
Subsurface drainage consists of three basic elements (Figures 1, 2 and 3):
- A permeable base to provide for rapid removal of water which enters the pavement structure. ...
- A method of conveying the removed water away from the pavement structure. ...
- A filter layer (such as a geotextile, graded aggregate layer or HMA) to prevent the migration of fines into the permeable base from the subgrade, subbase or shoulder base material. ...
What is the function of a drainage system?
What is the purpose of drainage system? The function of the field drainage system is to control the water table, whereas the function of the main drainage system is to collect, transport, and dispose of the water through an outfall or outlet.
How to install a foundation drainage system?
How to install a Perforated Drainage Pipe
- Dig the trench. Prior to doing any digging, you’ll have to prepare your property. ...
- Create a proper slope. Use a sledgehammer to drive stakes/markers into the soil in the trench every four feet or so. ...
- Level the soil. Using a tamper, pack the soil in the trench to create a solid base. ...
- Add geotextile and gravel. ...
- Place the pipe. ...
- Finish. ...
What is sustainable urban drainage system?
What is a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS)? Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDs) offer a natural approach to managing drainage. When vegetation and permeable surfaces are replaced by concrete, paving or roofed structures, less surface water is absorbed into the ground and more is directed to the surface water drains.
What is a catch basin street drainage system?
They are used to redirect water in an aim to prevent flooding and are common on public streets but may also be installed on private properties. Catch basins collect rainwater or melted snow, transporting runoff to a sump, reservoir, or treatment facility.

What is a subsurface system?
Subsurface Drainage Service This type of system not only captures any water beneath your floor but also captures and releases any water in cinder block or stone foundation walls. The basic functions of surface drains are as follows: They allow drainage of excessive quantities of surface water with ease and spontaneity.
Where is subsurface drainage used?
Subsurface drainage systems are commonly used in areas where soil will not drain quickly on its own. Many agricultural fields require such systems to prevent crop flooding and allow work to continue.
What are the types of sub surface drainage?
There are 4 main types of subsurface drainage systems: corrugated and PVC slotted subsurface pipes. mole drainage (including mole drains, mole drains over collector pipe systems and gravel mole drains) interceptor drains.
What is the difference between surface drainage and subsurface drainage?
Surface drainage refers to the removal of surface water by development of the slope of the land utilizing systems of drains to carry away the surplus water. In subsurface drainage open ditches and tile fields intercept groundwater and carry it off.
Why is subsurface drainage important?
Artificial subsurface drainage increases productivity on land where high water table or soil moisture conditions prevent the gravitational movement of water from the root zone.
Why subsurface drainage is provided?
Subsurface drainage lowers the watertable and removes excess water through open ditches or perforated pipe. Watertable depth can be controlled by installing a weir on the drainage system. During wet periods, the watertable is lowered so the root zone remains unsaturated.
How do you install a subsurface drainage system?
The construction process of subsurface pipe drainage system will be explained....Outlet construction.Setting out alignments and levels.Grade Control.Excavating the trenches.Placing the drain pipes.Placing the envelopes.Installation of the junctions/manholes.Backfill of the trenches.More items...•
What are the 4 different types of drainage?
The Four Types Of Drainage Systems For Your HomeSurface Drainage System.Subsurface Drainage System.Slope Drainage System.Downspout and Gutter Systems.Contact All Aspects Waterproofing For Your Drainage Needs!
What are the elements of sub drainage?
Subsurface drainage consists of three basic elements (Figures 1, 2 and 3):...Capillary rise.A permeable base to provide for rapid removal of water which enters the pavement structure. ... A method of conveying the removed water away from the pavement structure.More items...
What are the problems of subsurface drainage?
The main water quality concern about subsurface drainage is the increased loss of nitrates and other soluble constituents that can move through soil to drainage systems and end up in nearby surface water.
What is sub surface drainage disadvantages?
A disadvantage of subsurface drainage is that its often more costly to implement per unit area compared to surface drainage, especially for fine textured soils.
