An evaluation of enhanced geotextile layer in permeable pavement to improve stormwater infiltration and attenuation

Abstract

This paper reports on an evaluation of the properties of a novel structure known as OASIS® which was designed at Coventry University as an enhancement of the commercially available geotextiles when incorporated in the permeable pavement system (PPS). The impact on the hydraulic behaviour of a PPS was analysed through the study of infiltration rate, throughout the PPS and time required to reach the steady-state stage behaviour of the water within the PPS, under extreme rainfall intensities of 100 mm/hr, 200 mm/hr and 400 mm/hr, corresponding to a 100-year return period rainfall over a duration of 15 min in different parts of the world. The result indicated that the novel structure provides an extra benefit when incorporated in PPSs, delaying peak flow of a rainfall event by retaining and storing great volumes of water within its structure. These additional benefits are especially important under extreme rainfall events.

Keywords::

• infiltration behaviour
• permeable paving
• SuDS
• stormwater
• geotextile

Acknowledgements

Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda and Jorge Rodriguez-Hernandez would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the research project with reference BIA2009–08272 of the Spanish National R&D&I Programme 2008–2011. Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda also wishes to thank the financial support of the FPI grant.