Application of SWMM 5.1 in flood simulation of sponge airport facilities

Abstract

Abstract Construction of an airport runway makes the impervious area of the airport high, which leads to the deterioration of the water environment and frequent waterlogging disasters. The selection of sponge airport facilities (e.g., pump, multi-functional storage tanks, green roof) to mitigate airport flooding has been a crucial issue in China. This study aims to develop a conceptual rainwater-runoff simulation model, which can take into account the effects of such facilities of a sponge airport. Taking catchment N1 of Beijing Daxing Airport as a case study, SWMM 5.1 was implemented to develop three sponge airport models (one pump, two pumps, combination of pump and multi-functional storage tanks). A sensitivity analysis was carried out to guarantee the robustness of the developed models. A 1-hour rainfall scenario with a 5-year return period was employed on the three sponge airport models. The results showed that the effect rankings of the control strategies on the water depth, volume and peak inflow of catchment N1 were comparable – combined strategies (combination of pump and multi-functional storage tanks) > one pump and two pumps. The conceptual and hydrological models developed in this study can serve as a simulation tool for implementing a real-time rainwater drainage control system in Beijing Daxing Airport.