What are the three types of drainage system?
The types of drainage systems will allow you a better comprehension of their roles and how they work together.Surface Drainage System. Surface drainage systems remove excess water from the land's surface through channels or ditches. ... Subsurface Drainage System. ... Slope Drainage System. ... Downspouts and Gutter Systems.
What is subsurface drains in road construction?
Subsurface drainage is concerned with removing water that percolates through or is contained in the underlying subgrade. This water, typically the result of a high water table or exceptionally wet weather, can accumulate under the pavement structure by two chief means: Gravity flow.
What is subsurface drainage in civil engineering?
Subsurface drainage is a process of removal of moisture (water) beyond the surface. The development of the science of soil mechanics has shown that the increase in the moisture content of the soil beyond certain leads to a decrease in the strength of the soil.
Why is subsurface drainage necessary for flexible pavement?
Proper drainage is important to ensure a high quality long lived pavement; moisture accumulation in any pavement structural layer can cause problems. Moisture in the subgrade and aggregate base layer can weaken these materials by increasing pore pressure and reducing the materials' resistance to shear.
What are the benefits of agricultural drainage?
i. Drainage promotes beneficial soil bacteria activity and improves soil tilth. ii. There is less surface runoff and soil erosion on drained land.
What is subsurface drainage?
Subsurface drainage is a process of removal of moisture (water) beyond the surface. The development of the science of soil mechanics has shown that the increase in the moisture content of the soil beyond certain leads to a decrease in the strength of the soil. It is, therefore, necessary to have an efficient sub-surface drainage system ...
What is the main object of subsurface drainage?
The main object of sub-surface drainage is to keep the highest water table level fairly w the level of subgrade so that the subgrade and pavement layers are not subjected to excessive moisture. The methods adopted for sub-surface drainage can be grouped into the following three categories:
What is the movement of capillary water?
movement of capillary water; percolation of water into the subgrade through cracks on the road surface; rise or fall in the level of the water table; seepage of water into the subgrade from higher ground adjacent to the road; transfer of moisture either from or to the soil in the verges as a result of difference in moisture content;
What are the conditions or circumstances which require the provision of a suitable sub-surface drainage system?
Following are the conditions or circumstances which require the provision of a suitable sub-surface drainage system: The road is at the foot of a hill and there are chances of the road being damaged by water coming from the top. The road is in cutting and there are chances of considerable seepage in the slopes.
Why do we need a pipe drain?
The pipe drains serve the following purposes: They intercept water before it reaches the road bed. It lower the level of the ground water and thus allow the ground to dry out. it will reduce the injurious action of frost by removing the moisture from the road surface.
When there are chances for water to reach the level of subgrade through the capillary rise, it becomes necessary to?
When there are chances for water to reach the level of subgrade through the capillary rise, it becomes necessary to arrest such action by providing suitable capillary cut-off between the subgrade and highest water table level. When the construction of road in embankment is in progress, the capillary cut-off may be provided in one of the following ways:
Why do you need to seal the top of the drainage trench?
The top of the drainage trench in which the filter material has been placed must be properly sealed because the surface runoff generally contains some silty material and if it runs into the filter, it might clog the pours and reduce the effectiveness of the filter.
What is subsurface drainage?
Subsurface Drainage. Subsurface drainage is concerned with removing water that percolates through or is contained in the underlying subgrade. This water, typically the result of a high water table or exceptionally wet weather, can accumulate under the pavement structure by two chief means: Gravity flow. Water from surrounding areas can be absorbed ...
How does water flow through pavement?
Water from surrounding areas can be absorbed by the soil then flow by gravity to areas underneath the pavement structure . In pavement with high air voids (above 8 – 9 percent), water can percolate down through the pavement structure itself. Capillary rise.
What is a filter layer?
