Methodology to Estimate the Hydraulic Efficiency of

Nontested Continuous Transverse Grates

Beniamino Russo, Ph.D. 1; Manuel Gómez, Ph.D. 2; and Jackson Tellez 3

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to improve and complete the results presented in a previous work published on this journal about an
experimental campaign focused on the hydraulic efficiency of continuous transverse grates for draining paved areas. This type of surface
drainage structure is commonly used in urban or impervious areas (public squares, airport pavements, parks, and pedestrian areas), where
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conventional inlets are not recommended because they are rendered ineffective by the lack of a well-defined channelized flow path and
gradients capable of directing flows toward the collecting hydraulic structures. In this paper, a methodology is presented to estimate
the hydraulic efficiency of nontested continuous transverse grates. Empirical expressions are proposed to relate grate hydraulic performance
to flow parameters and grate geometry without the need for laboratory tests. Moreover, the spectrum of the grates was extended in terms
of dimensions and hydraulic design with respect to the first study, to enlarge the range of validity of the proposed empirical expressions.
DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000625. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
CE Database subject headings: Experimentation; Drainage; Hydraulic structures; Inlets (waterway); Pavements; Urban areas.
Author keywords: Experimentation; Drainage; Hydraulic structures; Inlets; Waterways; Pavement design; Urban areas.

Introduction efficient. The experimental campaign was conducted by using a

The correct and rigorous design of surface drainage systems is es-
sential to reduce risks and damages during heavy storm events in
urban areas. Inadequate surface drainage can produce excess runoff
in urban streets with serious problems for vehicular and pedestrian
traffic. Adequate knowledge of the hydraulic behaviour of surface
drainage structures requires the consideration of hydrological con-
ditions and rainfall patterns, the hydraulics of the surface flow, the
hydraulic grated inlet capacity, and the hazard criteria related to
urban runoff in case of storms. All of these factors affect the design
of a surface drainage system.
The hydraulic behavior of grated inlets placed in street gutters
has been extensively studied (Burgi and Gober 1977; ASCE 1992;
Brown et al. 2009; Spaliviero and May 1998; Gómez and Russo
2011), although few studies are available regarding the hydraulic
efficiency of continuous transverse grates (Burgi 1978; Gómez and
Russo 2009).
In 1978, Burgi presented the results of hydraulic tests conducted
on three inlet designs identified as bicycle safe and hydraulically
1
Full Professor, Civil Engineer, Group of Hydraulic and Environmental
Engineering, Technical College of La Almunia (Univ. of Zaragoza),
Mayor St., La Almunia de Doña Godina 50100, Zaragoza, Spain
(corresponding author). E-mail: brusso@unizar.es
2
Full Professor, Civil Engineer, Research Group FLUMEN, Hydraulic,
Maritime and Environmental Engineering Dept., Technical Univ. of
Catalonia (DEHMA-UPC), 1-3 Jordi Girona St., Barcelona, 08034 Spain.
E-mail: manuel.gomez@upc.edu
3
Civil Engineer, Master in Water Resources, Hydraulic, Maritime
and Environmental Engineering Dept., Technical Univ. of Catalonia
(DEHMA-UPC), 1-3 Jordi Girona St., Barcelona, 08034 Spain. E-mail:
jackson_tellez@hotmail.com
Note. This manuscript was submitted on October 31, 2012; approved on
April 15, 2013; published online on April 16, 2013. Discussion period open
until March 1, 2014; separate discussions must be submitted for individual
papers. This paper is part of the Journal of Irrigation and Drainage En-
gineering, Vol. 139, No. 10, October 1, 2013. © ASCE, ISSN 0733-9437/
2013/10-864-871/$25.00.
full-scale facility with a platform simulating a traffic lane, where
grated inlets were placed and tested. Inlets were selected based
on the results of a previous study (Burgi and Gober 1977) involving
11 grates. The purpose of these additional tests was to broaden the
available design data for grated inlet widths other than the 0.61 m
width used in the first campaign. Tests reached the grate inlet width
of 0.91 m, although in no case was the entire width of the platform
covered.
Use of these grates is common in many urban or paved areas
(squares, airport pavements, parks, and pedestrian areas) where iso-
lated inlets turn out to be ineffective in directing all runoff into the
sewer system during a storm event (Fig. 1).
Continuous transverse grates of various widths were tested in
the laboratory of hydraulic engineering of the Technical University
of Catalonia, BarcelonaTech (UPC) for different approaching flows
and a large set of longitudinal slopes to evaluate their efficiency.
Experimental data allowed a hydraulic characterization of the tested
structures, and empirical equations were obtained to relate the hy-
draulic efficiency of these structures to relevant flow parameters,
such as the Froude number and the flow depth. These results, cor-
responding to a first phase of this experimental campaign, were
published in this journal (Gómez and Russo 2009).
During the last phase of the experimental campaign, a wider
spectrum of continuous transverse grates was analyzed, obtaining
a significant amount of empirical data. Data processing allowed the
authors to obtain empirical relationships that link grate hydraulic
performance to flow parameters and grate geometry. It is finally
possible to estimate the hydraulic efficiency of continuous trans-
verse grates without the need for laboratory tests on various sizes.
Furthermore, the spectrum of the analyzed grates was extended in
terms of dimensions and hydraulic design with respect to the first
study, to enlarge the range of validity of the proposed empirical
expressions.
As demonstrated by recent papers (Aronica and Lanza 2005;
Gómez et al. 2009, 2011), the procedure proposed in this paper
may be extremely useful for designing surface drainage systems

