ACF Environmental: Integrated Infrastructure-An Innovative Solution for Stormwater Quality and Flood Control

1. INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE
– AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
FOR WATER QUALITY AND
FLOOD CONTROL
Randy Thomas, PE
South Regional Engineer
ACF Environmental
Rthomas@acfenv.com
www.acfenvironmental.com

2. • Integrated Infrastructure Components
• P-ACB/M Pavement - Permeable Articulating
Concrete Block / Mats (PaveDrain)
• MPSS - Modular Plastic Stormwater Storage (R-
Tank)
• HPMBS - High Performance Modular Biofiltration
System (FocalPoint)
• Design and Research
• Case Studies
Integrated Infrastructure

3. Integrated Infrastructure
• New BMPs (Best Management Practices) that
Work with Nature
• BMPs that Stand Alone as Integrated
Systems to Accomplish Multiple Needs
• BMPs that Work Together to Better Manage
Stormwater: Integration
The Infrastructure of Tomorrow

4. Integrated Infrastructure

5. P-ACB: Permeable Articulating
Concrete Block
Concrete P-ACB with 3 Functions
• Pavement – Handles Traffic Loads with 6000 psi Concrete
• Drains – Open Joints Move Water Without Inlets
• Stores & Infiltrates – Stores 1” of Water

6. DETAIL A
DETAIL A
P-ACB: Unit Details

7. P-ACB: System Design
Increase rock base or add void space for additional water storage
Open Gap
~1/4”
Storage above base

8. P-ACB
Why Use
P-ACB?
• HS20/HS25 Load Rated
• High Flow – 2000 in/hr
• ADA Compliant
• Aesthetically Pleasing

9. P-ACB
P-ACB has 10X the Infiltration Rate of Newly
Installed Conventional Permeable Pavements
Newly Installed
Permeable Pavement:
50-150 in/hour
Newly Installed P-ACB:
Guaranteed 2,000 in/hour

10. P-ACB: 10X The Flow Rate – How?
PaveDrain
Blocks DO NOT
Require Filler
1
47
Pound
Block
2 3
4
56

11. P-ACB: 10X The Flow Rate –
What does that look like?
PaveDrain
Blocks DO NOT
Require Filler
47
Pound
Block
1
2 3
4
56
• 1 year old
• Permeable Pavers
• Pervious Concrete
• Pervious Asphalt
• 2 year old
• P-ACB

12. 700 Gallons drained in
less than one minute
Ft Lauderdale – P-ACB Installation
Firetruck Demonstration
P-ACB: 10X The Flow Rate –
What does that look like?

13. P-ACB: Ease of Maintenance
Whirlwind

14. P-ACB Installation: Mats

15. P-ACB Installation: Hand-Placed

16. P-ACB Applications: City Streets
Across USA

17. P-ACB Applications: City Streets
Across USA

18. P-ACB Applications: Secondary
Roads

19. P-ACB Applications: Residential
Streets

20. P-ACB Applications: Parking Lots

21. P-ACB Applications: Entry
Roundabouts

22. P-ACB Applications:
Alleyways/Street Parking

23. P-ACB Applications: Parking Stalls

24. P-ACB Applications: Road
Shoulders

25. Integrated Infrastructure

26. MPSS: Modular Plastic Stormwater Storage

27. Single Module
Size:
(W) 16.06”
(L) 26.97”
(H) 17.72”
Volume: 33.031 gallons
Double Module
Size:
(W) 16.06”
(L) 26.97”
(H) 34.65”
Volume: 65.085 gallons
Triple Module
Size:
(W) 16.06”
(L) 26.97”
(H) 51.57”
Volume: 88.135 gallons
• 95% Sustainable Void Space
• High Compressive Strength
• (33.4 PSI – ASTM D 2412 / D 2418)
• Multiple Heights
• H20 Loading – Minimum 20” Cover
MPSS: HD- Heavy Duty Tank

28. • 95% Sustainable Void Space
• Higher Compressive Strength
• (42.9 PSI – ASTM D 2412 / D 2418)
• 9.5” High
• H20 Loading – Minimum 18” Cover
MPSS: SD- Super Duty Tank

29. • 90% Sustainable Void Space
• Highest Compressive Strength (320 PSI)
• 2” Height Increments
MPSS: XD- Extreme Duty Tank

