Trench Drain Systems: Types, Benefits, Applications, and Overview

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. offers a full line of trench drain products covering a broad scope of manufacturing, processing, commercial, industrial and residential applications. The Enviro-Flo® Trench Drain Series, Figure Numbers 9930 and 9931, is made from 100% polypropylene, making it light weight, durable and easy to install. The Enviro-Flo® system can consist of 15 sloped and 15 neutral channels for any configuration. The Smith/ACO Trench Drain Series, Figure Numbers 9810 through 9860, is made from precast polymer concrete and fiberglass. The Smith/ACO system is sloped with a radiused bottom. The smooth, uniform interior of these channels offers maximum hydraulic performance. Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. Drainage Systems includes a wide variety of grate types and materials to meet all installation requirements.

For more information, please visit www.jrsmith.com

1. Course Sponsor:
Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.
2781 Gunter Park Dr. E
Montgomery, AL
36109
Ph: 334-277-8520
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.jrsmith.com

2. Background, operation and design of trench drain
system.
Design advantages of trench drain system.
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3. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:

3.Describe the basic ideas of trench drainage system.
5.List the benefits of trench drainage systems.
7.Compare and contrast the differences between traditional
trench drainage systems.
9.Cite case studies and installation examples of trench drain
systems.
11.Describe how trench drainage systems can help reduce
project costs.
33

4. Drainage is the process of carrying water AWAY from a specific
place.
The process of drainage has been around for many years.
Trench drainage (floor trench) can be referred to as: channel
drainage, line drainage, trip drainage and slot drainage.
Trench drains are considered to be an open trench with
removable grates. Slot drains are a slot in the pavement
connected to underground drains and to not have removable
grates.
Generally a trench is regarded as the completed job in the
ground. A channel is an individual modular piece which when
added to others makes up the drainage system.
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5. Reduce Ponding
Reduce Slip Hazards
Protect and Extend Life of Paved Surfaces
Protect Property from Flood Damage
Reduce Inconvenience to Public Users
Reduce Hydroplaning Hazard to Vehicles on Roads
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6. Ignore It
Open Swale
Catch Basins
Trench Drains
66
Open Swale
Trench Drains
Catch Basin

7. Catch Basin Drainage
Modular Trench
Drainage Systems
Cast in Place Trench
Drains
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8. Uneven appearance.
Complex, multiple grades to design and construct.
Deeper excavation required due to pipe depths.
Higher risk of ponding.
Pipes prone to blockage and failure.
Maintenance can be difficult and costly since piping is not
accessible.
Possible interference with other utilities, i.e. electrical,
sewage, etc.
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9. High labor cost.
Time consuming due to on-site formwork.
Hand-formed poured-in-place concrete
trenches often are not uniform in the slope.
Concrete absorbs water.
Difficult to get a uniform slope.
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10. Slower drainage due to wide trenches
Debris and standing water result from slower flow and
create unsanitary conditions
Concrete is attacked my mild acids, caustics and
saltwater
Concrete patching is difficult and time consuming
Grates often have to be ground or otherwise modified to
fit and to keep from rocking
1010

11. Neat, linear appearance
Simpler grades to design and construct
Easier to install due to shallower excavation
and pre-sloped sections make it easier to
construct since slope is built in
Continuously intercepts water and provides
superior drainage
Minimal underground piping
Maintenance is quicker and easier since
trench is at surface
Less interference with other utilities since
excavation is shallow
1111

12. Food Processing Facilities
Animal Facilities
Stadiums and Sporting Facilities
Fire Stations
Vehicle Maintenance Facilities
Pools
Airports
Manufacturing Plants
Lawn and Garden Centers
Retail Stores
Parking Lots
12

13. Rapid drainage. The drain bottom is shaped to increase
velocity during low flow conditions and helps in self
cleaning.
Closed cell structure of polymers and negligible water
absorption prevents collection of bacteria and stops
gasoline and other pollutants from getting into the soil.
Highly chemical resistant. Not eroded by cleaning agents in
wash-down water in food processing plants.
Easily maintained since smooth, radius channels don’t
collect debris.
1313

14. Hydraulic Performance – the amount of liquid to be intercepted,
collected and carried in a specific time period
Traffic type and frequency
Wheel size and type
Static versus dynamic loading
Loading – what loads will the trench be subjected to
Traffic type and frequency
Wheel size and type
Static versus dynamic loading
1414

15. Durability– how the trench system performs over time
Material choices and performance
Chemical resistance
Installation
User Requirements – project specific options
Aesthetic – visual look requirements
Safety – ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements,
pedestrian requirements – ladies heels, slip resistant finish,
etc.
Security – ease of removal of grate
1515

16. For an application that has 2” per hour of rainfall with a trench drain
located across a paved area. The lot is level along the 130’ length and
slopes to the center of the 65’ dimension. Existing conditions allow the
outlet anywhere.
Step 1. Determine the total volume flow rate.
130’ x 65’ = 8450 Sq. Ft.
2” per hour / 12” per foot = 0.167’ per hour
0.167’ per hour X 8450 Sq. Ft. = 1411 CFH (Cubic Feet per Hour)
1411 CFH / 3600 Seconds per Hour = 0.39 CFS (Cubic Feet per Second)
0.39 CFS – Convert to GPM (Gallons per Minute) =
 .39 * 7.48 * 60 = 175 GPM
175 GPM is the total volume flow rate required for the catchment area.
1616
65’
130’

17. Step 2. Decide on correct layout. Since the trench exceeds 100 feet in
length and we would rather not use extension walls, the catch basin will
be placed in the center and slope each end to the catch basin.




