winds
- The use of non-sewage and greywater for on- site use such as site- irrigation will as well as the sea, so that a
minimize demands on the local aquifer.

 Waste efficiency
- Buildings materials should be renewable materials, recycle and friendly to the
environment.
- Examples are lumber from forest, renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw
and other products that are non-toxic, reusable, etc. combination of denudational
processes will work against a sea
GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM wall. Because of these persistent
 The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) provides LEED ratings to structures in natural forces, sea walls need to be
India and Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) is the National maintained (and eventually replaced)
Rating System of India. to maintain their effectiveness.
5
TYPES crack or collapse. Sinkholes may also develop as the escaping water pressure erodes
 There are three main types of seawalls: vertical, curved or stepped, and mounds, as soil through or around the drainage system.
set out in the table:
 Extreme events - also pose a problem as it is not easy for people to predict or
imagine the strength of hurricane or storm induced waves compared to normal,
Advantages and disadvantages of seawalls according to Short (1999)
expected wave patterns. An extreme event can dissipate hundreds of times more
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
energy than everyday waves, and calculating structures which will stand the force of
Long term solution in comparison to soft Expensive to construct.
coastal storms is difficult and, often the outcome can become unaffordable. For
beach nourishment.
example, Omaha Beach seawall in New Zealand was designed to prevent erosion
Effectively minimizes loss of life in May be considered aesthetically
from everyday waves only, and when a storm in 1976 carved out ten metres behind
extreme events and damage to property unattractive.
the existing seawall, the whole structure was destroyed.
caused by erosion.
Can exist longer in high energy Reflected energy of waves leading to  Other Issues - Some further issues include: lack of long term trend data of seawall
environments in comparison to ‘soft’ scour at base. effects due to a relatively short duration of data records; modelling limitations and
engineering methods. comparisons of different projects and their effects being invalid or unequal due to
Can be used for recreation and Can disrupt natural shoreline processes different beach types; materials; currents; and environments. Lack of maintenance is
sightseeing and destroy shoreline habitats such as also a major issue with sea walls.
wetlands and intertidal beaches.
Forms a hard and strong coastal defense. Altered sediment transport processes can LAND RECLAMATION
disrupt sand movement that can lead to  Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, and also known as land fill (not
increased erosion down drift from the to be confused with a landfill), is the process of creating new land from oceans, seas,
structure. This can cause beaches to riverbeds or lake beds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or land
dissipate, rendering them useless for fill.
beach goers.  In some jurisdictions, including parts of the United States, the term "reclamation"
can refer to returning disturbed lands to an improved state.
ISSUES  In Alberta, Canada, for example, reclamation is defined by the provincial
 Sea level rise - creates an issue for seawalls worldwide as it raises both the mean government as "The process of reconverting disturbed land to its former or other
normal water level and the height of waves during extreme weather events, which productive uses.
the current seawall heights may be unable to cope with.  In Oceania it is frequently referred to as land rehabilitation
 Hydrostatic water pressure - Seawalls, like all retaining walls, must relieve the
buildup of water pressure. Water pressure buildup is caused when groundwater is not Methods of land reclamation
drained from behind the seawall. Groundwater against a seawall can be from the Land reclamation can be achieved with a number of different methods.
area's natural water-table, rain percolating into the ground behind the wall and waves  The simplest method involves filling the area with large amounts of heavy rock
overtopping the wall. The water-table can also rise during periods of high water and/or cement, then filling with clay and dirt until the desired height is reached. The
(high tide). Lack of adequate drainage can cause the seawall to buckle, move, bow,
6
 process is called "infilling" and the material used to fill the space is generally called filling is selected based on the availability of equipment, type of seabed soil,
"infill". topography of seabed, and the production rate required.
 Draining of submerged wetlands is often used to reclaim land for agricultural use.