30. • 90% Sustainable Void Space
• Highest Compressive Strength (320 PSI)
• 2” Height Increments
• H20 Loading - Minimum 6” Cover
MPSS: XD- Extreme Duty Tank

31. MPSS: Assembly

32. Typical MPSS Design

33. First Installation In the US in 2003
Retention/Infiltration Tank – Arlington, VA

34. Retention/Infiltration Tank – Arlington, VA

35. Retention/Infiltration Tank – Arlington, VA

36. Retention/Infiltration Tank – Arlington, VA
Tank is backfilled ready for driveway construction on top.

37. Retention/Infiltration Tank – Arlington, VA
Overflow to Curb

38. MPSS: Characteristics
• 95% Void Space = Smaller Footprint for Water Storage
– Less disturbance of site
– Smaller excavations
– Avoid underground utilities
• Modular Versatility
– Allows Engineer Incredible Flexibility and Creativity with Design
– Offers the Contractor Numerous Possibilities to Overcome
Problems
• Easily Handles HS20 and HS25 Loads

39. Arched Chamber + Gravel
Vs
MPSS
Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse
Orange Park FL
Case Study: Reduced Footprint

40. Case Study: Reduced Footprint
Arched Chamber footprint - 40’ x 500’ x 9.5’ (7,037 cy)
Double Tank footprint - 30’ x 401’ x 5’ (2,228 cy)
Existing sewer line saved
Triple Tank footprint - 30’ X 291’ x 6.5’ (2,102 cy)

41. MPSS: Characteristics
• 95% Void Space = Smaller Footprint for Water Storage
– Less disturbance of site
– Smaller excavations
– Avoid underground utilities
• Modular Versatility
– Allows Engineer Incredible Flexibility and Creativity with Design
– Offers the Contractor Numerous Possibilities to Overcome
Problems
• Easily Handles HS20 and HS25 Loads

42. Design Flexibility: Field Adjustments
Oak Hammock Condo’s
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

43. Design Flexibility: Complex Shapes
CVS Pharmacy
Richmond, VA
Kimley-Horn

44. Design Flexibility: Adjust Top of MPSS
.51
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
Route 1 Widening - NJDOT
Edison, NJ
Finished Grade Falls Diagonally Across Site

45. Design Flexibility: Adjust Bottom of
MPSS

46. MPSS: Characteristics
• 95% Void Space = Smaller Footprint for Water Storage
– Less disturbance of site
– Smaller excavations
– Avoid underground utilities
• Modular Versatility
– Allows Engineer Incredible Flexibility and Creativity with Design
– Offers the Contractor Numerous Possibilities to Overcome
Problems
• Easily Handles HS20 and HS25 Loads

47. Compressive Strength Testing at
Independent Laboratories
33.4 psi vs 14.64 psi = SAFETY
FACTOR OF 2.28

48. Compressive Strength: Field
Verification
Unpaved Trucking Terminal Paved Truck Stop
Paved Commercial Grass Fire Lane

49. MPSS: Applications
Tank Applications
 Retention
Infiltration / Dry Well
Harvesting / Recycling
 Detention
Linear Applications
 Bio Swale
 Infiltration Trench
 Bioretention

50. Tank Application: Arlington Toyota,
Jacksonville, FL

51. Tank Application: Arlington Toyota,
Jacksonville, FL

52. Tank Application: Arlington Toyota,
Jacksonville, FL

53. MPSS: Applications
Tank Applications
Linear Applications

54. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
Water running off the road
and down an embankment
flows downhill and across
road, leading to Major Road
Repair.
VDOT built this project with
their Maintenance Crew in
Fall, 2004.

55. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
The area hadn’t seen rain in four
days, but water bled into the
excavation from the road and
embankment right away.

56. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
Backfilled with Sand,
R-Tanks drained
through two - 6” pipes.

57. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
The Sand was Compacted and
Seeded, and an Erosion
Control Blanket was Installed.

58. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA

59. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
Hurricane Gaston Dropped
14” of Rain in Less than 24
Hours on this site within
weeks of installation. The
swale worked perfectly and
with no damage.