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J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.

 Fig. 1. Typical applications for continuous transverse grates

and controlling urban runoff in paved areas according to maximum Previous Experimental Campaigns
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flow parameters (generally water depth and velocity) fixed by the

public or private administrations that manage these areas.
Hydraulic Efficiency of Surface Drainage Structures
In cases of unsurcharged sewer systems, the hydraulic efficiency of
a grated inlet placed in street gutters, can be defined as the follow-
ing ratio:
Qint
E¼
Q side were recently published (Gómez and Russo 2011). As men-
where E = efficiency of the inlet; Qint = discharge intercepted by the
inlet; Q = total discharge approaching the inlet. Considering uni-
form flow conditions as a first assumption, E depends on several
parameters, such as approaching flow (Q), type of grate, longitu-
dinal slope of the gutter (I y ), transversal slope of the paved area
(I x ), pavement roughness (n), gutter geometry, and clogging factor.
In recent studies, some empirical equations were derived relating
the efficiency (E) of grated inlets placed in street gutters to the flow
depth (y) [Neenah Foundry Company (NFCO) 1998] and the ratio
(Q=y) (Spaliviero and May 1998; Gómez and Russo 2011).
The hydraulic efficiency of a continuous transverse grate can be
expressed in terms of unit E (efficiency per meter of grate) to facili-
tate the use of the results for engineers and foundries that might
need this type of information. Therefore, Eq. (1) can be replaced
with the following expression:
qint
E¼
q
where q = flow rate per unit width flowing on the street (L=s=m);
and qint = intercepted flow rate per unit width intercepted by the
grate (L=s=m).
In 1997, the Flumen Research Group of the UPC promoted a new
research line in the field of the hydraulic efficiency of surface drain-
age structures. Various experimental campaigns were conducted
and several types of grates (conventional grated inlets, macrogrates,
and continuous transversal grates) were tested in the hydraulic lab-
oratory of the UPC by using a platform in real scale that can sim-
ulate the behavior of a road lane and a surface drainage structure
under flooding conditions.
Results concerning a specific methodology to estimate the
hydraulic performance of grated inlets located in a gutter at the road
ð1Þ
tioned earlier, very few studies have been conducted on the
hydraulic efficiency of continuous transverse grates, despite the
importance and the general use of this type of surface drainage
structure. The use of continuous transverse grate is especially
needed for sloping roadways, where the transverse profile does
not allow the flow to be directed to the side of the road and where
the provision of isolated grates is ineffective. To fill this gap, five
types of this hydraulic structure were tested in a campaign in the
laboratory of the hydraulic department of the UPC by using the
previously mentioned platform. Experimental data allowed a hy-
draulic characterization of the tested structures and empirical rela-
tionships were proposed to relate the hydraulic efficiency of these
structures to relevant flow parameters, such as the Froude number
and the flow depth (Gómez and Russo 2009).
Last Phase of the Experimental Campaign: Test
ð2Þ Facilities and Experimental Protocol
During the last phase of the experimental campaign on continuous
transverse grates, the range of tested elements was extended to
seven grates with different dimensions and geometric characteris-
tics (Table 1, Fig. 2).

