Modelling hydrological response of modular blue roofs for storm water control in a Mediterranean site

ABSTRACT

The paper proposes a spreadsheet-based model to simulate the hydrological response of a pilot installation of modular tray-based blue roof (BR). The BR is installed on the roof terrace of a building in the Campus of the University of Catania (Italy). The paper firstly describes the results of preliminary field experiments on the pilot aimed at evaluating hydrological parameters used in the model, i.e. the runoff coefficient and the initial abstraction of the terrace, and the evaporation from the BR. Then, the model was applied to 26 precipitation events recorded in the period from 2018 to 2020. Results of the application show a good ability of the model to reproduce the hydrological behaviour of the BR during precipitation events. Finally, the paper discusses limitations of the results obtained and potential for model improvement.

KEYWORDS:

• Blue roof
• SUDS
• modelling
• retention
• evaporation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work has been [partially] funded by the University of Catania within the projects ‘Piano della Ricerca Dipartimentale’ 2016–2018 and 2020-2022, as well as by the Italian Ministry for Research within the national project ‘PRIN 2020 – URCA!’.