Modeling Urban Sewers with Artificial Fractal Geometries

Scott Martin Jeffers; Franco Montalto; Drexel University

doi:10.14796/JWMM.C455

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Modeling Urban Sewers with Artificial Fractal Geometries

Journal article

Open access

Modeling Urban Sewers with Artificial Fractal Geometries

Scott Martin Jeffers, Franco Montalto and Drexel University

JOURNAL OF WATER MANAGEMENT MODELING, v 26

24 Oct 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14796/JWMM.C455

Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

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Abstract

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Water Resources

Sewer models are used to simulate complex urban hydrology. However, the development of empirical models can be difficult given the limited availability of sewer plans and the time required to incorporate the system layout. In contrast, fractal geometries can be used to overcome some of these constraints. In this study, two highly impervious residential urban catchments (54 ha and 24 ha) serviced by a combined sewer in East Boston, Massachusetts are modeled using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM).Two different modeling techniques are compared. The first is an empirical model using the physical characteristics of the network obtained from municipal sewer maps; the second is an abstract conceptual model incorporating fractal scaling laws often used to describe natural river basins. Both modeling approaches were calibrated with 1 month of empirical 5 min interval sewer flow measurements. The models predicted similar total discharge volumes and peak flows over the course of 10 observed rainfall events (0.5 mm to 12.7 mm). Model resolution was tested by simulating the 54 ha catchment as 1, 10, 24 and 173 subcatchments; accurate simulations could be produced for all of the resolutions.

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4 citations in Scopus

Details

Title: Modeling Urban Sewers with Artificial Fractal Geometries
Creators: Scott Martin Jeffers - Drexel University
Franco Montalto - Drexel University
Drexel University
Publication Details: JOURNAL OF WATER MANAGEMENT MODELING, v 26
Publisher: Computational Hydraulics Int
Number of pages: 11
Grant note: CBET 1150994 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) 2005-0333-010 / National Fish and Wildlife Foundation NA15OAR4310147 / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Oceanic Atmospheric Admin (NOAA) - USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Language: English
Academic Unit: Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
Web of Science ID: WOS:000493198100001
Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85057885137
Other Identifier: 991019168074404721