60. MPSS Linear Application:
VDOT Route 10, Hopewell, VA
No Maintenance by
VDOT
Functioning as
Designed
June,2006

61. MPSS: Maintenance

62. MPSS Maintenance: Critical Design
Feature- Pre-Treatment
Trash Guard PLUS

63. MPSS Maintenance:
Maintenance Ports / Backflushing
Pump out MPSS to remove Sediment
Back-flushing can be
achieved through
Maintenance Port

64. Integrated Infrastructure

65. Rain Gardens Have Been In Use
Since the Late 1980’s as the
Cornerstone of Low Impact
Development (LID)
HPMBS: High Performance Modular
Biofiltration System

66. Filters Stormwater Using the
Physical, Chemical and
Biological Mechanisms of a
Soil, Plant and Microbe
Complex to Remove
Pollutants Typically Found in
Urban Runoff.
HIGH
PERFORMANCE
MODULAR
BIOFILTRATION
SYSTEM
(HPMBS)
What is HPMBS?
HPMBS: High Performance Modular
Biofiltration System

67. High Performance Biofiltration
Media
Modular High
Performance
Underdrain/Storage
Open Mesh Separator
Clean, Bridging Stone
Clean, Shredded
Hardwood Mulch
Planting
Geotextile or Liner
Envelope
What is HPMBS?
High Performance
Biofiltation Media
HPMBS: High Performance Modular
Biofiltration System

68. • Viewed as a high rate Rain
Garden/Biofiltration System
• High rate allows footprint to be
significantly smaller than
traditional Bioretention.
What is HPMBS?
HPMBS: High Performance Modular
Biofiltration System

69. HPMBS: Pre-Approved
Nutrient Removal Efficiencies
Pollutant % Removal
TSS > 80%
Total
Phosphorus
≥ 60%
Total
Nitrogen
≥ 48%
Nutrient Removal

70. To facilitate the adoption of effective technologies for pollutant source
control and remediation, the Department has created a standardized
process through which consultants, businesses and organizations can
request an agency review of a proposed strategy. Proposals receiving a
favorable review will be included in a library of accepted technologies
that will be published on the Department's website. It should be noted
that Departmental acceptance suggests that Agency experts believe a
proposed technology has the potential to be effective in a specific
application but does not imply commercial endorsement or
recommendation for use.
Lee Marchman, P.E.
State Stormwater Engineer
Engineering, Hydrology and
Geology Program
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS3566
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-8520
HPMBS: FDEP Acceptance

71. Why Do Biofiltration Systems Fail?
1. Low-Flow Soils (5 in/hour)
2. Poorly Blended Soils (Mixed On-Site)
3. Mismatched Components in Soil
Blend
4. Bridging Stone Not Paired with Soils
5. Geotextiles in Cross-Section
6. Construction Contamination
7. Lack of Maintenance
FocalPoint Resolution:
1. High-Flow Soils (100 in/hour)
2. Double-Blended @ Plant
3. Consistent Components –
Shipped in SuperSacks
4. Pre-Analyzed Bridging Stone
5. Mesh Replaces Geotextiles
6. Protected Until Commissioned
7. First Year of Maintenance
Included
HPMBS: Comparison to
Conventional Raingardens

72. HPMBS: Performance Specification

73. HPMBS: Performance Specification
In-Situ Hydraulic Conductivity Testing

74. HPMBS: Applications

75. HPMBS: Applications

76. HPMBS: Applications

77. HPMBS: Applications

78. HPMBS: Case Study
Settler’s Market
Williamsburg
Virginia

79. HPMBS: Pre-Treatment
Rain Guardian
• Developed by Anoka County
Conservation District
• Traps Trash & Debris Above Grate
• Runoff Drops Through Grate and Passes
Through Filter, Into Bioretention Cell
• Overflows Pass Through Grate BEHIND
Filter or Overtop Weir
• Maintenance is Easy.
• Remove Grate
• Shovel Sediment out of Unit
• Brush Film from Filter
• Very Inexpensive
• $1500 with Pedestrian Grate
• $1750 with H-10 Grate

80. HPMBS: Maintenance
Simple Maintenance
FocalPoint Media
•Perform Infiltration Testing Yearly
•Will IMPROVE with Time & Plant Growth
Mulch:
•Acts as a Pre-Treatment Mechanism
•Traps Trash, Sediments & Particulates
•Remove & Replace Mulch Every 6-12
Months
•Schedule will Depend on Site
Characteristics
•Cut Back Plants & Replace Dead Ones