2.1 Direct dumping
Deep cement mixing is used typically in situations in which the material displaced by
 A direct dumping method is used when the seabed is deep or the underlying
either dredging or draining may be contaminated and hence needs to be contained.
seabed soil is soft. A bottom-opening barge usually carries fill material from the
 Land dredging is also another method of land reclamation. It is the removal of borrow source and either sails with a self-propeller or pushed by the powerful
sediments and debris from the bottom of a body of water. It is commonly used for tugboat to the designated location. At the location, fill material is dumped by
maintaining reclaimed land masses as sedimentation, a natural process, fills channels opening the bottom of the barge.
and harbors naturally.
3. REHANDLING FROM REHANDLING PIT
 Sometimes, if cutter suction hopper trailers are not available or direct dumping is
RECLAMATION METHODS
not feasible, a rehandling method is used. The rehandling method involves
There are several methods of land reclamation, depending upon the type of fill material,
transporting sand by barges and dumping the fill material temporarily in the pit
foundation soil, topography of the seabed, the availability of equipment, and allowable
for storage. The pit should have a storage capacity of a few million cubic meters.
fine material for reclamation.
 Rehandling pit locations are generally selected at natural depressions on a firm
1. DRY METHOD
seabed or created by dredging. To create a rehandling pit, one needs to consider
 The dry method is suitable for filling material from land sources, especially rock,
the stability of the pit slope. Such an operation would require two stationary
hillcut and clay fill. Filling or transporting clay fill material into the sea would
cutter suction dredgers, one at the borrow source and another at the rehandling
create viscous slurry which would take much longer to become usable land.
pit. In that case, sand barges are required to transport sand to the rehandling pit.
 As explained earlier, the dry method usually uses a truck or conveyor belt to
 Alternatively, one cutter suction hopper dredger dredges the sand at the borrow
transport fill material to extend the land towards the sea
source and transports it to the rehandling pit, while another stationary cutter
 Generally, the dry method works well for foreshore locations with underlying suction dredger will operate at the rehandling pit to fill the reclamation area.
competent seabed soil. If the seabed soil is weak, a mud wave will be created in
front of the fill because of displacement. In that case, a greater quantity of fill 4. HYDRAULIC FILLING
material would be required.  The hydraulic filling method is suitable for granular fill. Generally, this method
is used when filling is carried out from an offshore source, either from a
 In addition, the dry method usually results in a loose profile of fill especially
rehandling pit, as explained earlier, or from a trailer suction hopper dredger. In
when granular soil is used as fill material
the case of pumping from a cutter suction hopper dredger, the fill material is
dredged from the borrow source with its own trailer suction dredger which is
2. HYDRAULIC RECLAMATION METHOD
moved adjacent to the reclamation area and then pumped through the discharge
 A wet method of reclamation is implemented when fill material is obtained from
pipe.
an offshore borrow source. However, this method is only suitable for granular
 Bulldozers are used to grade and spread the fill material around the discharge
fill, which has good drainage characteristics. As explained earlier, the method of
pipe. The discharge pipe is usually set slightly above the required finished level.

7
 Pumping is usually done with a mixture of fill material and water. The ratio of
fill material to water is adjusted according to the grain size of the fill material. A
large ratio of material to water would lead to wearing of the inner walls of the
sand transportation pipe.
 On the other hand, a smaller ratio of material to water will reduce the production
rate. After a certain amount of land has formed, the pipes are extended
accordingly.
5. SAND SPREADING
 Sand spreading is implemented when a shallow seabed is encountered or when
the seabed soil is too soft. When sand spreading is carried out, a rehandling pit is
generally necessary. The spreader is mounted on a small floating barge. The end
of the discharge pipe is usually closed and several perforations are provided
along the last two to three sections of the discharge pipes. Sand is discharged
through the perforations with water.
 Since sand spreading is not stationary and moving from one end to another is
required, moving the spreader is made it possible with a winch system and a
heavy duty bulldozer. Sand deposits using a sand spreading method usually
results in a loose profile
6. PUMPING INSIDE THE BUNDS
 Reclamation can start from the coastal line and advance towards the sea.
However, this type of reclamation may lead to great loss of fill material because
of wave and current action. Therefore, sometimes reclamation is carried out
within a protected area after a bund has been formed around the proposed
reclamation area. In this way, losses caused by wave and current action can be
minimized. However, this type of reclamation requires an outlet for the overflow
of water and fine material, otherwise mud can be trapped at or near the corner of
the bund.
