RESEARCH
Research at Construction Stormwater Studio focuses on developing and improving technologies to treat stormwater pollutants for both construction and post-construction runoff. Below is a sampling of recent research projects. ​
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We're always interested in recruiting motivated researchers. Interested graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers should reach out to Dr. Perez directly for more information on open opportunities.
E&SC DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS
This project aims to monitor current erosion and sediment control practices being used on roadway construction projects. Through field monitoring and and laboratory evaluations, the research team will develop improved practices and design guidance to enhance the current state-of-practice. Research projects sponsored by the Iowa DOT and Nebraska DOT.
SATURATED BUFFER DESIGN IMPROVEMENT
Saturated buffers are an emerging conservation practice that can help reduce nutrient export by treating agricultural runoff in subsurface drainage systems, promoting denitrification and nitrogen uptake by plants. This project aims at improving design guidance to increase implementation across Iowa while decreasing installation costs. Research sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service.
GROUNDWATER MONITORING
Groundwater level impacts are being monitored at the U.S. 63 overpass construction site in Waterloo, IA. The existing underpass is being reconstructed as an overpass. Impacts to neighboring properties due to a low groundwater table are being actively controlled through groundwater pumping. This project employs the use of pressure transducers to log groundwater level over the course of the construction activities. Research is sponsored by the Iowa DOT.
CONCRETE GRINDING RESIDUE
Diamond grinding is a widely used rehabilitation technique used to resurface concrete road surfaces with enhanced texture, improving skid resistance and reducing road noise. The majority of current maintenance practices involve spreading of fresh concrete grinding residue on roadsides, resulting in potential environmental concerns. This study investigates concrete grinding residue recycling opportunities for applications in soil stabilization and erosion mitigation through unconfined compressive strength (UCS), surface runoff tests, Atterberg limits, alkalinity, electro-conductivity, pH, and leaching tests. Research is sponsored by the Iowa DOT Highway Research Board and Recycled Materials Resource Center.
POTASSIUM ACETATE FIELD EVALUATION
This research seeks to determine the environmental impact of potassium acetate (KAc) as a deicer by assessing KAc’s persistence in soil and water, effects on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved (DO), and toxicity to flora and fauna. This goal will be addressed with field measurements, laboratory experiments, and modeling. Field sites investigate a range of conditions, such as bridges, tunnels, and rural areas, and sampling will characterize KAc concentrations in soil and water, as well as measure DO, BOD, pH, and other water quality parameters. To predict the spatial and temporal extent of KAc’s environmental effects, a model of the fate and transport of KAc in runoff to streams and lakes will be constructed and evaluated with data from the lab and field. Research is sponsored by the Minnesota DOT.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are an emerging technology that have the capability in increasing efficiency in construction site inspections of erosion and sediment controls and in providing construction progression and documentation. Current research efforts are exploiting the resources available in applying UAV acquired aerial photography with photogrammetry technology to produce high resolution digital elevation models and predictive geospatial information systems tools.
SEDIMENT BASIN PERFORMANCE
Dr. Perez's doctoral research focused on using large-scale testing techniques to evaluate new technologies in sediment basins. Sediment basins are commonly used on active construction projects to detain stormwater runoff and provide a controlled offsite discharge after allowing sediment to settle out of suspension. The research goal was to provide more efficient and effective tools to improve the quality of construction generated stormwater discharges, while decreasing the footprint and costs of current practices. Research performed at the AU-ESCTF, funded by ALDOT and AU-HRC.
HYDROLOGIC DESIGN OF E&SC PRACTICES
Designers typically rely on “rules of thumb” for the design and selection of ESC practices. To provide a hydrologically sound approach, this research developed a quick and direct sizing method based on TR–55 methodology. GIS analyses were used to develop and analyze regional hydrological characteristics. Multiple linear regressions were performed on simulated data to develop equations to calculate expected total storm volume, peak flow rate, and average flows for 30-, 60-, and 90-min peak volumes based on regional hydrollogic data. Designers can implement these relationships as aids in designing appropriate runoff control practices when developing SWPPPs.
STORMDRAIN INLET PROTECTION
Dr. Perez's master’s research focused on using large-scale testing techniques to evaluate inlet protection practices commonly used on construction sites. Inlet protection practices are one of the most common stormwater pollution prevention plan measures used to help prevent sediment from discharging into receiving waterways. Through this Alabama Department of Transportation funded research project, structural improvements and performance evaluations were provided to commonly used inlet protection practices, providing the industry with enhanced tools to minimize the environmental impact of construction generated non-point source pollution.
