Stormwater management system

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments describe systems, methods, and devices for a fluid-run-off system. These systems, methods and devices may include a fluid run-off system that may comprise: a layer of foundation stone, at least two stormwater chambers located above the layer of foundation stone, wherein the at least two stormwater chambers are spaced about three inches apart, a layer of embedment stone located around the at least two stormwater chambers, a layer of initial fill located above the layer of embedment stone, and a layer of final fill located above the layer of initial fill.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 ROW SPACING REDUCTION IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 774,905, filed on March 20, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for reducing aggregate in stormwater management systems, and more particularly, to reducing aggregate installed around stormwater chambers by reducing the spacing between stormwater chambers of the stormwater management system.BACKGROUND

[0003] Fluid runoff systems may include systems designed to process rainwater or other fluid runoff, particularly stormwater. Fluid management systems may include belowground systems such as underground storage chambers, concrete drainage structures, thermoplastic storage chambers, or crate-type water management systems. These systems may be used to control water in areas that may experience overloads in the local drainage system during periods of high precipitation, such as around construction sites and developed urban areas. These systems may temporarily store and divert water runoff from impervious surfaces, such as sidewalks, roads, and parking lots. These systems may then control the fluid discharge back to the environment to meter rainfall discharge from a site and reduce the risk of flooding. Stormwater also carries debris and solid contaminants, such as dirt, sand, and organic debris. Fluid management systems may be designed to receive and retain stormwater, allowing particulates to settle at the bottom of a stormwater management chamber before the stormwater is released out of the system.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304

[0004] Such below-grade fluid runoff systems may be subject to the stresses and strains imparted by surrounding layers of soil, gravel, and other materials. Further, wheel loads and track loads from heavy equipment during construction may cause stresses and strains on the chamber in addition to the stresses and strains from repetitive wheel loads by vehicles operated over the top of the finished site. Assembly and installation of existing fluid runoff systems may also be labor intensive and difficult. Further, current fluid run-off systems may require large amounts of aggregate to be backfilled around the chambers of the fluid run-off systems.

[0005] Solutions are needed to improve these and other deficiencies in fluid runoff systems. Such solutions should reduce labor and assembly costs by reducing the spacing between chambers of the fluid runoff system. Such solutions should place rows of chambers of the fluid runoff system in closer proximity to reduce the amount of aggregate that is required to backfill around the chambers. Reducing aggregate around the chambers of the fluid runoff system may reduce labor and material costs associated with installing the fluid runoff system. Reducing spacing between chambers may also allow more stormwater chambers to be installed within a below-grade area.SUMMARY

[0006] The disclosed embodiments describe systems, methods, and devices for a fluid-run-off system. These systems, methods and devices may include a fluid run-off system that may comprise: a layer of foundation stone, at least two stormwater chambers located above the layer of foundation stone, wherein the at least two stormwater chambers are spaced about three inches apart, e.g., within a range of 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a layer of embedment stone located around the at least two stormwater chambers, a layer of initial fill located above the layer of embedment stone, and a layer of final fill located above the layer of initial fill.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304

[0007] In some embodiments the layer of foundation stone may comprise at least about nine inches of foundation stone, e.g., at least 8.75 inches. In some embodiments, the layer of foundation stone may include at least one of: angular stone or recycled concrete. In some embodiments, the layer of embedment stone may extend at least about twelve inches above the at least one stormwater chamber, e.g., at least 11.75 inches. In some embodiments, the layer of embedment stone may include at least one of: angular stone or recycled concrete. In some embodiments, the layer of initial fill may extend about six inches, e.g., 5.75 - 6.25 inches, to about twelve inches, e.g., 11.75 - 12.25 inches, above the layer of embedment stone. In some embodiments, the layer of initial fill may comprise a granular soil and aggregate mixture. In some embodiments, the layer of final fill may comprise at least one of soil material or rock material. In some embodiments, the filtration fabric may comprise a woven geotextile fabric. In some embodiments, the filtration fabric may be configured to filter particulates from a flow of stormwater.

