Site Engineering for Landscape Architects Book

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

1 Site Engineering IS Design 1

Why Is an Understanding of This Material Important? 1

The Design Language of Site Engineering 1

Summary 17

2 Grading Constraints 19

Environmental Constraints 19

Functional Constraints 23

Summary of Critical Constraints 32

3 Contours and Form 33

Definition 33

Constructing a Section 37

Characteristics of Contour Lines 37

Contour Signatures and Landform 38

Case Studies 53

4 Interpolation and Slope 63

Topographic Data 63

Interpolation 64

Calculating Slope 68

Slope s Expressed as Ratios and Degrees 71

Slope Analysis 71

5 Grading of Simple Design Elements 77

Grading of Linear Elements 77

Grading by Proportion 87

Visualizing Topography from Contour Lines 90

Grading of Planar Areas 90

Swales to Divert Runoff 97

Area Grading Process 98

6 Grading Process 101

Introduction 101

Applying the Grading Process 103

Grading Plan Graphics 108

7 Soils in Construction 113

Role of Soil in Site Planning 113

Implications of Soils for Site Construction 113

Geotechnical Exploration and Soil Investigation 115

Soil Characteristics 117

Soil Classifi cation 118

Engineering Properties of Soils 120

Structural Soils 121

Structured Soil Volumes 122

Lightweight Soils 123

Geotextiles 123

Construction Sequence for Grading 124

Placing and Compacting Soils 126

Earthwork Specifi cations 128

8 Earthwork 129

Definitions 129

Grading Operations 130

Computation of Cut-and-Fill Volumes 131

Case Study 141

9 Storm Water Management 147

Storm Runoff 147

Hydrologic Cycle 148

Nature of the Problem 148

Management Philosophy 150

System Functions 151

Storm Water Management Strategies 153

Beyond Storm Water Management 155

Summary 156

10 Storm Water Management System Components 157

Traditional Storm Water Management System Components 157

Principles and Techniques 160

Infi ltration Systems 161

Detention Systems 164

Rainwater Harvesting Systems 168

Constructed Treatment Wetlands 170

Green Roofs 170

Bioretention Systems 174

Landscape Practices 176

Future Developments: Net Zero Water and Integrated Water Management 176

Case Studies 178

Summary 190

11 Soil Erosion and Sediment Control 191

Introduction 191

Regulatory Requirements 191

Soil Erosion Factors 192

Erosion and Sedimentation Processes 193

Erosion and Sediment Control Principles 193

Development of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan 195

Runoff Considerations 195

Construction Sequencing 196

Erosion Control Measures 196

Sediment Control Measures 202

Case Studies 202

Summary 205

12 Determining Rates and Volumes of Storm Runoff: The Rational and Modified Rational Methods 207

Introduction 207

Rational Method 208

Modifi ed Rational Method 218

Volumes of Runoff, Storage, and Release 222

Required Storage for Detention or Retention Ponds by the Modified Rational Method 224

Summary 226

13 Natural Resources Conservation Service Methods of Estimating Runoff Rates, Volumes, and Required Detention Storage 227

Introduction 227

Rainfall 229

Procedures of TR55 229

Volume for Detention Storage 242

Summary 245

14 Designing and Sizing Storm Water Management Systems 247

Management Systems 247

Design and Layout of Drainage Systems 249

Designing and Sizing Grassed Swales (Waterways) 251

Designing and Sizing Pipe Systems 262

Designing and Sizing Subsurface Drainage 270

Designing and Sizing Rainwater Harvesting Systems 275

Designing and Sizing Integrated Water Management Systems 277

Summary 277

15 Site Layout and Dimensioning 279

Hierarchy of Dimensioning 280

Dimensioning Guidelines 281

Horizontal Layout Methods 283

Layout Plans 288

16 Horizontal Road Alignment 291

Types of Horizontal Curves 291

Circular Curve Elements 293

Circular Curve Formulas 293

Degree of Curve 295

Stationing 297

Horizontal Sight Distance 300

Construction Drawing Graphics 300

Horizontal Alignment Procedures 300

Superelevation 301

Case Study 305

17 Vertical Road Alignment 311

Vertical Curve Formula 312

Equal Tangent Curves 313

Calculating the Locations of High and Low Points 315

Unequal Tangent Curves 318

Construction Drawing Graphics 321

Vertical Sight Distances 322

Road Alignment Procedure 322

Appendix I: Table of Metric Equivalents 327

Appendix II: Metric Drawing Scales 329

Glossary 331

Bibliography 337

Index 341