What you need to know
Customer : Anglia Ruskin University
Contractor : Stephenson Construction
Project size: : 202 bed student accommodation
Products used : Wavin Q-Bic Plus
The Challenges
Flooding and climate change are combining to create a concerning rise in floodwater damage. To protect against the damage caused by excess water over-capacitating standard drainage systems, more developers are turning to SuDs (Sustainable urban Drainage systems).Over 200 students set to descend on the halls in September 2018, the developer needed a solution that could be installed quickly and could fit into the tight space left by a derelict car dealership. It was clear that traditional stormwater solutions would not be sufficient. Such systems fail to mitigate the impact of such high levels of surface water. The challenge with this is that it can make flooding worse in other parts of the local area, as water is directed away from access points.
The system would also need to be somewhat flexible to make the best of the limited space of the site. The developers needed a modular system that they could, in effect, mold to the shape and size of the space they were able to use.
The Solution
Stephenson Construction worked with specialist experts from Wavin, who recommended the use of an engineered solution specifically designed to support the infiltration and attenuation of stormwater. The installation would help provide a place to store excessive groundwater away from the halls for later controlled release.Wavin’s Q-Bic Plus infiltration system, with integrated and bespoke Wavin Vortex valve’s, was selected. This is a specialist sustainable urban drainage solution consisting of a series of tanks buried underground.
Designed to mimic Mother Nature by managing stormwater at source, the system works by collecting excess stormwater from across a site and storing it until it can be released in a controlled manner.
The modular nature of the Q-Bil Plus system, with integrated connectors incorporated into each unit, meant that the engineers working on the design for the new halls had considerable freedom to devise the most appropriate drainage solution.
The result was a network of more than 140 Q-Bic Plus units installed beneath the halls, arranged into five different tank configurations of units optimizing storage capacity. The system will be connected to the guttering on the final build, as well as the drains for the local area, ready to collect excess groundwater during extreme weather events. The Q-Bic Plus system offered benefits beyond ensuring the site remains dry and accessible during bad weather.
Wavin Q-Bic Plus Stormwater management system
The revolutionary design of Wavin Q-Bic Plus makes installation and inspection easier and faster.
The Q-Bic Plus system can be used either as a temporary storage tank or a soakaway, particularly where accessibility into the tank is required. It is suitable for a wide range of landscaped and trafficked applications, including:
• Landscaped
• Parks
• Domestic gardens
• Residential developments
• Car parks & roads
• Industrial/commercial areas
