A simplified approach for the design of infiltration trenches

The use of infiltration trenches has proven to be useful to reduce runoff in urban surfaces. The design of these structures is based on the continuity equation taking into account inflow, outflow and detention water volumes. Basic procedures evaluate entering flow rates and relative volumes directly as a function of rain event characteristics, without taking into account rain-runoff processes occurring in the watershed. An improved simplified procedure, based on the kinematic model for the description of rain-runoff processes, has been developed here using a dimensionless approach. The procedure and the relative applicative design graphs are presented and discussed.