Category: Engineering

Underdrains

Underdrains

Underdrains

08/07/25

“How can we use pipes to prevent the bottom of infrastructure from getting damaged?”

During flood events, whether it’s from groundwater or rainstorms, excess water can damage the foundations of infrastructure. One simple technique to address this is to use pipes to redirect water from the bottom of the infrastructure to elsewhere. These Underdrains are an incredible tool that gives infrastructure operators much more flexibility in designs. French drains are one example of underdrains.

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Runoff Reduction Volume

Runoff Reduction Volume

Runoff Reduction Volume

08/06/25

“How do we classify the amount of stormwater runoff that can be captured and kept out of the stormwater system?”

Rain brings stormwater runoff. And when stormwater runoff is too large to control, it can lead to damaging flooding and pollution. But suppose systems, natural or human-made, are designed clever enough. In that case, they can capture some of this stormwater and prevent it from entering stormwater handling infrastructure through absorption, infiltration, evaporation, or reuse. Whatever amount of stormwater is handled through this manner is classified as Runoff Reduction Volume. Interventions like rain gardens and bioswales can increase the expected runoff reduction volume.

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

08/04/25

“How can we visualize the steady-state water storage of a stream?”

Water streams have a defined path that holds water. When operating under steady-state conditions, these streams will have a uniform profile that we can calculate for water storage known as Prism Storage. Prism storage is a fundamental idea in parts of environmental engineering and can help model numerous real-world situations.

Hydrographs

Hydrographs

Hydrographs

08/03/25

“How can we graph the amount of water predicted to arrive over time?”

Water comes in and out of zones. Sometimes, we may want to graph how this will change over time. One way to accomplish this is to plot the volume of water on the y axis and the time duration on the x axis to make a Hydrograph. We can use hydrographs to plot both water inflowing to and outflowing from an area to predict how much storage is needed. 

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Hydrological Routing

Hydrological Routing

Hydrological Routing

08/02/25

“How can we predict how the volume of water will move through a confined body over time?”

Water is a dynamic system that can move through confined physical bodies such as streams or storage units. Sometimes, we may want to model how the volumes of water will move throughout confined bodies. This task, known as Hydrological Routing, is vital for designing stormwater management systems and implementing flood controls.

Flood Attenuation

Flood Attenuation

Flood Attenuation

08/01/25

“How can we make sure that flood storage release is less intense than its intake?”

Floods occur all over the world. Unchecked, these phenomena can devastate infrastructure systems. One way to manage them is to temporarily store water and release it later. However, sometimes the water storage intake can be too intense for release. One way to solve this is to implement water slowing interventions such as bioswales or permeable pavement along outflow routes. This Flood Attenuation will lead to a lower peak outflow than inflow that occurs at a later time than the peak inflow. Flood attenuation is critical for flood mitigation and climate resilience measures.

Sediment Basins

Sediment Basins

Sediment Basins

07/28/25

“How can we capture sediment before it runs off to water bodies?”

Stormwater runoff can pick up sediment from construction sites and bring it to water bodies, leading to sedimentation. Construction operators should capture sediment from stormwater before it can cause pollution. One way to accomplish this is to build basins adjacent to construction sites that slow down rainwater runoff and allow sediment to settle before it leaves the depression. These Sediment Basins are a useful intervention for construction operators to manage sediment runoff.

Image credit: https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

07/27/25

“How can people use indigenous biochar technology to prevent algae blooms in water?”

            Nutrient runoff into water bodies can spawn algae blooms. Interventions that help soils retain nutrients and moisture create less nutrient runoff. Biochar, a charcoal substance first discovered by Indigenous Amazonians, helps soils retain nutrients and moisture. Therefore, people can apply biochar to surfaces to prevent algae blooms. This is Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms.

Why Keeping A Geothermal Heat Pump Activated During Summer Can Be Environmentally Beneficial In Places With Long Winters

Why Keeping A Geothermal Heat Pump Activated During Summer Can Be Environmentally Beneficial In Places With Long Winters

Why Keeping A Geothermal Heat Pump Activated During Summer Can Be Environmentally Beneficial In Places With Long Winters

07/26/25

“Why can keeping a geothermal heat pump activated during summer be environmentally beneficial in places with long winters?”

            Keeping an AC unit activated all summer long is typically very bad for the environment. But this might not be the case for geothermal heat pump systems. Geothermal heat pumps work by siphoning heat out of buildings in the Summer and storing it in the Earth to reuse it in the winter. In places with longer and harsher winters than summers, a thermal imbalance in the Earth can develop over time. But if the heat pump is kept on all summer and the local energy grid is clean, then this will shrink the thermal imbalance and reduce the need for external heating in the winter. This is Why Keeping A Geothermal Heat Pump Activated During Summer Can Be Environmentally Beneficial In Places With Long Winter.