The use of real-time control (RTC) as an adaptation technique for improving existing stormwater systems has been gaining attention in recent years for its ability to enhance water quality and quantity treatment. A case study RTC retrofit of seven existing detention basins was simulated for a small (162 ha), urbanized watershed in Blacksburg, VA. Two heuristic, reactive control algorithms were tested and compared for their ability to improve hydraulic conditions at each detention basin and the watershed outlet through manipulation of an actuated valve, under various permutations of RTC retrofitting (single facility, multiple facilities, etc.). Change in peak flow during 24-hour design storms was assessed. RTC only reduced peak flows at some of the facilities for storms with a return period of 2 years or less. For larger storms, RTC maintained or increased peak flow rates. During a 15-year simulation with historic precipitation data, total duration of erosive flows was reduced for most facility retrofit simulations; however, the duration of high intensity flows increased, or remained unchanged. This result was also reflected at the watershed outlet. / Master of Science / Stormwater management helps protect natural waterways from the harmful impacts of human development. A growing field of research is investigating the potential for “smart” technologies to improve the efficiency of existing stormwater facilities. This study investigates the application of a “smart” stormwater retrofit, known as real-time control (RTC), to existing stormwater management facilities located in a small case study watershed. The RTC system is composed of hypothetical internet-connected sensors and control valves which control flows at several points within the test watershed. Two control algorithms were tested, and compared to the current conditions (scenario with no RTC), for a large range of storm events. Results of this study found that RTC would lead to improved stream health for most rainfall events, but could potentially worsen conditions for the largest, most rare storm events. In addition, RTC was found to be much more effective at some points in the watershed than other points. Prediction of where RTC will be most effective should be the focus of future research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/90288 |
| Date | 18 June 2019 |
| Creators | Schmitt, Zoe Kendall |
| Contributors | Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dymond, Randel L., Young, Kevin D., Hodges, Clayton Christopher |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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