Table 1. Geometric Data for the Transverse Grates

Type of Effective Number of Number of Number of
transverse Width Length length, L Total area Void area longitudinal bars transverse bars diagonal bars
grate (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm2 ) (cm2 ) (nl ) (nt ) (nd )
1 100 30.2 25.0 3,020 1,112.4 34 1 0
2 100 19.5 15.0 1,950 751.9 36 0 0
3 100 12.4 10.4 1,240 397.4 34 0 0
4 100 12.4 12.0 1,240 582.4 1 3 59
5 100 50.0 50.0 5,000 2,012.0 4 2 25
6 100 25.6 22.5 2,560 1,081.5 1 1 35
7 100 48.6 47.6 4,860 2,455.5 3 1 32
Note: These data are related to a continuous transverse structure with a width of 1 m. For calculations of the number of bars, only the bars at the same level of
the platform pavement are considered (excluding the structural bars in the table).

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J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.

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Fig. 2. Panels from the continuous transverse grates tested on the UPC platform

Tests were made at 1∶1 scale on a rectangular testing area that is
1.5 m wide and 5.5 m long with a platform able to simulate road
lanes with transverse slopes of up to 4% and a longitudinal slope up
to 10% (Fig. 3). For the fifth and seventh grated inlets, the width of
the testing area was limited to 1 m (because of the high captured
flows and the limited capacity of the model to measure them).
With the available system capacity, it is possible to test inlet
grates and to study their hydraulic capacity for a large set of flows
(0–200 L=s). Pump systems discharge the flow up to a tank placed
approximately 15 m above the platform.
A motorized slide valve regulates the flow discharged to the
model. Discharge is measured by an electromagnetic flow meter
with an accuracy of 1.0 L=s. The flow reaches the test area through
a tank located upstream of the platform. This tank dissipates the
flow energy and ensures that the surface water level is horizontal
in the transverse section. In this way, surface water elevation is the
same for the entire platform width and is a one-dimensional flow
condition. Under these circumstances, the approximation of steady
and uniform flow can be considered acceptable. The discharge in-
tercepted by the inlet is conveyed to a V-notch weir and the flow is

Fig. 3. UPC platform and test area for the continuous transverse grates

866 / JOURNAL OF IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING © ASCE / OCTOBER 2013

J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.

