Week Nine

This week we finalized all of our designs. A main alteration to our design was the removal of the porous concrete pathway that was to replace the currently existing mulch walkway. We decided that the current mulch path does a sufficient job at absorbing storm water, and that paving it would only provide convenience. Also, it was not connected directly to the planter and trench system on Lancaster Walk. The dimensions for the drainage chute connecting the bottom planter to the sewer were completed in our models. The top planter's final dimensions and characteristics were reflected in our most recent images. All of our AutoCAD drawings were revised and completed, including a new drawing of the top view without the satellite image background. Additionally, the Google Sketch-up conceptual rendering was revised and completed with sufficient detail to demonstrate what the final design would look like.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to list the materials and their costs, and then to calculate a rough estimate of the materials budget for the project.  Research from an RS Means Cost Book and Internet resources were conducted to determine the unit cost of each material.  Then, appropriate measurements and calculations were done to determine the amount and cost of each material required for the project.


Haiku of the Week
Truth lies in details
Budgeting is important
3D models too

Google Sketch-up rendering of the Lancaster walk redesign. From bottom of hill.

AutoCAD cross section of the drainage system that from the bottom planter to the sewer

The birds-eye view entire system without dimensions

The birds-eye view entire system with dimensions

Week Eight

This week, we completed the proposed final designs. We currently have 3 AutoCAD drawings, a Google Sketch-Up 3D rendering, and a hand drawn illustrations of the project. We finalized all the elements and dimensions of the design. We revised the aerial view AutoCad drawing and added dimensions. There was a pipe in our design that traveled from the bottom trench to a sewer grate to handle overflow water that the soil couldn't absorb. We decided to change that pipe to another grate and we are making an AutoCAD drawing detailing this. On top of these feats, we revised the Google Sketch-Up drawing so that the wall surrounding the rain garden is at ground level with the sidewalk, and also reflects the plan to be 8 inches above the soil in it.

Next week, in addition to the final design report, we will decide on the exact materials being used and create a rough budget for the project.


Haiku of the Week:
Dimensions, details
More drawings than expected
Coming Together

Week Seven

This week, we finished the drafts of two AutoCAD cross section drawings: the parallel side view of the sidewalk and trench, and the perpendicular side view of the sidewalk and trench.  The parallel side view cross section drawing shows a section of the trench as seen facing the side of the sidewalk and showing its contents.  The perpendicular cross section drawing shows the contents and dimensions of the trench, sidewalk, drainage grate, and drainage chute as seen facing the front of the sidewalk.  In addition, a colored hand rendering of the proposed design was completed to illustrate how the location would appear after the implementation of the design.

Haiku of the week
AutoCAD Drawings
Sidewalk and trench cross sections
They look super, Kim

Aerial View

Perpendicular Cross Section View

Parallel Cross Section View

Week Six

In week 6, we completed the rough draft of the AutoCAD drawing for the top view of the proposed infrastructure redesign.  We began this AutoCAD drawing by importing a satellite image of the proposed project site, and scaled it to 1:10.  The drawing consists of layers on top of this image to illustrate the different levels of our design.  The draft shows the different elements of the design in sufficient detail to represent the blueprint of the project.

AutoCAD drawing.
Porous Concrete
Trench/Planter
Grates
Pipe to sewer

Week Five

In week 5 we conducted research regarding stormwater management using the databases available through Drexel University's library website.  In addition, we scaled the project area using Google Earth to acquire the elevation change and length of the major project site.  Sketching on top of a satellite picture of the site, we developed design plans for the chosen location. As the designs are refined, they will be scaled to real life proportions, including detailed design components.


Site of Project



Rough Design Representation
Key:
--------  Planters & Trenches
--------   Underground Pipes --------         Sidewalk Drains--------       Porous  Concrete 



Week Four

This weekend when it rained, members of the group noted locations on campus where excess flooding occurred, and took notes and pictures of those sites which were considered candidates for the project.  Later in the week, we convened to inspect and evaluate those sites, as well as others along the way on campus that seemed worthy for our project.  At each location, we discussed and determined what our new infrastructure would look like, how it would connect to and impact existing infrastructure, and how effective it would be in the prevention of flooding and absorption of storm water.

Together we determined that Lancaster Walk, from the exit of the Daskalaskis Athletic Center to where it connects the 33rd Street sidewalk, was the best option because of the topography, the surrounding ground surfaces, and the pedestrian traffic in the area.

A wide view of our desired site

A closer view at the end of the site

A close-up view of a planter location at the end of the site

An example of storm water flooding along the sidewalk

Week Three

In the continuance of our project, we have now outlined our project goals for the coming eight weeks. The project schedule along with other background and supporting descriptions are now included within the “Project Overview” page. There we have defined the problem to be solved, recognized various design constraints, listed pre-existing solutions, assigned our goals, proposed project deliverables, and grasped budget components. A references page has been setup to allow for easy access to all our sources.  At this time, team members have performed a reasonable amount of research on the storm water management topic and have begun to conceptualize realizable solutions.

Week One/Two

This week we set up our blog and created a page with our team members' biographies.  We also began brainstorming specific solutions and sites for our project, as well as performing background research in order to prepare ourselves for the redesign and implementation of stormwater infrastructure.  We determined what the project's responsibilities would entail and distributed those responsibilities among the team members.