[0008] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments as claimedBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304

[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a front view of a fluid runoff system, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0011] Fig. 2 depicts a fluid runoff system, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0012] Fig. 3 depicts a fluid runoff system, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a fluid runoff system, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a fluid runoff system, according to disclosed embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It should also be noted that as used in the present disclosure and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0016] The disclosed embodiments improve deficiencies in existing fluid runoff systems. The disclosed embodiments reduce the amount of aggregate required to backfill a fluid runoff system by reducing the spacing between rows of stormwater chambers. Reducing aggregate may reduce labor and assembly costs by allowing easy field installation. Existing fluid runoff systems may include a spacing of six inches to nine inches between rows of stormwater chambers. For example, in existing fluid runoff systems, smaller stormwaterAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 chambers may be spaced about six inches apart and larger stormwater chambers may be spaced about nine inches apart. Stormwater chambers of existing fluid runoff systems include a spacing of six inches to nine inches apart to reduce foundation stone failure, subgrade failure, and overload on the stormwater chambers. For example, foundation stone failure may be caused by a foot of the stormwater chamber penetrating the foundation stone on which the stormwater chamber is installed. Foundation stone failure may reduce the overall stability of the fluid runoff system. Subgrade failure may occur when the subgrade on which the foundation stone is installed fails, which may cause overall strength and structural risks in the fluid runoff system. Overload of the stormwater chamber may cause local buckling and lack of stability in one or more stormwater chambers of the fluid runoff system. However, spacing stormwater chambers of fluid runoff systems between six to nine inches apart requires more aggregate backfill around the stormwater chambers and an increased installation area for the overall fluid runoff system. The disclosed embodiments provide improvements over the deficiencies of existing fluid runoff systems by reducing spacing between the stormwater chambers to reduce the amount of aggregate and overall installation area required to install a fluid runoff system.

[0017] Fig. 1 depicts a front view of fluid runoff system 100. System 100 may include an array of stormwater chambers 105 arranged side-by-side in rows. Although Fig. 1 depicts three stormwater chambers 105, any suitable number of stormwater chambers may be utilized within system 100. Each stormwater chamber 105 may be an open-bottom chamber with a side wall having a round or polygonal cross-section. In some embodiments, the side wall of one or more stormwater chamber 105 may be perforated. In some embodiments, stormwater chamber 105 may be corrugated. Stormwater chamber 105 may be constructed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, etc.), metal, and / or any other suitable material.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 Stormwater chamber 105 may also include an inlet endcap and an outlet endcap at its two respective ends.

[0018] As depicted in Fig. 1, stormwater chambers 105 may be placed below grade. For example, stormwater chambers 105 may be placed beneath a pavement layer 145 or below an unpaved area 150. Before installing stormwater chambers 105, nonwoven geotextile fabric 115 may be placed above subgrade soils 110. Nonwoven geotextile fabric 115 may be installed above subgrade soils 110 to provide separation between subgrade soils 110 and foundation stone 120. Filtration fabric 155 may be installed above nonwoven geotextile fabric 115. Filtration fabric 155 may capture and filter out sediment and other media from runoff as the runoff flows out of the stormwater chamber 105. In various embodiments, filtration fabric 155 may be formed from a single layer of a woven geotextile fabric, such as a woven polypropylene material. Filtration fabric 155 may capture sediment to protect the water permeable media surrounding stormwater chambers 105 from sediment accumulation, which can slow or altogether halt the percolation of the filtered runoff into the earth.Additionally, filtration fabric 155 may provide scour protection for the underlying ground. In some embodiments, filtration fabric 155 may cover the entire open bottom of each of stormwater chambers 105. In other embodiments, filtration fabric 155 may cover a portion of the open bottoms of stormwater chambers 105, such as a section adjacent to the inlet end cap. In some embodiments, a single continuous piece of filtration fabric 155 may extend beneath the entire stormwater chamber array. Alternatively, one or more stormwater chambers 105 in the array may have separate pieces of filtration fabric 155. Filtration fabric 155 may extend around the perimeter of the stormwater chamber array and also extend above the stormwater chamber array to fully surround the stormwater chamber array.

[0019] Foundation stone 120 may be installed above filtration fabric 155. In some embodiments, foundation stone 120 may comprise clean, crushed, angular stone or recycledAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 concrete. A depth of foundation stone 120 installed above filtration fabric 155 may vary. In some embodiments, a minimum of six inches to nine inches of foundation stone 120 may be installed above filtration fabric 155. In other embodiments, the minimum depth of foundation stone 120 may be less than six inches or greater than nine inches. For example, in some embodiments, when installing a larger stormwater chamber 105, a layer of about nine inches of foundation stone 120 (e.g., at least 8.75 inches) may be installed above filtration fabric 155. In other embodiments, when installing a smaller stormwater chamber 105, a layer of about six inches of foundation stone 120 (e.g., at least 5.75 inches) may be installed above filtration fabric 155.

