Research

The Stormwater Testing Facility has completed a variety of research projects. This page highlights recently completed and ongoing projects.

• Check Dams
• Inlet Protection
• Sediment Basins
• Sediment Barriers
• Erosion Control
• UAV Based Inspections
• Flocculants
• Advanced Treatment Approach
• Outreach and Technology Transfer

Sediment Basins

Sediment basins are used to temporarily detain sediment - laden stormwater prior to leaving a construction site to facilitate sediment capture. Using lessons learned from construction site sediment basin studies, the stormwater lab operates two large - scale sediment basins that allow researchers to perform controlled tests to improve and evaluate the performance of various treatments and configurations employed within a sediment basin.

Large-Scale Performance Evaluation of Various Woven Silt Fence Installations under Nebraska Highway Conditions BG Roche, MA Perez, WN Donald, JB Whitman Water 16 (6), 877	2024
Efficacy of Undisturbed Vegetated Buffers in Capturing Suspended Sediment B Roche, MA Perez, WN Donald, JB Whitman Transportation Research Record 2677 (10), 180-190	2023
Improving the Design and Performance of Double-Row Sediment Barriers Used During Highway Construction JB Whitman Transportation Research Record, 1-12	2022
SILTspread: Performance-Based Approach for the Design and Installation of Silt Fence Sediment Barriers L Liu, MA Perez, JB Whitman, WN Donald, WC Zech Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 147 (10), 04021041	2021
Practical Silt Fence Design Enhancements for Effective Dewatering and Stability   JB Whitman, MA Perez, WC Zech, WN Donald Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 147 (1), 04020039	2021
Full-Scale Performance Evaluations of Innovative and Manufactured Sediment Barrier Practices JB Whitman, WC Zech, WN Donald Transportation Research Record 2673 (8), 284-297	2019
Improvements in Small-Scale Standardized Testing of Geotextiles used in Silt Fence Applications JB Whitman, WC Zech, WN Donald Geotextiles and Geomembranes 47 (5), 598-609	2019
Full-Scale Performance Evaluations of Various Wire-Backed Nonwoven Silt Fence Installation Configurations JB Whitman, WC Zech, WN Donald, JJ LaMondia Transportation Research Record 2672 (39), 68-78	2018
Performance Evaluations of Three Silt Fence Practices Using a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus RA Bugg, W Donald, W Zech, M Perez Water 9 (7), 502	2017
Improvements in Standardized Testing for Evaluating Sediment Barrier Performance: Design of a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus RA Bugg, WN Donald, WC Zech, MA Perez Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 143 (8), 04017029	2017
Field Evaluation of Silt Fence Tieback Systems at a Highway Construction Site WC Zech, JS McDonald, TP Clement Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction 14 (3), 105-112	2009
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Types of Silt Fence Installations to Control Sediment Discharge from Highway Construction Sites WC Zech, JL Halverson, TP Clement ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 13 (6), 497-504	2008
Intermediate-Scale Experiments to Evaluate Silt Fence Designs to Control Sediment Discharge from Highway Construction Sites WC Zech, JL Halverson, TP Clement Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 13 (6), 497-504	2008
Development of Silt Fence Tieback Design Methodology for Highway Construction Installations WC Zech, JL Halverson, TP Clement Transportation Research Record 2011 (1), 21-28	2007

Flocculants

Flocculants facilitate the process of coagulation and flocculation of very fine suspended soil particles (i.e., clay and silt) when the removal rate of suspended sediment needs to be increased beyond the ability of simple gravitational sedimentation. Our researchers are evaluating best practices for the passive application of flocculants on construction sites to enhance the performance of traditional erosion and sediment control practices.

• Manning, C., Perez, M.A., and Donald, W.N. (2022), Assessment of Polyacrylamide Concentration in Construction Stormwater Runoff using an ASTM D6459 Rainfall Simulator, Transportation Research Record. [DOI: 10.1177/03611981221111157].
• Kazaz, B., Perez, M.A., Donald, W.N., Fang, X., and Shaw, J.N. (2022). Detection of Residual Flocculant Concentrations in Construction Stormwater Runoff, Transportation Research Record. [ DOI: 10.1177/03611981221077985].
• Kazaz, B., Perez, M.A., and Donald, W.N. (2021). A State-of-the-Practice Review on the use of Flocculants for Construction Stormwater Management in the United States, Transportation Research Record. [DOI: 10.1177/0361198121995192].
• Shoemaker, A, Zech, W.C., and Clement, T.P. (2012). Laboratory-scale Evaluation of Anionic Polyacrylamide as an Erosion and Sediment Control Measure on Steep-Sloped Construction Sites, Transactions of the ASABE, 55(3): 809-820. [DOI: 10.13031/2013.41516].

