View Important Policies and System Requirements for this course

Interested in registering 5 or more engineers for a course? Contact us for information and rates.

INSTRUCTOR: 
Mark Peterson, P.E.

Purpose and Background

Storm sewer design requires an understanding of urban hydrology, surface flow hydraulics, inlet hydraulics and pipe flow hydraulics. It also usually requires an understanding of the computer software that is used for analysis. This seminar will provide instruction on how to go through the entire process of designing a storm sewer system. The course will be generally based on the current version of the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). It will also include other important analyses that are not included in SWMM.

SWMM is a rainfall-runoff computer model used for single event simulation of runoff quantity from primarily urban areas. It was originally developed by EPA in 1971 and is a windows-based public-domain program. The runoff component of SWMM operates on a collection of subcatchment areas that receive precipitation and generate runoff. The routing portion of SWMM transports this runoff through a system of pipes, channels, storage/treatment devices, pumps, and regulators. SWMM tracks the quantity of runoff generated within each subcatchment, and the flow rate and flow depth in each pipe and channel during a simulation period comprised of multiple time steps. There are a number of default values that are inherent in the use of the SWMM model and the reasons to use the default values, or change them, will be discussed. Assumptions inherent in the use of the SWMM model and limitations of the software will also be discussed, along with evaluation of the results. Use of this program will be accomplished through examples and class exercises. Computers will be provided for use by participants (Alternately, we could require that participants bring their own laptops, with the SWMM program already installed).

In addition, instruction on the SWMM model, the seminar will include instruction on calculations for gutter flow and the capacity of inlets, including grates and curb openings. This aspect of storm sewer design is often overlooked and can result in a storm sewer system that does not have the intended capacity. It will also include information on the necessity for erosion protection at the outlet of storm sewers and provide guidance on the design of this protection.

The basis for any rainfall-runoff model is good rainfall data. This course will discuss a variety of sources of rainfall data, including those available from the National Weather Service.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Select appropriate rainfall values for use in any software application
• Develop appropriate subcatchment data for use in the EPA SWMM model.
• Develop appropriate storm sewer trunk line data for use in the EPA SWMM model
• Evaluate the proposed storm sewer trunk line for adequate capacity
• Use the EPA SWMM model to evaluate the capabilities of a detention pond and outlet structure to reduce peak flow values
• Compute the capacity of various inlet configurations in both on-grade and sag locations
• Design appropriate erosion protection at the outlets of storm sewer

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Who Should Attend?

• Water Resource Engineers
• Construction Engineers
• Utility Engineers
• Designers
• Project Managers

This course is for persons involved with the design of storm sewers. This includes. This could include design engineers, technicians, and regulatory officials. The course is technical in nature but the use of the SWMM model requires only basic computer skills.

Outline

DAY 1

• Introduction and Welcome
• Rainfall Data Sources
• Rainfall input into SWMM
• Subcatchment Data input into SWMM
• Storm Sewer Trunk Line input into SWMM

DAY 2

• Detention Pond Capacity and Structure Data input into SWMM
• Viewing and Analyzing output data from SWMM for Trunk Line Capacity
• Viewing and Analyzing output data from SWMM for Detention Pond and Outlet Structure Capacity
• Computing inlet capacity for grates and curb openings
• Erosion protection for storm drain outlets

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 1.4 CEU /14 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 30 days of the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]