[0020] Stormwater chambers 105 may be placed on top of the layer of foundation stone 120. Stormwater chambers 105 may receive and temporarily store rainwater and other runoff from one or more surface level drains. Over time, stormwater chambers 105 may disperse the runoff stored therein by percolation into the surrounding water permeable media through the open bottoms of stormwater chambers 105. Stormwater chambers 105 may be placed a distance D apart. In some embodiments, the distance D between two stormwater chambers 105 may range from three inches to six inches. For example, in some embodiments, smaller stormwater chambers 105 may be placed about three inches apart (e.g., within a range of 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches). In other embodiments, larger stormwater chambers 105 may be placed about six inches apart (e.g., within a range of 5.75 inches to 6.25 inches). By placing stormwater chambers 105 between about three inches to about six inches apart, installers may reduce the amount of aggregate material required to backfill around stormwater chambers 105 and may reduce the installation area required for a fluid runoff system. For example, placing stormwater chambers 105 between three inches to six inches apart may reduce the amount of aggregate material used to backfill around stormwater chambers 105 by 3.3%-5.7%. Reducing the amount of aggregate material used duringAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 installation of stormwater chambers 105 may reduce labor and material costs associated with system 100. In other embodiments, stormwater chambers 105 may be placed less than about three inches or more than about six inches apart.

[0021] Reducing the spacing between rows of stormwater chambers 105 may increase the pressures below stormwater chambers 105, specifically on foundation stone 120 and the subgrade below foundation stone 120. In some embodiments, pressures on foundation stone 120 may increase by about 15% to about 30%. Conventional fluid runoff systems included stormwater chambers spaced six inches to nine inches apart to reduce pressures on foundation stone 120. Although the disclosed embodiments reduce spacing between rows of stormwater chambers 105, the rate of foundation stone failure, as described herein, is within the range of existing fluid runoff systems with increased spacing between stormwater chambers. The increased pressure on foundation stone 120 caused by reducing spacing between stormwater chambers 105 does not cause an increased rate of foundation stone failure in fluid runoff system 100.

[0022] In some embodiments, reducing the spacing between stormwater chambers 105 may increase the pressure on the subgrade below foundation stone 120. In some embodiments, the subgrade pressure may increase by about 10% to about 20%. Increased pressure on the subgrade may increase the risk of subgrade failure caused by settlement of the subgrade below foundation stone 120. In some embodiments, an additional three inches of foundation stone 120 may be installed below stormwater chambers 105 to reduce subgrade pressure caused by reducing the spacing between stormwater chambers 105.

[0023] Reducing spacing between stormwater chambers 105 also does not increase the frequency of chamber overloading compared to existing fluid runoff systems with increased spacing between stormwater chambers. For example, deflection of the crown ofAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 stormwater chambers 105 and deflection of the feet of stormwater chambers 105 may not be increased when row spacing is reduced.

[0024] Embedment stone 130 (also referred to herein as “aggregate”) may be installed around stormwater chambers 105. In some embodiments, embedment stone 130 may comprise clean, crushed, angular stone or recycled concrete. In some embodiments, embedment stone 130 may be installed around stormwater chambers 105 and above stormwater chambers 105. In some embodiments, when installing a larger stormwater chamber 105, a minimum of about twelve inches (e.g., 11.75 inches to 12.25 inches) of embedment stone 130 may be installed above stormwater chambers 105. In other embodiments, when installing a larger stormwater chamber 105, the minimum layer of embedment stone 130 extending above stormwater chambers 105 may be greater than or less than twelve inches. In other embodiments, when installing a smaller stormwater chamber 105, a minimum of about six inches (e.g., 5.75 inches to 6.25 inches) of embedment stone 130 may be installed above stormwater chambers 105. In other embodiments, when installing a smaller stormwater chamber 105, the minimum layer of embedment stone 130 may be greater than or less than about six inches. By placing stormwater chambers 105 in closer proximity (such as three inches to six inches apart), less embedment stone 130 may be required to backfill the area around stormwater chambers 105, which may reduce labor and material costs associated with system 100. As disclosed herein, although reducing row spacing increases pressures on fluid runoff system 100, the reduced row spacing disclosed herein does not significantly increase the risk of foundation stone failure, subgrade failure, or chamber overloading when compared to conventional systems that install stormwater chambers with increased row spacing. Nonwoven geotextile fabric 115 may be installed over embedment stone 130 to surround stormwater chambers 105, foundation stone 120 and embedment stone 125.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304

[0025] Initial fill 135 may be installed above the top layer of nonwoven geotextile fabric 115. Initial fill 135 may comprise a granular, well-graded soil / aggregate mixture. In some embodiments, pavement subbase material may be used for initial fill 135. In some embodiments, six inches to twelve inches of initial fill 135 may be installed over nonwoven geotextile fabric 115. In other embodiments, more than twelve inches of initial fill 135 or less than six inches of initial fill 135 may be installed over nonwoven geotextile fabric 115. Initial fill 135 may be compacted over nonwoven geotextile fabric 115. Final fill 140 may be installed over initial fill 135. Final fill 140 may comprise any soil / rock materials, native soils, or other fill materials. In some embodiments, final fill 140 may be located directly below pavement layer 145 or unpaved area 150.