81. Traditional Systems Are Expensive to Maintain…
Costs:
•Jet Vac Truck
•Typical Costs = $250/Hour
•Four Hour Minimum
•Cartridges Must Be Replaced Yearly
•Typical Costs = $250 - $750/ea
Virtually All Systems Have a
Bypass
•How do Property Owners KNOW They Need
Maintenance?
HPMBS: Maintenance

82. HPMBS Maintenance
•Like All Bioretention Systems, HPMBS
Systems Talk to Their Owners
•Maintain System When Holds Water for
More Than 24 Hours
•Remove Mulch & Replace
•Cut Back Plants
•Replace Dead Plants
•Costs are VERY Manageable
HPMBS: Maintenance

83. Integrated Infrastructure

84. P-ACB
MPSS
Flow
Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS System Design

85. MPSSXD
P-ACB + MPSSXD > MPSSHD
Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS-XD >> MPSS-HD System Design
MPSSHD

86. MPSSXD
P-ACB + MPSSXD > HPMBS
HPMBS
Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS-XD >> HPMBS System Design

87. P-ACB + MPSSXD > HPMBS
Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS-XD >> HPMBS System Design

88. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Design
• Replace
conventional
stormwater
inlets
P-ACB + MPSS Stormwater Inlet

89. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF Stormwater Academy
• 4 Test Sections
• Integrated
Infrastructure
• ERIK devices used to
measure permeability
• Clogged with Sandy
and Silty Soils
• Measure rejuvenation
capability

90. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF Stormwater Academy
P-ACB / Geotextile / 6” gravel / Geotextile
P-ACB / 6” gravel / Geotextile P-ACB / 6” gravel / Geotextile / MPSSXD / Geotextile
P-ACB / 6” gravel / Geogrid / 12” Gravel / Geotextile /
MPSSSD / Geotextile

91. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF Stormwater Academy

92. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF Stormwater Academy

93. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
Stormwater Academy at UCF, Orlando

94. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF Stormwater Academy
Short ERIK Test
Results
From 11,021 in/hr
to
13,602 in/hr

95. Integrated Infrastructure:
System Research
UCF – Sediment Loading and Regeneration
Average Short ERIK Values
60% to 78% Regenerated
Typical Regenerated Infiltration
of 7000 to 8900 in/hr

96. UCF Stormwater Management
Academy – Design Tools
• Pervious Pavement Design Aid
• Determine CN and C
• BMPTRAINS
• Comprehensive Stormwater
Design Tool
Available for download at:
http://stormwater.ucf.edu/computer-programs/

97. Integrated Infrastructure

98. • Engineer: E-Sciences, Orlando
• E.O.R.: Ryan Mitchell, PE
• Runoff Area: 1.4 Acres
• PaveDrain Area: 8,868 SF
• Parking Lot Cross-section
• 5.6” PaveDrain
• 6” AASHTO #57 (crushed
granite)
• 3.5’ AASHTO #2 open gravel
• FDOT Index 199, Type D2
geotextile envelope
• Stormwater Runoff Retention: 2.5”
• Stormwater Quality
Improvements:
• Reduce TSS by 95%
• Reduce Nitrogen by 95%
• Reduce Phosphorous by 95%
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

99. P-ACB Layout Drawings
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

100. P-ACB Layout Drawings
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

101. P-ACB Layout Drawings
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

102. Original Limerock Parking Lot Excavation of Gravel
Reservoir
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

103. Placement of 4 Foot Thick
Gravel Reservoir
Compaction of #57 Stone
Subbase
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

104. Starting in NE Corner with
End Blocks and Half Blocks
Colored Blocks Installed
Throughout
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

105. P-ACB Installation P-ACB Installation
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

106. Overview of P-ACB Installation
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

107. Cut P-ACB BlocksMarking Cuts on P-ACB
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

108. Completed P-ACB Installation
P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL

109. P-ACB Case Study: Highland
Avenue Parking Lot, Melbourne, FL
Cross Section
• 4 Ft of Gravel
• 4 Ft – 6 In of Undercut
• Integrated Infrastructure??

110. Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS-SD
Cross Section – Equivalent Retention Volume
• 18 In of Gravel
• 9.5 In MPSS-SD
• 21.5 In Less Undercutting
• 30 In Less Gravel
MPSS-SD
6”
12”
9.5”

111. Integrated Infrastructure:
P-ACB + MPSS-XD
Cross Section – Equivalent Retention Volume
• 6 In of Gravel
• 14 In MPSS-XD
• 28 In Less Undercutting
• 42 In Less Gravel
MPSS-XD (7 Layers)
6”
14”

112. P-ACB + MPSS Case Study:
72 Bishop Street, Portland, ME
• In Design
• Q4, 2016 Construction
• Redevelopment project design
• Design for stormwater collection and detention
• Elevated storage behind lined retaining wall
• Stormwater detention design with pipe outfall
• 2000 SF P-ACB
• 2500 CF MPSS

113. P-ACB + MPSS Case Study:
Route 54 Sidewalk Project, Fenwick Island, DE
• In Design
• Q4, 2016 Construction
• Design for High GWT, Flood Control and Pedestrian Safety
• DelDot rejected Porous Concrete due to maintenance concerns
• P-ACB Sidewalk and Pavement Shoulder Drain
• Both drain to underlying MPSS-SD drain/reservoir
• 2000 LF of Pavement treated
• 18,000 SF P-ACB
• 6,200 CF MPSS

114. P-ACB + MPSS Case Study:
Upgrades to Central Advanced WWTP, Ft. Myers, FL
• Designer: AECOM, Fort Myers
• Christian Colarusso, EI
• Donovan Bramlett, PE
• In Design
• 2017 Construction
• Conversion of Detention Basin to
P-ACB Pavement and MPSS
• +/- 17,000 CF of Storage

115. P-ACB + MPSS Case Study:
Upgrades to Central Advanced WWTP, Ft. Myers, FL
• P-ACB Finish Grade - EL 6.0
• Top of MPSS - EL 4.12
• 25 Year Peak Flood - EL 3.0
• MPSS Invert - EL 1.3
• SHGWT - EL 0.0

116. P-ACB + MPSS Case Study:
Upgrades to Central Advanced WWTP, Ft. Myers, FL
• 5300 SF P-ACB Pavement
• 8100 CF MPSS-HD – “Doubles”
• MPSS enveloped in 8 oz/sy NW Geotextile
• Void space in open gravel backfill, base and cover used for storage
• 30% Void Space
• Woven monofilament (10 % open area) geotextile filter/separator
between open gravel and subgrade

117. P-ACB + MPSS + HPMBS Case Study:
7th Street Parking Improvements, Haines City, FL
• 5000 SF Lot
• SHGWT = - 3 FT
• Provide 1” Treatment
• Infiltration Rate = 6”/Hr
• Integrated Infrastructure Solution
1. 5000 SF P-ACB
2. 20 SF HPMBS (Low Profile)
3. 58 CF MPSS-SD

118. P-ACB + MPSS + HPMBS Case Study:
7th Street Parking Improvements, Haines City, FL
• Design Concept Presented
• Summer 2016 Construction

119. P-ACB + MPSS + HPMBS Case Study:
7th Street Parking Improvements, Haines City, FL
1. Cover entire lot with P-ACB

120. P-ACB + MPSS + HPMBS Case Study:
7th Street Parking Improvements, Haines City, FL
2. 2’ X 10’ Low Profile HPMBS
• Accommodate shallow
water table
• Small footprint
• Minimal capital cost
• Minimal maintenance
costs

121. P-ACB + MPSS + HPMBS Case Study:
7th Street Parking Improvements, Haines City, FL
3. 58 CF MPSS
• Overflow from low
profile HPMBS

122. Integrated Infrastructure: Summary
• P-ACB Pavements
• High flow – 2000 in/hr guaranteed
• 1” Storage in P-ACB
• Maintainable
• ADA-Compliant
• MPSS
• High Void Ratio – 90%–95%
• Modular flexibility
• Carry traffic loads
• HPMBS
• Green Infrastructure
• High flow – 100 in/hr guaranteed
• FDEP-Approved removal efficiencies
• Integrated Infrastructure BMPs researched at
UCF

123. Randy Thomas, PE
South Regional Engineer
ACF Environmental
Rthomas@acfenv.com
www.acfenvironmental.com