 measured through a limnimeter with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Flow
depth measurements on the platform are directly obtained with a
thin, graduated invar scale (Fig. 4). Fig. 5 shows a schematic sketch
of the test facilities.
Using these laboratory facilities, the seven selected continuous
transverse grates were tested to estimate their hydraulic efficien-
cies. The testing protocol established the following geometric con-
ditions for different flow rates per unit width:
1. The flow rate per unit width approaching to the inlet through
the platform (q): 6.7, 16.7, 33.3, 50.0, and 66.7 L=s=m. For
the Grated Inlets 5 and 7, because of the limited capacity of the
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Fig. 4. V-notch weir and limnimeter used for the measurement of
captured flow: the limnimeter is connected to the tank that collects
the captured flow and its measurement is provided through Pascal’s
principle of communicating vessels
Fig. 5. Schematic sketch of the test facilities; Qby-pass is the
flow not intercepted by the inlet defined and can be defined as
Qby-pass ¼ Q − Qint
JOURNAL OF IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING © ASCE / OCTOBER 2013 / 867
J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.
model in terms of captured flow, 1 m of the grate was tested
according to the following flow rates per unit width, (q): 10.0,
25.0, 50.0, 75.0, and 100.0 L=s=m.
2. Longitudinal slope (I y ): 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%.
3. Transverse slope (I x ): fixed to 0%.
Results of the First Experimental Campaign
Hydraulic efficiency was obtained for each continuous transverse
grate and each geometric configuration. The results showed that
efficiency decreased for high longitudinal slopes and high flow
rates. For low flow rates, the hydraulic efficiency of this type of
structure is close to 100%, whereas for the maximum flow rate
tested (100–66.7 L=s=m) and high longitudinal slopes (close to
10%), the tested grates had hydraulic efficiencies between 15
and 50%, depending on the grate type (Table 2). These values, com-
pared to data obtained for grated inlets placed in the gutter at the
road sides (Gómez and Russo 2011), demonstrate better hydraulic
performance. This conclusion is in agreement with Burgi (1978),
who concluded that, for a given grated inlet surface area, a partial
increase in grate width results in a greater percentage increase in
hydraulic efficiency, E, than an increase in length.
Experimental data were used to create summary tables and
graphs for each tested grate, relating hydraulic efficiency to flow
rate per unit width and longitudinal slope. For cases that were
not included in the testing protocol, interpolation and extrapolation
is required (Gómez and Russo 2009).
The analysis of tests results shows clearly that Grated Inlets 1, 2,
5, 6, and 7 have very high hydraulic efficiencies. However, if the
range of hydraulic efficiencies is related to the size of the grates, for
the tested circulating unit flow rates, Grated Inlet 1 shows perfor-
mances similar to Grated Inlets 5 and 7, which have greater sizes.
Another interesting conclusion about the hydraulic design of the
grates was deduced by comparing the efficiency between two
grates with similar sizes (Grated Inlets 1 and 5). In this case,
the results of the tests show that hydraulic design of Grated Inlet
1 (with bars parallel to the flow) is better than the hydraulic design
of Grated Inlet 6 (fishbone design). The explanation of this result is
that the fishbone design produces more splash phenomena than
bars parallel to the flow, with a decrease of captured flow.
As stated in the first paper published on this experimental cam-
paign, flow conditions and dimensional analysis suggested that a
nondimensional quantity such as hydraulic efficiency should de-
pend only on the geometry of the grate (length, void area, and
shape) and that the Froude number of the approaching flow (or
an equivalent nondimensional quantity describing the inertial
and gravitational characteristic of the flow) is strictly related to
the discharge, the surface roughness, and the street geometry
(Gómez and Russo 2009).
The linear relationship between Froude number and hydraulic
efficiency for each type of grate and each flow rate per unit width
proposed in the previous work was extended to the new tested con-
tinuous transverse grates. This relationship is:
Table 2. Efficiency Ranges for the Continuous Transverse Grates
Grate type Range of efficiency (%)
1 53–100
2 40–100
3 19–97
4 15–97
5 46–100
6 32–93
7 50–100
 Table 3. Values of the Parameters a and b for Eq. (3)
Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse
Grate 1 Grate 2 Grate 3 Grate 4 Grate 5 Grate 6 Grate 7
q (L=s) a b a b a b a b a b a b a b
100.0 −0.074 0.867 −0.078 0.881
75.0 −0.113 1.026 −0.076 0.967
66.7 −0.100 0.944 −0.103 0.766 −0.054 0.374 −0.156 0.661 −0.145 0.858
50.0 −0.120 1.083 −0.147 0.960 −0.071 0.457 −0.203 0.803 −0.119 1.146 −0.152 0.975 −0.080 1.062
33.3 −0.051 1.030 −0.076 0.985 −0.059 0.557 −0.149 0.840 −0.166 1.146
25.0 −0.036 0.998 −0.041 1.065
16.7 −0.063 1.087 −0.065 1.050 −0.057 0.760 −0.147 0.997 −0.064 1.043
10.0 Hydraulic efficiency close to 100%
6.7 Hydraulic efficiency close to 100%
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E¼a×Fþb
where a and b = characteristic parameters depending on grate
geometry and approaching flow (Table 3); and F is the Froude num-
ber, related to the street flow q approaching the grate, defined as
v may create difficulties in the procedure to calculate hydraulic effi-
F ¼ pffiffiffiffiffi
gy
where v = flow velocity upstream the grate; and y = depth of
the flow.
The coefficient of determination (R2 ) between experimental
data and linear trendlines was very high for all tested continuous
transverse grates (for high values of q, the values of R2 ranged from
0.95 to 0.99). The graphs and the relations using Eq. (3) are char-
acteristic of each type of grate and each flow rate per unit
width (Fig. 6).
This type of equation may be used as a first approach to design a
surface drainage system considering a constant flow rate. In this
case, to calculate the Froude number, a kinematic wave model with
normal depth conditions can be assumed as the first approach for
ð3Þ the design of the surface drainage system (supercritical flow con-
ditions were guaranteed for the tested geometric configurations and
flow rates per unit width from 16.7 L=s). For intermediate flow
values, interpolation is required.
Unfortunately, Eq. (3) is not very practical to use, because a and
b are both related to grate geometry and approaching flow, which
ð4Þ
ciency. To achieve a general equation that is valid for any approach-
ing flow, a dimensionless equation was proposed on the basis of the
experimental data, which is common to all the seven grates. This
expression links hydraulic efficiency to certain flow parameters
(Froude number and flow depth) and geometric parameters (effec-
tive length of the grate):
" #0.812
y
E¼α×F× þβ ð5Þ
L
where α and β depend on the geometric characteristics of the an-
alyzed grates; L = effective length (length of the grate opening in
the direction of flow); and y=L = normalized flow depth related to L
and calculated immediately upstream of the grate.