[0026] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 depict embodiments of a fluid runoff system, such as fluid runoff system 100 (as depicted in Fig. 1), which depict current spacing embodiments that do not include the row spacing reduction described herein with respect to Fig. 1. As depicted in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, the span of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 28 inches and the rise of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 14.5 inches. As depicted in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 3, the span of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 45.5 inches and the rise of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 28.5 inches. As depicted in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, stormwater chambers 105 may be spaced six inches apart. Stormwater chambers 105 may be placed on a 6-inch layer of SW95 bedding. SW95 bedding may include gravelly sand compacted to 95% of its maximum density. Stormwater chambers 105 may be backfilled with SW95, up to 18 inches above stormwater chamber 105. An additional 78 inches of SW90 backfill may be provided over the layer of SW95 backfill. SW90 backfill may include gravelly sand compacted to 90% of its maximum density.

[0027] Fig. 4 depicts an embodiment of a fluid runoff system, such as fluid runoff system 100 (as depicted in Fig. 1). As depicted in Fig. 4, the span of each stormwaterAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 chamber 105 may be about 70 inches and the rise of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 43 inches. As depicted in Fig. 4, stormwater chambers 105 may be spaced six inches apart. Stormwater chambers 105 may be placed on a 9-inch layer of SW95 bedding.Stormwater chambers 105 may be backfilled with SW95, up to 12 inches above stormwater chambers 105. An additional 66 inches of SW90 backfill may be provided over the layer of SW95 backfill.

[0028] Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a fluid runoff system, such as fluid runoff system 100 (as depicted in Fig. 1). As depicted in Fig. 5, the span of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 85 inches and the rise of each stormwater chamber 105 may be about 55 inches. As depicted in Fig. 5, stormwater chambers 105 may be spaced nine inches apart. Stormwater chambers 105 may be placed on a 12-inch layer of SW95 bedding.Stormwater chambers 105 may be backfilled with SW95 up to 12 inches above chambers 105. An additional 54 inches of SW90 backfill may be provided over the layer of SW95 backfill.

[0029] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not exhaustive and is not limited to precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations of the embodiments will be apparent from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. For example, while certain components have been described as being coupled to one another, such components may be integrated with one another or distributed in any suitable fashion.

[0030] Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scope includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and / or alterations based on the present disclosure. The elements in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples describedAttorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as nonexclusive. Further, the steps of the disclosed methods can be modified in any manner, including reordering steps and / or inserting or deleting steps.

[0031] The features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended that the appended claims cover all systems and methods falling within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “one or more.” Similarly, the use of a plural term does not necessarily denote a plurality unless it is unambiguous in the given context. Words such as “and” or “or” mean “and / or” unless specifically directed otherwise. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur from studying the present disclosure, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0032] Other embodiments will be apparent from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as example only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. A fluid run-off system, comprising:a layer of foundation stone;at least two stormwater chambers located above the layer of foundation stone, wherein the at least two stormwater chambers are spaced about three inches apart;a layer of embedment stone located around the at least two stormwater chambers; a layer of initial fill located above the layer of embedment stone; anda layer of final fill located above the layer of initial fill.

2. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of foundation stone comprises at least about nine inches of foundation stone.

3. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of foundation stone includes at least one of: angular stone or recycled concrete.

4. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of embedment stone extends at least about twelve inches above the at least one stormwater chamber.

5. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of embedment stone includes at least one of: angular stone or recycled concrete.

6. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of initial fill extends about six inches to about twelve inches above the layer of embedment stone.Attorney Docket No. 07965.0325-00304 7. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of initial fill comprises a granular soil and aggregate mixture.

8. The fluid run-off system of claim 1, wherein the layer of final fill comprises at least one of soil material or rock material.

9. The fluid run-off of claim 1, wherein the filtration fabric comprises a woven geotextile fabric.

10. The fluid run-off of claim 1, wherein the filtration fabric is configured to filter particulates from a flow of stormwater.

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