Hydraulic Method to Evaluate the Performance of Ditch Check Practices and Products: Fid-Bau Portal

Hydraulic Method to Evaluate the Performance of Ditch Check Practices and Products

Donald, W. N. / Zech, W. C. / Fang, X. / Perez, M. A.

Erosion and sediment control products have become an integral part of the construction industry as manufacturers now provide innovative alternatives to traditional practices. Ditch checks are used on construction sites to intercept channelized stormwater runoff to reduce flow velocity, minimize channel erosion, and promote sedimentation. A standardized metric is needed to evaluate the performance of various ditch check practices. Comparative analyses are difficult in the field and in large-scale testing environments because conditions can vary greatly. A hydraulic-based metric to evaluate performance was developed by researchers at the Auburn University-Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility (AU-ESCTF). This metric is based on hydraulic conditions created by a ditch check to slow flow velocity and transform kinetic energy to potential energy. Using the ratio of water depth ( $y$ ) to specific energy ( $E$ ), the average performance can be quantified and compared with counterparts and traditional practices, even if data were developed under different flow conditions or channel geometries. While using the $y / E$ ratio to determine kinetic energy reduction, a nonsubjective performance threshold of $y / E = 0.75$ emerged.