Modelling the hydraulic response of permeable pavementsa numerical and experimental approach for model comparison and sensitivity analysis to design parameters

Resumen

Permeable Pavements (PP) are a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) technique. Unlike other such techniques, it provides a transitable hard surface while managing surface stormwater, being its hydraulic properties fundamental for its performance as a SUDS. This dissertation explores the hydraulic performance of PPs, based on the hydrologic-hydraulic model of PP provided in the widely used Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). The dissertation is presented in a \textit{three-paper} format. Accordingly, after an approach to the general research question given in the first introductory chapter, the second chapter of the document analyses which parameters are the most influential and which are negligible in the model by providing a general sensitivity analysis. The next chapter explores the relation between the PP model from SWMM and the widely used Curve Number (CN) model regarding runoff generated by both models and examines the relationship between both approaches based on the pavement permeability variable. The fourth chapter analyses the PP response under controlled experimental conditions and compares it with the PP model given in SWMM. After a general discussion of the results in the fifth chapter, general conclusions are given in the last chapter. The dissertation deepens the understanding of the hydraulic behaviour of PPs to help practitioners and researchers with its characterisation.