 

Erosion Control

The stormwater lab has 13 rainfall simulators build on 3:1 and 4:1 slopes. The simulators are built on 40 ft x 8 ft plots consisting of clay, loam, and sand soils. Rainfall simulators are used to evaluate various erosion control practices that are used to protect slopes from rainfall - induced erosion.

• Manning, C., Faulkner, B., Donald, W.N., and Perez, M.A. (2023). Comparison of Erosion Control Products using an ASTM D6459 Rainfall Simulator: Insights and Suggestions, ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Eng. 149(8): 04023017. [DOI: 10.1061/JIDEDH.IRENG-9935].
• Kazaz, B., Schussler, J.C., Dickey, L.C., and Perez, M.A. (2022). Soil Loss Risk Analysis for Construction Activities, Transportation Research Record S-21-03673. [DOI: 10.1177/03611981221075027].
• Ricks, M.D., Horne, M.A., Faulkner, B., Zech, W.C., Fang, X., Donald, W.N., and Perez, M.A. (2019). Design of a Pressurized Rainfall Simulator for Evaluating Performance of Erosion Control Practices, Water 11(11), 2386. [DOI: 10.3390/w11112386].
• Sidhu, R.S., Dougherty, M., Zech, W.C., Guertal, B. (2015). Cost Effectiveness of Erosion Control Covers during Vegetation Establishment under Simulated Rainfall, J. of Water Resource and Protection, Scientific Research Publishing, 7, 119-129. [DOI:10.4236/jwarp.2015.72010].

 

Sediment Barriers

Sediment barriers are used to treat sheet flow runoff by removing sediment primarily through sedimentation and, to a lesser degree filtration. The stormwater lab has the capability of evaluating sediment barriers at full scale using a 20 ft wide test apparatus.

• Roche, B.G., Perez, M.A., Donald, W.N., and Whitman, J.B. (2024). Large-Scale Performance Evaluation of Various Woven Silt Fence Installations under Nebraska Highway Conditions, Water 16, 887 (2024). [DOI: 10.3390/w16060877].
• Liu, L., Perez, M.A., Whitman, J.B., Donald, W.N., and Zech, W.C. (2021). SILTspread: A Performance-Based Approach for the Design and Installation of Silt Fence Sediment Barriers, ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng. 147(1): 04021041. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001608].
• Whitman, J.B., Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., and Donald, W.N. (2021). Practical Silt Fence Design Enhancements for Effective Dewatering and Stability , ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 147(1): 04020039. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001521].
• Liu, L., Perez, M.A., Whitman, J.B., Donald, W.N., and Zech, W.C. (2021). SILTspread: A Performance-Based Approach for the Design and Installation of Silt Fence Sediment Barriers, ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 147, 10. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001608].
• Bugg, R.A., Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., and Perez, M.A. (2017). Performance Evaluations of Three Silt Fence Practices Using a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus, Water. [DOI: 10.3390/w9070502].
• Bugg, R.A., Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., and Perez, M.A (2017). Improvements in Standardized Testing for Evaluating Sediment Barrier Performance: Design of a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus, ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001194].
• Zech, W.C., McDonald, J., and Clement, T.P. (2009). Field Evaluation of Silt Fence Tieback Systems at a Highway Construction Site, ASCE Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction 14(3):105-112. [DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0680(2009)14:3(105)].
• Zech, W.C., Halverson, J.L., and Clement, T.P. (2008). Intermediate-scale Experiments to Evaluate Silt Fence Designs to Control Sediment Discharge from Highway Construction Sites, ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 13(6):497-504. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0699(2008)13:6(497)].
• Zech, W.C., Halverson, J.L., and Clement, T.P. (2007). Development of a Silt Fence Tieback Design Methodology for Highway Construction Installations. Transportation Research Record, No. 2011, pp. 21-28. [DOI: 10.3141/2011-03].

Inlet Protection

Storm drain inlet protection practices minimize sediment transport by temporarily impounding runoff before entering storm drain inlets, allowing suspended sediment to settle. The Stormwater Lab has two full - scale apparatuses to evaluate inlet protection practices for highway median applications and for curb and gutter applications. Evaluations have been performed to gain insight to the performance, durability, and maintenance needs of inlet protection practices. Evaluations included enhancement of installation methods for commonly employed practices. Test parameters were designed to mimic expected field conditions, allowing researchers to improve the installation of current practices and evaluate performance.

