This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The NERC GW4+ DTP involves the four research-intensive universities across the South West - Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter – and six Research Organisation partners. For further details about the programme please see www.bristol.ac.uk/gw4plusdtp.

Supervisors:

Professor Slobodan Djordjevic, University of Exeter

Dr Thomas Kjeldsen, University of Bath

Dr Albert Chen, University of Exeter

One of the main causes of flooding in cities is blockage of drainage elements (inlets and pipes) due to accumulation of leaves and other debris washed off from urban surfaces. This accumulation depends on rainfall and wind characteristics and on land use, whilst the potential for self-cleansing depends on inlet and pipe parameters and local flow characteristics.

The aim of this project will be to establish correlation between rainfall variability (seasonal and during an event) and the likelihood of blockage formation. This will then be used to quantify potential increases in flood impacts due to inlet/pipe blockages for different scenarios of rainfall and system maintenance. The objective is to develop a methodology that will result in both theoretical and practical conclusions.

Methodology

•  For two case study areas, generate synthetic storms and identify real rainfall data as well as plausible wind data, which will be drivers of leaf/debris accumulation and consequent flooding.

•  Define empirical relationships for leaf/debris generation based on weather characteristics, preceding dry periods and the land use including type and density of vegetation. These will be based on real data from a UK water company.

•  Simulate surface runoff and flooding for a wide range of scenarios and conditions, utilizing a coupled 1D/2D (pipe network/urban surface) model that can take spatially and temporally variable rainfall as a driver and a preceding dry period as a catchment parameter. Simulations will include both event-based modelling and long-term series and various system maintenance scenarios (collections of leaves and other street debris, cleaning of gullies, pipe flushing).

•  Consider extrapolating the methodology for weather and catchment conditions beyond those that will be studied in the case studies within this project.

•  Draw conclusions about the nature of studied processes and the potential for damage reduction.  

Eligibility:

For eligible students the award will cover UK/EU tuition fees and an annual stipend (in 2014/15 this was £13,863 for full-time students, pro rata for part-time students) for three and a half years.

Citizens of a EU member state will be eligible for a fees-only award

* Please note, there are up to nine University-funded studentships available as part of the GW4+ DTP that will provide the funds for tuition fees and stipend for EU nationals *