A filter layer ( such as a geotextile, graded aggregate layer or HMA) to prevent the migration of fines into the permeable base from the subgrade, subbase or shoulder base material. Excess fines in the permeable base will clog its drainage routes and render it ineffective.
Can asphalt be treated permeable?
Based on recent research from California, asphalt treated permeable base layers may strip and become clogged with fines thus weakening the overall pavement structure. A method of conveying the removed water away from the pavement structure. At the least, this may consist of a base sloped towards a drainage ditch.
Why do we need surface drains?
They find use in situations where excessive water has accumulated due to rainfall, increasing losses from the conveyance channels, over irrigation, water run-off from areas of high elevation. These drains provide a steady and spontaneous mechanism for drainage of surface water.
Is surface drain labor intensive?
The installation process of surface drains is relatively less labor intensive. They are easier to install and maintain. However, frequent monitoring and cleaning are required for them to function to the best of their potential. Professionals always lay down guidelines for clients during the installation of drainage systems. Surface drains usually sport a metal grating and thereby constitute a convenient and instinctive drainage system.
How to convey surface water to subsurface drainage system?
If you need to convey surface water to the subsurface drainage system through surface inlets, NRCS guidelines suggest using the drainage coefficients in Table 2 , depending on inlet and soil type. Apply the selected coefficient to the entire watershed contributing runoff to the surface inlet, unless a portion of the runoff is drained in a different way.
What is the goal of drainage system design?
The goal of drainage system layout and design is to adequately and uniformly drain a field or area. Field topography and outlet location/elevation typically are the major factors considered in planning a drainage system layout, with topography greatly influencing what layout alternatives are possible.
What is the desired drainage coefficient?
The desired drainage coefficient. The degree of surface drainage. If there’s an abrupt transition from lighter to heavier soil, it’s better to keep the drains above the heavy layer, when possible. Spacing drains closer together results in a higher drainage coefficient and faster drainage.
What is the ideal drainage system?
An ideal drainage system would have a uniform drain depth. In the real world, topography and system layout determine drains’ actual depths. A system layout that poorly matches field topography will result in a wide variation of drainage depths and uneven field drainage.
What are drainage goals?
Goals include removing water from an isolated problem area, improving drainage in an entire field, intercepting a hillside seep and so on.
What does the plus sign mean in a drainage system?
Plus sign (+) if content is closed, 'X' if content is open. Capacity and drainage coefficient. To protect crops, a subsurface drainage system must be able to remove excess water from the upper portion of the active root zone 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rain. More information on excess/drainable soil water.
Why is improved surface drainage necessary in Minnesota?
Improved surface and subsurface drainage is necessary for some Minnesota soils to optimize the crop environment and reduce production risks.
Who decides which subsurface drainage system to use?
Farmers and drainage contractors can often decide which subsurface drainage system to use based on some simple on-farm tests.
What are the benefits of subsurface drainage?
Subsurface drainage provides many long-term sustainability intangible benefits , such as: improvement in soil health due to the increased aeration of the soil. increased responses to fertiliser use. reduced mineral imbalances in the soil and sometimes in the plants as well.
What is the most suited drainage system?
The most suited drainage system is influenced by: soil type. topography. rainfall. outfall type and location. Drainage systems are expensive to install but, if they're well maintained, their benefits outweigh their initial cost.
Why install surface drains?
Install surface drains to drain excess surface water off paddocks before installing your subsurface drains. This will reduce the load on the underground drainage system and allow you to install an effective subsurface system at a lower cost.
Where do mole drains go?
Mole drains are then installed at or close to a right angle to the direction of the pipes. Excess ground water flows into and along the mole drains, then drains into the porous backfill above the pipes, and then is quickly removed to outfalls via the subsurface collector pipes.
How does drainage affect pasture?
Drainage, by reducing pugging and creating favourable soil environments, results in the retention of the improved pasture species, instead of promoting the influx of plants suited to waterlogged conditions such as rushes, fog grass, glyceria species and water couch.
How long does a drainage system last?