RAIN GARDEN
 Rain gardens, also called bioretention facilities, are one of a variety of practices
designed to treat polluted stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are designed landscape
sites that reduce the flow rate, total quantity, and pollutant load of runoff from
8
impervious urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways,and parking lots, and
compacted lawn areas.
 Rain gardens rely on plants and natural or engineered soil medium to retain
stormwater and increase the lag time of infiltration, while remediating and filtering
pollutants carried by urban runoff. Rain gardens provide a method to reuse and
optimize any rain that falls, reducing or avoiding the need for additional irrigation.
 A benefit of planting rain gardens is the consequential decrease in ambient air and
water temperature, a mitigation that is especially effective in urban areas containing
an abundance of impervious surfaces that absorb heat in a phenomenon known as the
heat-island effect
 Rain gardens can improve water quality in nearby bodies of water and recharge
depleted groundwater supply. Rain gardens also reduce the amount of polluted
runoff that enters the storm sewer system, which discharges directly to surface
waters and causes erosion, water pollution and flooding.[5] Rain gardens also reduce
energy consumption by decreasing the load on conventional stormwater
infrastructure.
 Rain gardens are beneficial for many reasons; they improve water quality by filtering
runoff, provide localized flood control, create aesthetic landscaping sites, and
provide diverse planting opportunities. They also encourage wildlife and
biodiversity, tie together buildings and their surrounding environments in integrated
and environmentally advantageous ways, and provide significant solutions to
important environmental problems that affect many aspects of life.
Effects of urban runoff
 In developed urban areas, naturally occurring depressions where storm water would
pool are typically covered by impermeable surfaces, such as asphalt, pavement, or
concrete, and are leveled for automobile use. Stormwater is directed into storm
drains which may cause overflows of combined sewer systems or pollution, erosion,
or flooding of waterways receiving the storm water runoff. Redirected stormwater is
often warmer than the groundwater normally feeding a stream, and has been linked
to upset in some aquatic ecosystems primarily through the reduction of dissolved
oxygen (DO). Stormwater runoff is also a source of a wide variety of pollutants
 washed off hard or compacted surfaces during rain events. These pollutants may
include volatile organic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, hydrocarbons and trace
metals
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
 Stormwater management occurs on a watershed scale to prevent downstream impacts
on urban water quality.[ A watershed is maintained through the cyclical
accumulation, storage, and flow of groundwater. Naturally occurring watersheds are
damaged when they are sealed by an impervious surface, which diverts pollutant-
carrying stormwater runoff into streams. Urban watersheds are affected by greater
quantities of pollutants due to the consequences of anthropogenic activities within
urban environments
 Rainfall on impermeable surfaces accumulates surface runoff containing oil,
bacteria, and sediment that eventually makes its way to streams and groundwater.
Stormwater control strategies such as infiltration gardens treat contaminated surface
runoff and return processed water to the underlying soil, helping to restore the
watershed system. The effectiveness of stormwater control systems is measured by
the reduction of the amount of rainfall that becomes runoff (retention), and the lag
time (rate of depletion) of the runoff.
 Even rain gardens with small capacities for daily infiltration can create a positive
cumulative impact on mitigating urban runoff. Increasing the amount of permeable
surfaces by designing rain gardens reduces the amount of polluted stormwater that
reaches natural bodies of water and recharges groundwater at a higher rate/
 Additionally, adding a rain garden to a site that experiences excessive rainwater
runoff mitigates the water quantity load on public stormwater systems.
BIORETENTION
 The concept of LID (low-impact design) for stormwater management is based on
bioretention: a landscape and water design practice that utilizes the chemical,
9
biological, and physical properties of soils, microorganisms, and plants to control the
quality and quantity of water flow within a site.
 Bioretention facilities are primarily designed for water management, and can treat
urban runoff, stormwater, groundwater, and in special cases, wastewater. Carefully
designed constructed wetlands are necessary for the bioretention of sewage water or
grey water, which have greater effects on human health than the implications of
treating urban runoff and rainfall.
