Modular Storm Water Management System Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban development leads to impervious surfaces that cause urban runoff, contaminating receiving waters, necessitating effective storm water management systems to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular storm water management system comprising connecting columns and slabs that can be arranged to perform functions such as retention, detention, infiltration, and conveyance, allowing for the collection, slow release, or infiltration of storm water, and movement of water across paved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If natural surfaces are replaced with impervious surfaces for urban development, then construction efficiency and urbanization progress are improved, but storm water runoff and surface water contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the impervious surface into modular sections with integrated storm water management features. Concrete sections are separated by gaps that allow water infiltration, and manholes are strategically positioned to collect and manage runoff from each segment, transforming the harmful runoff into a manageable flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate structures (manholes and gaps between concrete sections) that mediate between the impervious surface and the underlying ground. These intermediaries capture storm water runoff, allow infiltration, and prevent direct contamination of receiving waters while maintaining the urban development infrastructure.
2Reliability
If traditional storm water management systems are used, then storm water control is achieved, but installation time and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storm water management system is segmented into standardized modular concrete sections that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for parallel construction activities and reduces the overall installation time while maintaining reliable storm water control through the integrated design of each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the construction process by using pre-cast concrete sections with standardized dimensions and integrated storm water features. This parameter standardization transforms the construction process from custom fabrication to modular assembly, significantly reducing installation time while preserving storm water management effectiveness.
3Strength
If rigid concrete surfaces are used for urban projects, then structural strength and durability are improved, but water infiltration and natural surface replication are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid concrete surface is segmented into discrete sections with intentional gaps between them. Each concrete section maintains full structural strength for load-bearing purposes, while the gaps between sections restore water infiltration capability, effectively decoupling the structural function from the hydrological function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different qualities to different locations: the concrete sections provide structural strength and durability where needed, while the gaps between sections provide water infiltration and natural surface characteristics. This local differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different parts of the same system.
Data Source
AI summary
A storm water drain system and methods of assembling the same are provided. The system can be arranged to provide a water management function such as retention, detention, conveyance, or infiltration. The system can include a plurality of support modules positioned adjacent to one another to form a top deck, a bottom deck, and an interior space between the top deck and the bottom deck. The plurality of support modules can include a support module that has a bottom corbel extending from an outer surface of the support module. The bottom corbel can be located within the interior space and have a surface that contacts a portion of the bottom deck.