• Basham, D.L., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and Perez, M.A. (2019) Design and Construction of a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus for Evaluating the Performance of Catch Basin Inserts , ASCE J. of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, [DOI: 10.1061/JSWBAY.0000868].
• Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and Fang, X. (2016 ). Design Methodology for the Selection of Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Practices based on Regional Hydrological Conditions , ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001328].
• Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N. and Fang, X. (2016). Installation Enhancements to Common Inlet Protection Practices (IPPs) using Large-Scale Testing Techniques , Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2571, pp. 151-161. [DOI: 10.3141/2521-16].
• Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N. Donald, and Xing Fang. Methodology for Evaluating Inlet Protection Practices Using Large-Scale Testing Techniques . ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng., [DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001019].

Check Dams

Check dams are used throughout highway construction to facilitate ponding and reduce velocity within channels to minimize erosion. Proper installation is required for these practices to perform as intended. Research studies have been conducted to evaluat e the performance of various practices and to optimize installation methods to enhance performance.

• Clampitt, J.E., Perez, M.A., Whitman, J.B., Donald, W.N., LaMondia, J.J., and Craig, A.J. (2023). Hydraulic Evaluation of Wattle Encasement Materials, Transportation Research Record 2677(7). [DOI: 10.1177/03611981231152255].
• Whitman, J.W., Schussler, J.C., Perez, M.A., and Liu, L. (2021). Hydraulic Performance Evaluation of Wattles used for Erosion and Sediment Control, ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 147(7): 04021028. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943- 4774.0001586].
• Schussler, J.C., Kazaz, B., Perez, M.A., Cetin, B., and Whitman, J.B. (2021). Field Evaluation of Wattle and Silt Fence Ditch Checks, Transportation Research Record. [DOI: 10.1177/0361198121992073].
• Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., Fang, X., and Perez M.A. (2016). A Hydraulic Method to Evaluate the Performance of Ditch Check Practices and Products , ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001311].
• Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., Perez, M.A.andFang, X., (2015). Evaluation and Modification of Wire Backed, Nonwoven Filter Fabric Silt Fence for use as a Ditch Check , ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR. 1943-4774.0000959].
• Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., and Fang, X. (2014). Comparative Evaluation of Wattle Ditch Checks Composed of Differing Materials and Properties . ASCE J. of Irrig. and Drain. Eng., [DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000794].
• Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., Fang, X. and LaMondia, J.J. (2013). Evaluation of Wheat Straw Wattles for Velocity Reduction in Ditch Check Installations , Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2358, pp. 69-78. [DOI: 10.3141/2358-08].
• Clampitt, J.E., Perez, M.A., Whitman, J.B., Donald, W.N., LaMondia, J.J., and Craig, A.J., (2023). Hydraulic Evaluation of Wattle Encasement Materials", Transportation Research Record. [in press].

UAV Based Inspections

Unmanned aerial vehicles are remote sensing tools capable of acquiring high resolution spatial and sensing data that can assist in site inspections of stormwater practices on construction sites. Our researchers have performed studies on active construction sites using commercially available UAVs to assess applications and capabilities of enhancing the site inspection and construction monitoring proc esses.

• Whitman, J.B., Perez, M.A., and Sturgill, R. (2023), Exploring the Integration of Unmanned Aerial System Technologies into Stormwater Control Inspection Programs, Water 15, 3924. [DOI: 10.3390/w15223924].
• Kazaz, B., Poddar, S., Arabi, S., Perez, M.A., Sharma, A., and Whitman, J.B. (2021), Deep Learning-Based Object Detection for Unmanned Aerial Systems- Based Inspections of Construction Stormwater Practices, Sensors 21(8), 2834. [DOI: 10.3390/s21082834].
• Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., and Donald, W.N. (2015). Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to Conduct Site Inspections of Erosion and Sediment Control Practices and Track Project Progression, Transportation Research Record, No. 2528, pp. 38-48. [DOI: 10.3141/2528-05].

Advanced Treatment Approach

Our researchers have evaluated the use of advanced approaches, including lamella settlers and electrocoagulation, to enhance the performance of stormwater treatment technologies.

• Liu, L., and Perez, M.A. (2022). Development and Evaluation of Lamella Settlers combined with Electrocoagulation for Treating Suspended Sediment, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 148, 6 [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001680].
• Liu, L., Perez, M.A., and Whitman, J.B. (2020). Evaluation of Lamella Settlers for Treating Suspended Sediment , Water 12(10), 2705. [DOI: 10.3390/w12102705].

 

Outreach and Technology Transfer

• Schussler, J.C., Perez, M.A., Donald, W.N., Whitman, J.B., Zech, W.C., Fang, X., and Fagan, B.G. (2022).  A Decade of Research in Review: The Auburn University – Stormwater Research Facility , Transportation Research Record. 2676(5). [DOI: 10.1177/03611981221076449].
• Perez, M.A., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., Turochy, R.E., and Fagan, B.G. (2019). Transferring Innovative Erosion and Sediment Control Research Results into Industry Practice , Water 11(12), 2549, [DOI: 10.3390/w11122549].