ARCH PIPE HYDRAULICS
Arch and elliptical shaped pipes are commonly used as roadway culverts. The pipe section is composed of three radii, which result in complex equations to compute cross-sectional geometry and hydraulic parameters. Geometic formulas were developed to create a direct calculation and analysis tool of hydraulic properties and geometry for any given arch pipe section. Worksheets developed are capable of calculating normal and critical depths for given flow rates, geometric properties, and water surface profiles using the direct step method.
SEDspread: SEDIMENT BASIN DESIGN TOOL
SEDspread is a user-friendly spreadsheet-based design tool for designers to appropriately size sediment basin parameters including: basin capacity and configuration, surface skimmer size and dewatering rate, auxiliary spillway design, and baffle configuration. The workbook includes a summary sheet that provides users with schematics of the designed basin, available as a supplement to facilitate effective communication between designers and contractors for constructing/installing the basin. SEDspread includes geospatially derived and referenced data that allows for automated selection of design hydrologic and soil conditions through the input of a project location’s ZIP code.
REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
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15. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., Turochy, R.E., Karabulut-Ilgu, and Fagan, B.G. (2019). Transferring Innovative Erosion and Sediment Control Research Results into Industry Practice, ASABE Applied Engineering in Agriculture, [under review].
14. Whitman, J.W., Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and McLaughlin, R.A. (2019). Silt Fence State-of-the-Practice: A Review of Design, Installation, Inspection, and Maintenance Standards, ASCE Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, [under review].
13. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Vasconcelos, J.G., and Fang X. (2019). Large-Scale Performance Testing of Temporary Sediment Basin Treatments and High-Rate Lamella Settlers, Water,11, 316.
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12. Basham, D.L., Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and Michael A. Perez. (2019). Design and Construction of a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus for Evaluating the Performance of Catch Basin Inserts, ASCE J. of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, Volume 5, Issue 1, pp. 1-9, [DOI: 10.1061/JSWBAY.0000868].
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11. Bugg, R.A., Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., and Michael A. Perez. (2017). Performance Evaluations of Three Silt Fence Practices Using a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus, Water,
[DOI: 10.3390/w9070502].
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10. Bugg, R.A., Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., and Michael A. Perez. (2017). Improvements in Standardized Testing for Evaluating Sediment Barrier Performance: Design of a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus, ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng., [10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001194].
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9. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and Fang, X. (2016). SEDspread: A Sediment Basin Design Tool for Construction Sites, ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001099].
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8. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Fang, X, and Vasconcelos, J. (2016). Methodology and Development of a Large-Scale Sediment Basin for Performance Testing, ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001052].
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7. Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., Fang, X., and Michael A. Perez. (2016). A Hydraulic Method to Evaluate the Performance of Ditch Check Practices and Products, ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001052].
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6. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N. and Fang, X. (2016). Installation Enhancements to Common Inlet Protection Practices (IPPs) using Large-Scale Testing Techniques, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2571, pp. 151-161. [DOI: 10.3141/2521-16].
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5. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N., and Fang, X. (2016). Design Methodology for the Selection of Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Practices based on Regional Hydrological Conditions, ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001328].
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4. Donald, W.N., Zech, W.C., Michael A. Perez, and Fang, X., (2015). Evaluation and Modification of Wire Backed, Nonwoven Filter Fabric Silt Fence for use as a Ditch Check, ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng., [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR. 1943-4774.0000959].
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3. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., and Donald, W.N. (2015). Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to Conduct Site Inspections of Erosion and Sediment Control Practices and Track Project Progression, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2528, pp. 38-48. [DOI: 10.3141/2528-05].
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2. Michael A. Perez, Butler, C.G., and Fang, X. (2015). Compute Critical and Normal Depths of Arch and Elliptical Pipes. ASCE J. of Irrigation and Drainage Eng. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000884]
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1. Michael A. Perez, Zech, W.C., Donald, W.N. and Fang, X. (2014). Methodology Development for Evaluating Inlet Protection Practices (IPPs) Using Large-Scale Testing Techniques, ASCE J. of Hydrologic Eng. [DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001019]