 Environmental benefits of bioretention sites include increased wildlife diversity and
habitat production and minimized energy use and pollution.
 Prioritizing water management through natural bioretention sites eliminates the
possibility of covering the land with impermeable surfaces.
WATER TREATMENT PROCESS
 Bioretention controls the stormwater quantity through interception, infiltration,
evaporation, and transpiration. First, rainfall is captured by plant tissue (leaves and
stems) and in the soil micropores. Then, water performs infiltration - the downward
movement of water through soil - and is stored in the soil until the substrate reaches
its moisture capacity, when it begins to pool at the top of the bioretention feature.
The pooled water and water from plant and soil surfaces is then evaporated into the
atmosphere. Optimal design of bioretention sites aim for shallow pooled water to
reach a higher rate of evaporation. Water also evaporates through the leaves of the
plants in the feature and back to the atmosphere, which is a process known as
evapotranspiration.
 Bioretention controls the stormwater quality through settling, filtration, assimilation,
adsorption, degradation, and decomposition. When water pools on top of a
bioretention feature, suspended solids and large particles will settle out. Dust
particles, soil particles, and other small debris are filtered out of the water as it
moves downward through the soil and interspersed plant roots. Plants take up some
of the nutrients for use in their growth processes, or for mineral storage. Dissolved
chemical substances from the water also bind to the surfaces of plant roots, soil
particles, and other organic matter in the substrate and are rendered ineffective. Soil
microorganisms break down remaining chemicals and small organic matter and
effectively decompose the pollutants into a saturated soil matter.
 Even though natural water purification is based on the design of planted areas, the replaced periodically to generate maximum performance and efficiency if used in the
key components of bioremediation are the soil quality and microorganism activity. bioretention system.
These features are supported by plants, which create secondary pore space to
 Rain gardens are often located near a building's roof drainpipe (with or without
increase soil permeability, prevent soil compaction through complex root structure
rainwater tanks). Most rain gardens are designed to be an endpoint of a building's or
growth, provide habitats for the microorganisms on the surfaces of their roots, and
urban site's drainage system with a capacity to percolate all incoming water through
transport oxygen to the soil.
a series of soil or gravel layers beneath the surface plantings.

DESIGN
 Stormwater garden design encompasses a wide range of features based on the
principles of bioretention. These facilities are then organized into a sequence and
incorporated into the landscape in the order that rainfall moves from buildings and
permeable surfaces to gardens, and eventually, to bodies of water. A rain garden
requires an area where water can collect and infiltrate, and plants can maintain
infiltration rates, diverse microorganism communities, and water storage capacity.
 Existing gardens can be adapted to perform like rain gardens by adjusting the
landscape so that downspouts and paved surfaces drain into existing planting areas.
 Rain gardens are at times confused with bioswales. Swales slope to a destination,
while rain gardens are level; however, a bioswale may end with a rain garden as a
part of a larger stormwater management system. Drainage ditches may be handled
like bioswales and even include rain gardens in series, saving time and money on
maintenance. Part of a garden that nearly always has standing water is a water
garden, wetland, or pond, and not a rain garden. Rain gardens also differ from
retention basins, where the water will infiltrate the ground at a much slower rate,
within a day or two.
SOIL AND DRAINAGE
 Collected water is filtered through the strata of soil or engineering growing soil,
called substrate. After the soil reaches its saturation limit, excess water pools on the
surface of the soil and eventually infiltrates the natural soil below. The bioretention
soil mixture should typically contain 60% sand, 20% compost, and 20% topsoil.
Soils with higher concentrations of compost have shown improved effects on
filtering groundwater and rainwater.[18] Non-permeable soil needs to be removed and
VEGATATION
 Typical rain garden plants are herbaceous perennials and grasses, which are chosen
for their porous root structure and high growth rate. Trees and shrubs can also be
planted to cover larger areas on the bioretention site. Although specific plants are
selected and designed for respective soils and climates, plants that can tolerate both
saturated and dry soil are typically used for the rain garden. They need to be
maintained for maximum efficiency, and be compatible with adjacent land uses.
