Investigation of a Flow Modulation System for Siphonic Roof Drainage Systems

David P. Campbell

School of the Built Environment, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.

DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.55055                

Abstract

Siphonic roof drainage systems (SRDS’s) have been widespread used now for approximately 40 years and are an efficient method of removing rainwater rapidly from roofs. SRDS’s are designed to run full-bore, resulting in sub-atmospheric system pressures with high hydraulic driving heads and higher system flow velocities than conventionally guttered systems. Hence, SRDS’s normally require far fewer downpipes, and the depressurised conditions also mean that much of the collection pipework can be routed at a high level, thus reducing the extent of any underground pipework. But, they work properly at only one roof run-off rate and therefore suffer from sizing and operational problems including noise and vibration which limit their performance and adoption rate. Climate change is creating situations where normal ranges of rainfall intensity are being frequently exceeded, so the typical:storm ratios (r_TS) are large increasing. Current SRDS’s typically operate within a small r_TS range of 2. This may have an impact on the future uptake of SRDS’s. This paper describes the development of a novel SRDS which includes a small mobile cap at the roof of outlet appears to offer benefits and avoids sizing problems associated with current SRDS’s. The cap has the potential to avoid noise associated with making and breaking siphonic action through flow modulation. Laboratory scale tests demonstrate the basic feasibility of the cap system and indicate that the cap functions reliably. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Basic on sizing and design optimiza-tion factors are suggested. The r_TS range is increased from approximately 2 to approximately 6.

Keywords

Siphonic Roof Drainage System; Rainfall; Climate Change; Modulated Flow

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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