- Title
- Fluvial dynamics of gutter debris systems in rainwater harvesting
- Creator
- Allison, J.; Kuczera, G.
- Relation
- Rainwater and Urban Design Conference 2007. Rainwater and Urban Design Conference 2007 (Sydney 21-23 August, 2007) p. 1-8
- Relation
- http://www.rainwater2007.com
- Publisher
- Rainwater 2007
- Resource Type
- conference paper
- Date
- 2007
- Description
- A gutter design that optimises self flushing potential is crucial in rain water harvesting at the dwelling scale. Excluding and removing organic debris from a gutter is essential for the maintenance of water quality in water harvesting systems. There are existing debris exclusion products; however the function, performance and suitability of these products is not well understood and application is limited as they require ongoing maintenance. The aim of this study was to determine the water harvesting gutter configuration that minimises the maintenance needs and optimises self flushing. Investigation into the conditions and processes that influence the performance of guarded and un-guarded roofs found that the failure mechanisms of gutter guard products was due to the entrapment of debris (above the guard) and infiltration of decomposed debris. A series of experiments was undertaken to test a set of three hypotheses, regarding the most efficient shape and slope and obstruction threshold . The results support the notion that the semi-circular gutter is the most efficient cross sectional shape for a gutter. Increasing the slope of a gutter increased the bed-load (sediment) transport facility of a gutter, but had a negative effect on the removal of buoyant debris from the gutter. The combination of gutter guard products with accessibility to the 'head' of the gutter and the semi-circular high slope design conditions is likely to provide an effective self flushing and low maintenance gutter.
- Subject
- gutter debris; fluvial dynamics; rainwater harvesting
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/35494
- Identifier
- uon:3977
- Identifier
- ISBN:1877040614
- Language
- eng
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