 It is important to plant a wide variety of species so the rain garden is functional
during all climatic conditions. It is likely that the garden will experience a gradient of
moisture levels across its functional lifespan, so some drought tolerant plantings are
desirable. There are four categories of a vegetative species’ moisture tolerance that
can be considered when choosing plants for a rain garden. Wet soil is constantly full
of water with long periods of pooling surface water; this category includes swamp
and marsh sites.
 Chosen vegetation needs to respect site constraints and limitations, and especially
should not impede the primary function of bioretention. Trees under power lines, or
that up-heave sidewalks when soils become moist, or whose roots seek out and clog
drainage tiles can cause expensive damage. Trees generally contribute to bioretention
sites the most when they are located close enough to tap moisture in the rain garden
depression, yet do not excessively shade the garden and allow for evaporation.
POLLUTANT REMOVAL

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 Rain gardens are designed to capture the initial flow of stormwater and reduce the
accumulation of toxins flowing directly into natural waterways through ground
DESCRITOTION AND APPLICATIONS
filtration. Natural remediation of contaminated stormwater is an effective, cost-free
 Permeable solutions can be based on: porous asphalt and concrete surfaces, concrete
treatment process. Directing water to flow through soil and vegetation achieves
pavers (permeable interlocking concrete paving systems – PICP), or polymer-based
particle pollutant capture, while atmospheric pollutants are captured in plant
grass pavers, grids and geocells. Porous pavements and concrete pavers (actually the
membranes and then trapped in soil, where most of them begin to break down. These
voids in-between them) enable stormwater to drain through a stone base layer for on-
approaches help to diffuse runoff, which allows contaminants to be distributed across
site infiltration and filtering. Polymer based grass grid or cellular paver systems
the site instead of concentrated.
provide load bearing reinforcement for unpaved surfaces of gravel or turf.
 The primary challenge of rain garden design is predicting the types of pollutants and
 Grass pavers, plastic turf reinforcing grids (PTRG), and geocells (cellular
the acceptable loads of pollutants the rain garden's filtration system can process
confinement systems) are honeycombed 3D grid-cellular systems, made of thin-
during high impact storm events. Contaminants may include organic material, such
walled HDPE plastic or other polymer alloys. These provide grass reinforcement,
as animal waste and oil spills, as well as inorganic material, such as heavy metals
ground stabilization and gravel retention.
and fertilizer nutrients. These pollutants are known to cause harmful over-promotion
of plant and algal growth if they seep into streams and rivers. The challenge of  In new suburban growth, porous pavements protect watersheds by delaying and
predicting pollutant loads is specifically acute when a rain event occurs after a longer filtering the surge flow. In existing built-up areas and towns, redevelopment and
dry period reconstruction are opportunities to implement stormwater water management
practices. Permeable paving is an important component in Low Impact Development
(LID), a process for land development in the United States that attempts to minimize
PERMEABLE PAVING
impacts on water quality and the similar concept of sustainable drainage systems
 Permeable paving is a method of paving vehicle and pedestrian pathways to enable
(SuDS) in the United Kingdom.
infiltration of stormwater runoff. Permeable pavement surfaces typically include
pervious concrete, porous asphalt, paving stones and interlocking pavers. Unlike  The infiltration capacity of the native soil is a key design consideration for
traditional impervious paving materials, permeable paving systems allow stormwater determining the depth of base rock for stormwater storage or for whether an
to percolate and infiltrate through the pavement and into the aggregate layers and/or underdrain system is needed.
soil below. In addition to reducing surface runoff, permeable paving systems can trap
suspended solids, thereby filtering pollutants from stormwater. The goal is to control
ADVANTAGES
stormwater at the source, reduce runoff and improve water quality by filtering
 MANAGING RUNOFF : Permeable paving surfaces have been demonstrated as
pollutants in the subsurface layers.
effective in managing runoff from paved surfaces
 Permeable pavement surfaces are made of either a porous material that enables
 CONTROLLING POLLUTANTS: Permeable paving surfaces keep the pollutants in
stormwater to flow through it or nonporous blocks spaced so that water can flow
place in the soil or other material underlying the roadway, and allow water seepage
between the gaps. Stormwater flows into and is stored in an underlying stone
to groundwater recharge while preventing the stream erosion problems. They capture
reservoir. Permeable pavement is commonly used on roads, paths and parking lots
the heavy metals that fall on them, preventing them from washing downstream and
subject to light vehicular traffic, such as cycle-paths, service or emergency access
accumulating inadvertently in the environment
lanes, road and airport shoulders, and residential sidewalks and driveways.

