MODELING OF INFILTRATION FROM TRENCHES FOR STORM-WATER CONTROL

As a means of examining the performance characteristics of an infiltra tion trench for storm-water control, the infiltration rate into the so il surrounding an infiltration trench is simulated with a two-dimensio nal saturated-unsaturated finite-element model. The model is used to e xamine infiltration rates with respect to time, depth of water in the trench, distance to the water table, surrounding soil texture, and ant ecedent moisture condition. The impact of clogging of the bottom of th e trench on infiltration rate is examined. The finite-element-model re sults are compared to results obtained using a Darcy's law approach to assess the applicability of the simple model for design purposes. The infiltration rates calculated with the simple model are shown to be c onservative.