Modular Precast Storm Water Vault with Removable Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storm water collection systems often overflow, leading to flooding and wastage, especially in water-scarce regions, as they lack effective retention and treatment capabilities for reusing the water.
Innovation Solution
A modular storm water vault system using precast concrete components with hollow columns and permeable roof panels that capture, treat, and store storm water, incorporating filtration devices and customizable designs for various applications, including irrigation and emergency use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional storm water collection systems are used to gather and discharge excess water, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the system overflows during heavy rain causing flooding and water waste
Solution Approach 1:
The storm water collection system is divided into separate functional modules: collection area, treatment chamber with filtration components, storage vault, and distribution system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability to prevent flooding.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber and storage vault are nested within the same underground structure. The vault contains both the treatment components (filters, separators) and storage capacity, creating a compact integrated system that provides reliable flood prevention without excessive complexity.
2Loss of substance
If storm water is discharged directly into rivers or lakes, then the discharge process is simple and quick, but water is wasted especially in water-scarce regions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding storm water directly into natural bodies, the system recovers the water through treatment and storage. The filtration chamber removes contaminants, the vault stores the treated water, and the distribution system delivers it for beneficial uses like irrigation, thereby preventing water waste while maintaining reasonable implementation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive treatment mechanisms where storm water automatically flows through filtration media and separation chambers based on gravity, requiring minimal external energy input or complex control systems, thus reducing water waste without significantly increasing implementation complexity.
3Reliability
If treatment mechanisms are integrated into the storm water system, then water quality is improved for reuse, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple treatment functions are merged into a single integrated chamber: hydrodynamic separation of oil and grease, particulate filtration through media, and sedimentation. This consolidation achieves reliable water quality improvement for reuse while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining rather than multiplying components.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a separator for oil and grease, a filter for particulates, a sedimentation tank, and a pre-treatment stage for the storage vault. This multi-functionality ensures reliable water quality for various reuse applications without proportionally increasing system complexity.
4Reliability
If underground vaults are used for storm water retention, then flooding is prevented and water is stored for future use, but access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The roof panels are designed as removable access points that can be taken out to provide maintenance access to the treatment chamber and vault interior. This extraction of the roof covering at strategic locations enables personnel and equipment to reach internal components for cleaning and repair while maintaining the vault's flood prevention and storage capabilities when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vault is designed with built-in access mechanisms and clearance spaces that are prepared in advance for maintenance activities. Cleaning access points and equipment pathways are incorporated into the original design, allowing straightforward maintenance operations without requiring complex retrofits or difficult access procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents flooding, treats and stores storm water for future use, reducing waste and providing a sustainable water source for irrigation and emergency purposes, while allowing for easy maintenance and access.
Implementation Method 1
Hollow columns are desirable due to their reduced weight and have the added benefit of possibly providing a fluid flow path therethrough
Implementation Method 2
Some of the columns used to support the roof panels may be at least partially hollow that are placed in operable communication with a grate, or other device integrated into the roof panel. As water flows through the grate it will enter the column and discharge through an outlet formed in the column to fill the storm water vault
Data Source
AI summary
A precast concrete storm water vault comprised of modular precast concrete components is provided. More specifically, a vault is provided that consists of a perimeter of footings with integral vertical walls extending therefrom that supports precast concrete roof panels that comprise the top horizontal structural for the placement of pavers, a fill, base, or a driving surface. The storm water vault disclosed may be combined with a filtration system and has easily removable roof panels that facilitates maintenance and cleaning.