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 TREES: Permeable pavements may give urban trees the rooting space they need to
grow to full size. A "structural-soil" pavement base combines structural aggregate
with soil; a porous surface admits vital air and water to the rooting zone. This
integrates healthy ecology and thriving cities, with the living tree canopy above, the
city's traffic on the ground, and living tree roots below.
DISADVANTAGES
 Runoff volumes - Permeable pavements are designed to replace Effective
Impervious Areas (EIAs), not to manage stormwater from other impervious surfaces
on site.
 Pollutant load - Runoff across some land uses may become contaminated, where
pollutant concentrations exceed those typically found in stormwater.
 Weight and traffic volumes - Reference sources differ on whether low or medium
traffic volumes and weights are appropriate for porous pavements.
 Siting - permeable pavements may not be appropriate when land surrounding or
draining into the pavement exceeds a 20 percent slope, where pavement is down
slope from buildings or where foundations have piped drainage at their footers.
 Climate - Cold climates may present special challenges. Road salt contains chlorides
that could migrate through the porous pavement into groundwater.
 Cost - Some estimates put the cost of permeable paving at two to three times that of
conventional asphalt paving. Using permeable paving, however, can reduce the cost
of providing larger or more stormwater BMPs on site, and these savings should be
factored into any cost analysis.
 Longevity and maintenance - Some permeable pavements require frequent
maintenance because grit or gravel can block the open pores. This is commonly done
by industrial vacuums that suck up all the sediment. If maintenance is not carried out
on a regular basis, the porous pavements can begin to function more like impervious
surfaces.
 Efflorescence - Efflorescence is a hardened crystalline deposit of salts, principally
calcium carbonates, which migrate from the center of concrete or masonry materials
to the surface, where they form insoluble deposits that harden on the surface.
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TYPES OF PERMEABLE PAVEMENT
 Pervious concrete - Pervious concrete is widely available, can bear frequent traffic,
and is universally accessible. Pervious concrete quality depends on the installer's
knowledge and experience.
 Plastic grids - Plastic grids allow for a 100% porous system using structural grid
systems for containing and stabilizing either gravel or turf. These grids come in a
variety of shapes and sizes depending on use; from pathways to commercial parking
lots.
 Porous asphalt - is produced and placed using the same methods as conventional
asphalt concrete; it differs in that fine (small) aggregates are omitted from the asphalt
mixture. The remaining large, single-sized aggregate particles leave open voids that
give the material its porosity and permeability.
 Single-sized aggregate - without any binder, e.g. loose gravel, stone-chippings, is
another alternative. Although it can only be safely used in walkways and very low-
speed, low-traffic settings, e.g. car-parks and drives, its potential cumulative area is
great.
 Porous turf - if properly constructed, can be used for occasional parking like that at
churches and stadia. Plastic turf reinforcing grids can be used to support the
increased load.
 Permeable interlocking concrete pavements - are concrete units with open,
permeable spaces between the units. They give an architectural appearance, and can
bear both light and heavy traffic, particularly interlocking concrete pavers, excepting
high-volume or high-speed roads.
 Permeable clay brick pavements - are fired clay brick units with open, permeable
spaces between the units. Clay pavers provide a durable surface that allows
stormwater runoff to permeate through the joints.
 Resin bound paving - is a mixture of resin binder and aggregate. Clear resin is used
to fully coat each aggregate particle before laying.
 Stabilized decomposed granite - is a mixture of a non-resin binder and aggregate
(decomposed granite).
 Elastomerically bound recycled glass porous pavement consisting of bonding
processed post-consumer glass with a mixture of resins, pigments, granite and
binding agents.

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