Highway Stormwater Pump Station Design

Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

This 15 hour course, Highway Stormwater Pump Station Design will cover the various stages of stormwater pump design including pump location, size, power requirements, and maintenance. Several example problems will be studied aid the student in solving problems that may present themselves to the designer.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

• When stormwater pump stations are necessary;
• The types of power sources that can be used for pump stations;
• The primary types of pumps;
• How excessive pump cycling is caused;
• The causes of pump overheating;
• The typical impeller types for pumps;
• Characteristics of pump performance;
• The primary cause of cavitation;
• The preferred utilities for pump stations;
• Automation of pumps;
• Mitigation and avoidance methods for various problems stemming from pump use;
• They types of pumps used as submersibles;
• The advantages and disadvantages of radial flow pumps;
• Types of pumps used for low-head pumping;
• The advantages and disadvantages of submersible pumps;
• Maintenance requirements for vertical shaft pumps;
• The capacity of small submersible pumps;
• When dry pit stations are preferred;
• The maximum clear-space between trash rack bars;
• How to determine the efficiency of pumps;
• The hydraulic objectives for pump system design;
• The advantages of using rectangular pump pits;
• The various stages of pump station design;
• The primary objective of schematic development;
• The various appurtenances in a typical stormwater collection system;
• The basic maintenance requirements of pump stations;
• The primary means of minimizing the drainage area for pump stations;
• How hydrographs are used in pump design;
• The advantages of using LPG or natural gas with engine-driven pumps;
• The recommended design frequency for a highway stormwater pump station;
• When to use shorter storms when designing pump stations;
• Where to set the allowable high water in the sump;
• The standard check flood for performing hydrology for a pump station;
• The advantages of nuisance pumps;
• How to determine the most effective start sequence for pumps;
• The most effective pump configurations;
• How to determine the most economical discharge pipe size;
• The preferred minimum number of pumps to use in a pump station;
• The various outfalls for pump station discharge;
• How to control reverse flow;
• How to determine friction loss through various pipe connections;
• The various loss coefficient for pipe shapes;
• The causes and effects of cavitation;
• How to determine vapor pressure;
• How to determine the net positive suction head available (NPSHA);
• How to define submergence;
• How to determine the suction specific speed (Nss);
• Various pump characteristics;
• How to determine the design point for a pump;
• The recommended intake velocity of pumps;
• How to determine the water power of a pump;
• How to define pump brake power;
• How to determine pump efficiency;
• How to determine the pump bay velocity;
• How to determine the recommended inside diameter of pump stations;
• The materials used to construct pump stations;
• Common power sources for stormwater pump stations;
• The advantages of using underground electric for pump stations;
• The causes and effects of a liquid vortex; and
• How to determine the total dynamic head (TDH).

Intended Audience and Benefit

This course is intended for highway engineers, hydraulic engineers, hydrologists, environmental engineers, municipal engineers, project managers, and any persons working in civil engineering field or anyone with an interest in highway stormwater pump station design.

Course Introduction

There are several stages of highway design all of which involves careful engineering that helps to facilitate the safety of vehicular traffic. Highway drainage can become a problem when the surrounding terrain is relatively flat.  Highway stormwater pump stations can be used to carry water from the roadway where gravity drainage is impossible or unfeasible. The cost to implement stormwater pump stations may be substantial however it may be necessary to ensure the safe movement of traffic during storm events. Alternatives to stormwater pumping stations include siphons, recharge basins, deep and long storm drain systems and tunnels.

Course Content

This course highway stormwater pump station design will cover the various stages of stormwater pump design including pump location, size, power requirements, and maintenance. Several example problems will be studied to aid the student in solving problems that may present themselves to the designer.

Highway Stormwater Pump Station Design

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Course Summary

The information presented in this course will provide the reader with the knowledge that is essential to designing highway stormwater pump stations.
 
Using good engineering judgment is always paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course will aid the reader with the knowledge to be a success in highway pump station design.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.dot.gov/new/index.htm

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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