Fig. 6. Efficiency-Froude number relation for Continuous Transverse Grate 6

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J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.

 Table 4. Empirical Characteristic Parameters α and β and Coefficients of Determination R2 of the Continuous Transverse Grates for Eq. (5)
Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse
Grate 1 Grate 2 Grate 3 Grate 4 Grate 5 Grate 6 Grate 7
α −0.882 −0.799 −0.544 −0.774 −1.292 −1.289 −1.209
β 1.209 1.215 0.861 1.030 1.187 1.279 1.201
R2 0.872 0.928 0.890 0.898 0.885 0.952 0.969

In Eq. (5), F ranges from 1 to 5.7 (supercritical flow conditions),
whereas y=L ranges from 0.03 to 0.63. Supercritical flow was prac-
tically guaranteed for all tested conditions (flow rates per unit width
from 16.7 to 100 L=s=m). Subcritical flow conditions were
recorded only for low flow rates (6.7–10 L=s=m) in which effi-
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Results of the Second Experimental Campaign:
Estimation of α and β from Transverse Grate Geometry
As stated in the previous section, the hydraulic efficiency of a
continuous transverse grate could be expressed by the Eq. (5),
depending on two characteristic parameters related to grate

ciency values were close to 100%. These values were not used
to develop Eqs. (3) and (5). Therefore, the range of applicability
of the equations in terms of flow rate per unit width is from
16.7 to 100 L=s=m.
Table 4 shows the characteristic coefficients of the continuous
grates. Through the developed equation, all values for different
flow rates collapse into single curves that can be approximated
as straight lines, as shown in Fig. 7. The values of R2 are not much
lower than for the previous case (Table 4). These values demon-
strate a close correlation between the experimental data and the pro-
posed expressions.
Grate 5 was used to validate Eqs. (3) and (5). Specifically,
Fig. 8 shows the validation results for Eq. (5) with a R2 equal
to 0.89.
geometry. These parameters can be achieved through experimental
tests in real scale, although this practice is not common among
manufacturers.
To extend the methodology presented in this paper to grates
not previously tested, the α and β coefficients need to be related
to relevant geometric parameters of the grates. On the basis of
previous experiences regarding single grated inlets placed in street
gutters (Spaliviero and May 1998; Gómez and Russo 2011), these
coefficients were related to some relevant geometric parameters,
which allowed the following equations to be obtained:
L0.631
α ¼ −1.924 × × ðnd þ 1Þ−0.089
AH
0.279
× ðnl þ 1Þ−0.238 × ðnt þ 1Þ−0.045 ð6Þ

β ¼ −26,803 × L−4.953 þ 1.213 ð7Þ

where L = effective length of the grate (previously described), ex-

pressed in cm; AH = grate void area, expressed in cm2 ; and nd , nl ,
and nt = number of diagonal, longitudinal, and transverse bars of
the grate, respectively. All of these parameters should be evaluated
per unit width of the grate, which was 1 m in this case.
Eqs. (6) and (7) allow designers to estimate α and β parameters
when it is not possible to obtain them through tests that represent
the desirable solution in any case.
According to the previous experimental campaign, Grates 1, 2,
3, 4, 6, and 7 were used to derive Eqs. (5) and (6), whereas Grate 5
was used to validate the formulas.
The results of this campaign demonstrate that, even without the
Fig. 7. Efficiency-Froude number relation for Continuous Transverse
experimental geometric parameters α and β, Eqs. (6) and (7) can
Grate 6
accurately estimate the hydraulic efficiencies of nontested grates.
Table 5 shows the characteristic parameters α and β from
Eqs. (6) and (7) and the coefficients of determination (from 0.85
to 0.94) expressing the agreement between trendlines based on
these equations and experimental data. The accuracy of the pro-
posed procedure is also proved by the comparison between the lin-
ear trendlines based on experimental data and the linear trendlines
obtained from Eqs. (6) and (7).
Fig. 9 shows the trendlines related to Grate 5, used for valida-
tion. For this case, by using Eqs. (6) and (7) to estimate α and β
parameters, the coefficient of determination changes from 0.89 to
0.87, as shown in Tables 4 and 5.
Eqs. (3), (5), (6), and (7) are derived while assuming that
the grate is free of blockage and debris. As demonstrated by
several authors, clogging effects should be considered as a reduc-
tion in terms of hydraulic efficiency through specific clogging
Fig. 8. Efficiency-Froude number relation for Continuous Transverse
factors (Guo 2000; Gómez and Russo 2013). Further experi-
Grate 5, used for validation
mental campaigns should be conducted to demonstrate how

