ARCHITECTURAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Architecture - the art and technique of designing of building and others, as distinguished from
the skills associated with construction.

Drainage system - drainage system is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and
sub-surface water from an area.

Function of Drainage System – the function of the field drainage system is to control water table,
whereas the function of the main drainage system is to collect, transport, and dispose of the water
through an outfall or outlet.

Types of Drainage Patterns

1. dendritic drainage pattern - is the most common form and looks like the branching
pattern of tree roots. It develops in regions underlain by homogeneous material. That is,
the subsurface geology has a similar resistance to weathering so there is no apparent
control over the direction the tributaries take. Tributaries joining larger streams at acute
angle.

2. Parallel drainage - patterns form where there is a pronounced slope to the surface. A
parallel pattern also develops in regions of parallel, elongate landforms like outcropping
resistant rock bands. Tributary streams tend to stretch out in a parallel-like fashion
following the slope of the surface. A parallel pattern sometimes indicates the presence of
a major fault that cuts across an area of steeply folded bedrock.
3. Trellis drainage - patterns look similar to their namesake, the common garden trellis.
Trellis drainage develops in folded topography like that found in the Appalachian
Mountains of North America. Down-turned folds called synclines form valleys in which
resides the main channel of the stream. Short tributary streams enter the main channel at
sharp angles as they run down sides of parallel ridges called anticlines. Tributaries join
the main stream at nearly right angles.

4. Rectangular drainage pattern - is found in regions that have undergone faulting.

Streams follow the path of least resistance and thus are concentrated in places were
exposed rock is the weakest. Movement of the surface due to faulting off-sets the
direction of the stream. As a result, the tributary streams make sharp bends and enter the
main stream at high angles.
Types of Drainage Systems

Drainage systems are classified into 2 groups:

 Surface drains
 Subsurface Drains

Surface drains

Surface drains, as the name suggests, will remove water from the ground surface prior to
infiltration and can also prevent excess water from flowing on to an area. In short, they collect
water from the ground surface and transport it to a suitable disposal point.

Surface drains can be classified into two groups:

1. Contour, swale or mowable drains are earth furrows. The surface of the drains vary
from grass to artificial creek beds.

2. Dish drains are drains constructed of hard units or sections laid to a grade on a solid
footing.

Subsurface drains

The main force which influences the movement of water through the soil is gravity. So the main
aim of subsurface drainage is to help this water movement. Subsurface drainage can also provide
a path for water to leave the soil profile when the water-table rises to its level.

Water must be able to move through the soil and into a drain and off the site. This means that
drains should be constructed so that they can transport water to where it can be discharged freely
and safely.

Drains do not pull water from the soil and it is wrong to say that an area has been over-drained. It
is more likely that the soil does not have the required water holding capacity.

Surface and Subsurface Drains Compared

Both of these drainage systems are very specific in both the way they assist drainage and the way
in which it is achieved.

 Surface drains will remove above ground water that has not, or will not infiltrate into the
soil quickly enough.
 Subsurface drains will remove excess water that exists in the soil profile.
Different Types of Drains

1. Point Drains

A point drain collects water from a single point, or gully (similar to the drain in the
middle of a shower floor). You'll find point drains in locations that need drainage from a
specific point due to structural or topographical needs. The point drain connects to drainage
pipes below the surface.

While point drains are well-suited to some projects, they often require a great deal
of excavation and deep trench support. Projects requiring multiple point drains are less
aesthetically pleasing and must be carefully designed to ensure they remove all the water.
Point drains can also be difficult to maneuver over, particularly in high traffic areas.

In addition, indoor point drains require four slopes in flooring to properly drain,
adding extra installation costs. In larger facilities, added sloped floors become cumbersome
for heavy equipment and carts as they try to move around.

2. Trench Drains

Unlike point drains, trench drains (also called channel drains) collect water from
multiple locations simultaneously all along their length. This gives the system a higher
capacity and reduces the chances of pooling or streaming water at the site. Trench drains
have a cover or grate that is flush with the adjoining surface.

Trench drains require shallower excavation and do not require extensive trench
support. They are easier to configure and can blend into their surroundings much more easily.
Because of these advantages, many projects incorporate trench drains over point drains.

Not all trench drains are created equal, however. Let's take a closer look at three
specific types of trench drains.
2.1 Cast-In-Place Trench Drains

Cast-in-place concrete is a traditional method proven for providing an extremely

strong drainage solution. To create the trench, manual laborers use wood forms and
reinforcing bar to cast the trench.

Cast-in-place drains require grates to cover the trenches. These grates can be made
from a wide variety of materials, from plastic to steel.

Overall, the disadvantages of this system far outweigh the benefits. First, cast-in-
place trench drains require a great deal of labor and time to install. They also present several
limitations over the lifetime of the drain, including non-locking grates as well as flat and
rough internal surfaces. These rough surfaces can disintegrate over time. They also decrease
hydraulic efficiencies and increase debris catchment leading to blocks.

In addition, the grates covering the trenches have several drawbacks. They are
tripping hazards and can cause problems for users in wheelchairs or with wheeled carts. In
high-traffic areas, they must be carefully designed to withstand heavy loads. They trap
bacteria and are time-consuming to clean. Grated trench drains are expensive to maintain and
require replacement over the life of the drain. Broken or missing grates are dangerous and a
liability risk.

2.2 HDPE Trench Drains

 High density polyethylene or modular HDPE is the one of the latest innovations in
drainage systems. These trench drains consist of pre-engineered modular channel sections.
The sections are lightweight and easy to install.

Smooth and durable with greater flow capacity, HDPE trench drains not only reduce
the time and cost of installation but also offer high chemical resistance in industrial
applications. However, these systems still require grates to cover the open HDPE channel.

2.3 Slot Drain Systems

The 7000 and 9000 series Slot Drain from Slot Drain Systems offer many advantages
over cast-in-place and HDPE trench drains. They are easy to install, incredibly strong, and
exceptionally durable. The also give you excellent hydraulics, chemical resistance and
structural integrity.

Most importantly, they do not have grates. This improves safety, accessibility, makes
them easy to clean and much more sanitary. The lack of grates reduces initial expense as well
as ongoing maintenance costs over the life of the drain.

Slot Drain’s modular trench drain systems are well suited for even the toughest
applications, including manufacturing and industrial facilities, parking areas, aquatic
facilities, residential landscapes, roadside drainage, and food processing and pharmaceutical
plants. Slot Drain comes with rebar clips and combination anchor tabs/leveling devices to
reduce labor during installation. This also increases the flexibility of the system to suit
unique project requirements.