Assessing the Effects of Bioretention’s Engineered Media Composition and Compaction on Hydraulic Conductivity and Water Holding Capacity

Abstract

Bioretention devices are often recognized as stormwater control measures (SCMs) that satisfy green infrastructure or low-impact development (LID) objectives. The hydraulic characteristics of filter media underpin effective bioretention performance. Successful design criteria compiled from international design guidelines were used to create a range of engineered media subjected to two compaction methods and various configurations of media compositions and ponding depth. Experimental treatments of particle size distribution (PSD), organic content and composition, and aggregate content and source were combined to quantify their effects on media saturated hydraulic conductivity