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J. Irrig. Drain Eng. 2013.139:864-871.

 Table 5. Characteristic Parameters α and β Achieved from Eqs. (6) and (7) and Coefficients of Determination of the Continuous Transverse Grates for Eq. (5)
Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse Transverse
Grate 1 Grate 2 Grate 3 Grate 4 Grate 5 Grate 6 Grate 7
α −0.862 −0.709 −0.682 −0.867 −1.324 −1.171 −1.277
β 1.210 1.173 0.967 1.092 1.213 1.208 1.213
R2 0.880 0.921 0.844 0.883 0.882 0.938 0.958

Notation

The following symbols are used in this paper:

AH = grate void area;
a = characteristic parameter depending on the grate type and
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Fig. 9. Experimental linear trendline (based on experimental data) ver-
sus proposed linear trendline [from Eqs. (5)–(7) for Continuous Grate
5, used for validation]; the coefficient of determination varies from 0.89
(for the experimental linear trendline) to 0.87 [for the proposed trend-
line achieved by Eqs. (6)–(8)]
Eqs. (3), (5), (6), and (7) can be used to represent the hydraulic
behavior of partially clogged inlets.
Conclusions
Continuous transverse grates are common in paved areas (airport
aprons, squares, parks, and pedestrian areas), where isolated inlets
turn out to be ineffective in collecting the entire runoff into the
sewer system during a storm event, because of the lack of a well
defined flow path and gradients capable of directing flows toward
the collecting hydraulic structures. The hydraulic efficiencies of
several transverse grates were studied through an experimental
campaign. The first results on this subject were presented in a
previous paper published on this journal, where, on the basis of
experimental data, linear equations relating hydraulic efficiency,
E, and Froude number, F, were presented. These results have been
updated and improved by new data obtained from new experimen-
tal tests.
These equations link the hydraulic efficiency to specific param-
eters related to the geometry of the grates and the flow rate per unit
width upstream the grate.
Through additional experimental tests, a new procedure was
developed to estimate the coefficients of these equations for non-
tested continuous grates on the basis of relevant geometric param-
eters of the grate. This procedure extends the methodology to grates
not previously tested, but with similar dimensions and geometry
to those tested. The test results provide information that can be
used directly by manufacturers and engineering firms to design
adequate surface drainage systems for urban areas. The scope of
applicability of the proposed procedure is represented by all public
or private paved areas where it is necessary to limit urban runoff
to fulfill the required hazard criteria (generally, water depth and
velocity).
circulating discharge;
b = characteristic parameter depending on grate type and
circulating discharge;
E = hydraulic grate efficiency;
F = Froude number;
I x = transversal slope;
I y = longitudinal slope;
L = effective length (the length of the grate opening in the
direction of flow);
nd = number of diagonal bars of the grate;
nl = number of longitudinal bars of the grate;
nt = number of transverse bars of the grate;
Q = flow rate approaching the grate;
Qint = captured flow rate;
q = flow rate per unit width flowing on the street;
qint = flow rate per unit width intercepted by the grate;
v = flow velocity;
y = flow depth;
y
L = normalized flow depth upstream the grate;
α = characteristic parameter depending on grate
geometry; and
β = characteristic parameter depending on grate
geometry.
References
Aronica, G. T., and Lanza, L. G. (2005). “Drainage efficiency in urban
areas: A case study.” Hydrol. Processes, 19(5), 1105–1119.
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Administration, Washington, DC.
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