Correctly installed and maintained, these systems can last many years. Regular inspection of outfalls is necessary, as this is the weak link in all drainage systems.
What is the purpose of surface drainage?
The purpose of a surface drainage system to prevent water from pooling or flooding on a property. These systems remove the excess water from the land’s surface via channels or ditches. In some cases, the surface of the ground may be graded or shape in order to create sloping to these channels.
What are the different types of drainage systems?
The four main types of residential draining systems include surface, subsurface, slope, and downspouts, and gutter systems .
What is the purpose of a downspout?
Regardless, the main purpose of a downspout and gutter system is move water off of a roof and route it to the other drainage systems in place on the street or at the sidewalk. In some cases, they may be connected to an underground sewer line via gutter drains, or “underground drains.”
How deep is a medium drain?
Medium depth open drains, on the other hand, are usually between one foot a one meter deep and are best suited for flat areas. In most cases, an excavator is used to create these drains with a flat bottom and a V-shaped trench. These drains must feature a gradient that is steep enough to permit water to flow quickly without causing damage to the drain itself.
What is the purpose of an open drain?
Their main purpose is to help remove excess water in shallow depressions. While they are meant to direct water to larger streams or drains, a shallow open drain can only drain small areas and is more of a temporary solution.
Why is a drainage system important?
Drainage systems are required for any structure, whether it’s residential or commercial. They help prevent flooding, structural damage, and mold and mildew growth. By knowing the various types of drainage system, it makes it easier to understand how, in many cases, multiple types work together to collect, remove, and direct water to the appropriate location.
What is slope drainage?
Slope drainage systems are designed to allow water to flow away from a structure in a downward direction. Pipes are installed on an incline to naturally move the water down the slope.
How does a surface drainage system work?
The surface drainage system is essentially a network of shallow channels and buried in a small (30-50 cm) depth of pipes that drain water from the surface of the soil into the storm sewer, and in its absence — into the roadway, the river, on a low relief or in a special well. Such a network helps to get rid of lawns after melting snow and heavy rains, prevents washing of the fertile layer, damage to the bridge and the Foundation of the streams of water pouring from the roof of the house. If it is available on the site in the fall can reduce the level of groundwater, and thus reduce the frost heaving soil.
When is deep drainage arranged?
Deep drainage is arranged at an early stage of development of the site and in any case before the beginning of landscape works
What are drainage trays made of?
Nowadays, the main elements of the drainage system — drainage trays and rain collectors -are made of concrete (by vibropressing), polymer concrete, polymer composites (polymer resins with different fillers) and plastic (mainly polypropylene). These materials, in addition to plastic, are quite expensive, besides the installation ...
How deep should a wetlands drain be?
Deep drainage is a system of perforated pipes (drains) with a diameter of 100-200 mm, laid at a depth of 0.5–1.6 m below the slope to the point of the catchment (but in any case not below the water-resistant plates). Usually cost one or two loops of such drains at the perimeter of the house. They are placed inside the filter, consisting of a layer of geotextile and sand and gravel backfill. To fine particles of silt that has penetrated through the filter, does not clog the system, on the corners and in the joints of the pipe are satisfied with the wells-settlers with a depth of 40-60 cm, counting from the axis of the drains. And at the bottom of the system have a drainage well, the water from which is pumped to the terrain or to the sewer using an automatic drainage pump.
How much slope do channel spouts need?
Channels need to give a slope of approximately 1% in the direction of the spout; the lid should be flush with the draining surface, so the strips indicate with the help of pegs and stretched between them the cord. Then proceed to the construction of the Foundation for trays and containers.
Where is the water inlet for storm water?
Storm-water inlets often feature under the gutters of the roof, and the playing of the pipes of the water supply system, at least — in places where, because of topography, possible local accumulation of water.
What is linear system?
Linear systems consist of channels laid flush with the surface of the soil, and are designed to collect water from the yards, roads and paths, which give a slight slope towards the water receivers.
