Infiltration and surface runoff processes on pavements: Physical phenomena and modelling

The stormwater runoff and infiltration performance of pavement structures has been systematically evaluated within an extensive research project. Over 230 field and lab scale experiments have been completed and analyzed for surface runoff and infiltration characteristics as well as for water content changes inside the construction. The test series comprises several types of conventional and explicitly permeable structures under various boundary conditions. In addition, the field data have been superimposed on the results of former infiltration tests accomplished by several researchers to a unique database containing over 350 single infiltration tests and enabling substantive statistical analyses. Based on these widespread monitoring results, the primary characteristics of the specific infiltration phenomenon on pavements have been determined. The analyses yield to an identification of the governing constraints, to a quantification of their impacts on the infiltration capacity of the entire pavement construction and finally to the development of an advanced conceptual approach for modelling runoff and infiltration processes on pavement structures. Moreover, profound recommendations for type specific infiltration rates, runoff coefficients and parameter values for conventional applications have been worked out, which facilitate planners a better estimation of the stormwater runoff contributed by the manifold types of more or less permeable pavements.