Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
The University of the West Indies
CVNG 3016—Design of Environmental Systems
Semester I, Year 2017/2018
Coursework Assignment 1: Assessment of Site Suitability for a Detention Basin
Every year UWI, St. Augustine, is affected by flooding during the wet season that causes
disruption to classes and flow of traffic and threatens laboratory equipment. The
administration has had meetings with the authority and wishes to suggest possible
suitable locations for detention basins for consideration for flood reduction.
You have been asked by the university to perform a preliminary assessment of one such
site, which is located at Gordon Street and Scott Street.
For the assessment you will be provided with the following:
1. Transportation for a reconnaissance visit to the site on Tuesday 12th September,
2017;
2. A report on a major flooding event on Campus to obtain the description of the
Santa Margarita Catchment;
3. Relevant peak flow estimates, including:
a. the allowable flow at the Blackman Ravine Bridge on Agostini Street;
b. the peak flow of the eastern tributary of the Santa Margarita Catchment at
the confluence with the western tributary of the catchment;
c. the input hydrograph at various return periods at the potential site.
4. Engineering drawings, including the site, with a plan, cross-sections and
longitudinal profiles, from a recent site survey.
Perform an assessment of the site, which must include the following:
1. The site’s technical feasibility;
2. Any environmental concerns;
3. Health and safety issues; and
4. Economic concerns.
5. Hand-drawn sketches
Make your recommendation to UWI about the suitability of the site.
The report is not to exceed four (4) pages, including the sketches.
Collaboration with your classmates is permitted and you may consult any appropriate
literature material. The report is to be prepared and submitted individually.
This project is worth 10% of the course mark and is due on Friday 22nd September, 2017,
at 11:00 am.
Vincent Cooper
Semester I, 2017/2018
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
The University of the West Indies
CVNG 3016—Design of Environmental Systems
Semester I, Year 2017/2018
4-hour Inflow hydrographs on
the Blackman Ravine, at the
Gordon Street crossing, at the
25 year and the 50 year return
period
25 year
50 year
Time
(min)
Flow
(m3/s)
Flow
(m3/s)
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
135
150
165
180
195
210
225
240
0
0
0
1.95
4.49
3.67
1.65
0.66
0.26
0.11
0.04
0.01
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.92
6.4
4.95
2.21
0.88
0.35
0.14
0.06
0.01
0
0
0
0
0
Allowable peak flow at Agostini Road Bridge is 5.8 m3/s
Peak flow within the eastern catchment: 3.1 m3/s for the 25 year return period
Vincent Cooper
Semester I, 2017/2018
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
The University of the West Indies
CVNG 3016—Design of Environmental Systems
Semester I, Year 2017/2018
The site at the corner of Gordon Street and Mohammed Street
Vincent Cooper
Semester I, 2017/2018