BIM and stormwater management modeling for urban sustainability

In a recent article published in the journal Sustainabilityresearchers presented a new approach for integrating building information modeling (BIM) and the personal computer version of the stormwater management model (PCSWMM) for designing and assessing nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban areas. They illustrated their approach using a case study that linked an existing NbS development in Thailand with a theoretical new NbS build for an adjacent property.

Additionally, the study showed how BIM and PCSWMM could optimize the performance of NbS features such as green roofs, rain gardens, permeable paving and tree pits for sustainable stormwater management.

Background

BIM is a collaborative construction process that uses digital models to streamline the design, construction and management of buildings and infrastructure. It improves project efficiency, quality and environmental performance by centralizing information for all stakeholders. Although widely applied in architectural and engineering fields, its use in landscape architecture and NbS remains limited due to challenges such as data interoperability, standardization and multidisciplinary collaboration.

NbS is an emerging approach that uses nature to address societal challenges and deliver multiple benefits, including climate resilience, biodiversity, water quality and human well-being. It includes various types of green infrastructure, such as wetlands, urban forests, green roofs and rain gardens, improving the urban environment and mitigating the effects of climate change. NbS requires a holistic, integrative approach, taking into account the connectivity and functionality of natural systems across different scales and disciplines.

About the research

In this article, the authors developed an implementation and analytical framework to guide BIM and stormwater management modeling for NbS. They used PCSWMM, a dynamic hydrological/hydraulic and water quality model using the US EPA SWMM5.1 computer engine, with a graphical user interface for data management and analysis.

PCSWMM can explicitly model NbS features, such as rain gardens, green roofs, porous pavement, and tree pits, by integrating with geographic information systems (GIS) data and computer-aided design (CAD) data. The study also used Autodesk InfraWorks and Civil three-dimensional (3D), BIM software tools that facilitate the creation and visualization of 3D models of buildings and infrastructure, exchanging data with PCSWMM through the Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs)- standard.

The researchers applied the BIM and PCSWMM models in a case study in Bangkok, Thailand, where urban sprawl and climate change pose significant challenges to water management and environmental quality. The case study location was the PTT Metro Forest Park, an award-winning NbS development that transformed a former waste dump into an urban forest park with a natural waterscape.

The park features a storage/retention pond that collects and recirculates rainwater while creating a wildlife habitat. The study virtually placed a BIM school building on an empty plot adjacent to the park and simulated seven NbS scenarios with different combinations of green roofs, rain gardens, permeable paving and tree pits. These scenarios were evaluated under design storms with a return interval of 2 years, 5 years and 100 years, assessing the impact of the new NbS construction on the existing park pond.

Research results

The results showed that the combination of permeable paving, a rain garden, a retention pond and a green roof emerged as the most effective NbS scenario to reduce the runoff volume and peak flow from the new construction site while minimizing the impact on the park. pond. This scenario demonstrated a significant reduction in runoff volume of 68%, 64%, and 60% for the 2-year, 5-year, and 100-year storms, respectively, compared to the base case without NbS.

Additionally, it reduced peak flow by 77%, 75%, and 72%, respectively, for the same storms. Furthermore, this scenario improved water quality by reducing pollutant levels, including total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and total nitrogen, by 67%, 64%, and 60%, respectively, over the 100-year storm. The study also found that the existing park pond had sufficient storage capacity to prevent flooding in all scenarios and storms, highlighting the importance of connectivity between NbS functions for overall performance.

The innovative method facilitates collaboration and communication between different disciplines and stakeholders while providing a virtual representation and simulation of natural systems and processes. It supports the planning and assessment of NbS at different scales and contexts, evaluating multiple benefits and trade-offs.

Moreover, it can be extended to other types of NbS and green infrastructure, such as wetlands, urban forests and green walls, and integrated with other models and tools such as life cycle assessment, ecosystem services and digital twins.

Conclusion

In summary, the new approach effectively integrated BIM and stormwater management modeling for NbS. The study underlined the importance of considering the connectivity and functionality of natural systems and processes at different scales and disciplines. In the future, the approach can be extended and adapted for different types of NbS and green infrastructure, allowing integration with other models and instruments to support the adoption of NbS as a policy and practice for urban resilience and sustainability.

Journal reference

Petschek, P.; Aung, APP; Suwanarit, A.; Irvine, KN Integrating building information modeling and stormwater runoff modeling: improving design tools for nature-based solutions in sustainable landscapes. Sustainability 2024, 163694. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093694, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/9/3694.

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