65’ 65’
1717

18. 1818
Extra Heavy Duty -
•For use: Commercial solid tire traffic patterns, forklifts, and
impacts from steel struts or metal wheels.
Heavy Duty -
•For use: Commercial pneumatic tire traffic patterns,
forklifts, and tractor trailers
Medium Duty –
•For use: Passenger cars and vans
Light Duty -
•For use: Pedestrian, wheel chair and bicycle traffic areas.

19. 1919
Features and Benefits
Applications
•1’ long non-sloping channels.
•Channel sections are bolted together.
•Channel sections available with flashing flange and
flashing clamp.
•Channel sections can be provided with acid
resistant coating when specified.
•Channel sections are appropriate for high
temperature applications.
•Channel section grates can be provided with vandal
proof screws when specified.
•Channel sections can be provided with caulk,
threaded or no-hub outlets.
•Truck Loading Docks
•Parking Decks
•Above Grade Applications

20. 2020
Features and Benefits
Applications
•Lower installation cost; no formwork required.
•Smooth interior finish for complete drainage.
•Less than 1% water absorption per ASTM C-97 for high
freeze/thaw resistance.
•Slope is built into channels.
•No grouting trowelling.
•Rapid drainage. The bottom is shaped to increase velocity
during low flow conditions and helps in self cleaning.
•Closed cell structure of polymers and negligible water absorption prevents
collection of bacteria and stops gasoline and other pollutants from getting into
the soil.
•Highly chemical resistant. Not eroded by cleaning agents in wash-down water
in food processing plants.
•Easily maintained since smooth, radius channels don’t collect debris.
•Food Processing Plants

21. 2121
Features and Benefits
Applications
•Channel sections are available in 3’, 9’, and 9’ 10” long.
•Multiple frame material available, powder coated steel,
stainless steel and galvanized steel.
•Channels are available in neutral (flat) and 1/8” sloped.
•Channel depths range from 6 3/8” to 20 3/8” deep.
•High flow bar grates available in galvanized steel and
stainless steel material.
•Fiberglass channels are available in two different resins,
polyester and more chemical resistant vinylester.
•4”, 6”, or 8” vertical or horizontal outlets are available.
•Airport Hangers
•Water Treatment Plants
•Parking Lots

22. 2222
Features and Benefits
Applications
•Available in two neutral depths and 20 interlocking,
0.6% pre-sloped channels.
•The shallowest channel is 13.06” and the deepest
channel is 17.81”.
•Closing end caps and horizontal outlet caps provide
for a complete drainage system.
•Strengthening ribs on the channel sides create a
stronger and safer system capable of withstanding
the considerable loading imposed by the turning
action of heavy wheeled vehicles.
•Side profiling also provides anchoring to the
surrounding concrete to prevent movement due to
freeze-thaw cycles.
•Airports
•Warehouses
•Bus Depots
•Service Stations
•Military Bases
•Highways

23. 2323
Features and Benefits
•1 Meter Channel Sections, 39.38” long and 6.38” wide.
•4” Wide Throat with Bolting End Plates.
•23 Modular Chanel Sections Made of 16 Gauge, type 304
Stainless Steel.
•4 Neutral (flat) Channels and 15 Channels with .6% Build-
in Slope.
•Channel Inverts Range from 3.75” to 7.50”.
•Regularly Furnished with Secure Light Duty Slotted
Stainless Steel Grate.
•4” No-Hub Vertical Outlet on Channel Sections 2,5,10 and
15.
•End Outlet Plates Available in 2”, 3”, and 4” No-Hub.
•Available with Flashing Flange and Flashing Collar.
•A variety of Stainless Steel Grates Available.
Applications
•Bottling Plants
•Commercial Plants
•Food Handling (Restaurants and Cafeterias)

24. 2424
Lincoln Center Performing Arts
New York, NY
The Lincoln Center
Performing Arts project was a
renovation and required that
existing load structures had
to remain intact. Most of the
project called for irregular or
custom designed trench
drains. An engineered
stainless steel trench drain
system was provided for the
project.

25. 2525
Trench Drains at
University of Cincinnati
The UC Trabert-Talbert Tennis Center consists of a six-court tennis
complex with a central grandstand and was constructed over a 150-
car underground parking garage. Due to the tennis courts being
located above the parking garage, a trench drain with flashing was
required to prevent any water leaks into the parking garage. A
membrane drain with waterproofing clamping system was provided for
the project.

26. 2626
Automotive Service Center
A fortune 250 company built a large scale, high end luxury
automobile showroom in central New Jersey. They
requested a solution that could be designed and installed
without delays and with minimal disruptions. A high
capacity pre-sloped fiberglass trench drain system was
provided for the project.

27. By now you should be able to:
Describe the basic ideas of Trench Drains
List the benefits of Trench Drains
Compare and contrast the differences between traditional
drainage and engineered trench drains
Cite case studies and installation examples where a trench
drain systems benefited the owner
Describe how a trench drain system can help reduce project
costs
2727

28. Course Sponsor:
Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.
2781 Gunter Park Dr. E
Montgomery, AL
36109
Ph: 334-277-8520
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.jrsmith.com