Sunday, 2 February 2014

Secure, Stunning And Steadfast Spill Containment Berms

By Serena Price


In airports and airstrips where flammable petrol is kept, it must be contained with spill containment berms that prevent flows to the adjoining suburbs. These mounds must be inclined meticulously to merge with the rest of the landscape features such as trees, grass, flowers and steps. At five percent, the ground does indeed have a distinct gradient to it.

An inclined zone is one that has some portion of the ground surface located on a grade. However steep, all hilly areas possess a number of special circumstances that should be thought about in designing a mound for safety in industrial places or airports. A person must exert continual energy to stay put in any given location because there is a constant feeling of being pulled downhill.

Both objects and views have a tendency to move downhill. In addition, the visual orientation for people on a tilt is also toward the lower hill. People readily see objects or areas of the landscape located at the bottom very much like they do in an outdoor terrace. The orientation is very likely to be away from the site toward some distant area of the landscape.

Steeply sloped sites located in areas of distinct topography are frequently valued for the views they afford. Drainage becomes more problematic as the degree of steepness increases. Steeper slopes have a greater amount of surface water moving across them at faster velocities than do more gentle slopes or level ground. Therefore, there is more water to drain away. An incline analysis will show which areas are steepest and which are the most gentle.

This is frequently accomplished by placing the long dimension of outdoor spaces parallel to the contours. Retaining walls, sometimes located on both the uphill and downhill sides of spaces, can also be employed as a means of accommodating the different elevation between spaces.

On steeper site areas, outdoor uses may need to be molded by creating terraces that are cut at different elevations. This creates a series of large steps on which outdoor uses are placed. Retaining walls give them a more architectural appearance and allow spaces to be placed closer together. For example, a recreational lawn area should ideally be placed in a location that tilts between two and four percent.

Some outdoor uses may not be possible here. Outdoor areas that are large in size and require a gentle ground surface may need to be eliminated from a design program. The steepest areas are often best left alone. The designer might reserve the steepest areas for vegetation on disturbed or graded lots as well. Therefore, it may also be necessary to incorporate ramps, especially in the public areas such as the approach to the front of the house.

This is necessary but becomes more difficult on steeper sites because of the potential for erosion. Valley-like excavations into the earth, which are cut to catch and direct water, should be designed so they visually fit into the topography. Trenches that look like gashes because of overly steep side slopes should be avoided. The low side on the other hand, may be wetter because of the water that drains to it. Storm water must be directed in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of spill containment berms.




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