9 DG-Infiltration Gallery ADA
9 DG-Infiltration Gallery ADA
9 DG-Infiltration Gallery ADA
Design Guidance
June 2021
List of Figures
Figure 1-1. Schematic of a Medium Type Infiltration Gallery installed on 07-LA-210 (EA
323104) ...................................................................................................................................1-3
Figure 1-2. Schematic of a Large Type Infiltration Gallery installed on 07-Ven-118 (EA
336004) ...................................................................................................................................1-4
Figure 3-1. BMP Size Reduction Based on Soil Type ..................................................................3-2
Figure 4-1. Example of Perforated HDPE Pipe installation, Photo from Plastic Pipe Institute
website. ..................................................................................................................................4-2
Figure 4-2. Example of Perforated Metal Pipe installation, Photo from Storm Water Solutions
Magazine website. ................................................................................................................4-3
Figure 6-1. Proposed Infiltration Gallery Project, Sea World Drive, Route 5 ............................6-1
Figure 6-2. Illustration of One-Dimensional Flow Out of an Infiltration Gallery ........................6-3
List of Tables
Table 2-1. Infiltration Gallery Design Criteria..............................................................................2-2
Table 2-2. Posssible Infiltration and Soil Properties Tests ............................................................2-4
Table 2-3. Other Possible Soil Tests ..............................................................................................2-5
Table 3-1. Typical Infiltration Rates for NRCS Type, HSG, and USCS Classifications1...............3-3
Table 5-1. Example Infiltration Gallery Estimate ........................................................................5-4
List of Abbreviations
AASHTO American Association of State PDT Project Development Team
Highway and Transportation PE Project Engineer
Officials
PECE Preliminary Engineer’s Cost
ACI American Concrete Institute Estimate
ASTM American Society for Testing and PID Project Initiation Document
Materials
PPCE Project Planning Cost Estimate
BEES Basic Engineering Estimating
System PPDG Project Planning and Design
Guide
BMP Best Management Practice
PS&E Plans, Specifications and Estimate
CRZ Clear Recovery Zone, (AASHTO
Clear Zone) RCB Reinforced Concrete Box
CDA contributing drainage area RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control
Board
CF cubic foot
SQFT square foot
CY cubic yard
SQYD square yard
DPPIA Design Pollution Prevention
Infiltration Area SSP Standard Special Provision
FHWA Federal Highway Administration SWDR Stormwater Data Report
ft foot/feet SWRCB State Water Resources Control
Board
H:V Horizontal:Vertical
TBMP Treatment Best Management
HDM Highway Design Manual Practice
HQ Headquarters USCS Unified Soil Classification System
HSG Hydrologic Soil Group WQF Water Quality Flow
LID Low Impact Development WQV Water Quality Volume
LRFD Load and Resistance Factor
Design
MSL Mean Sea Level
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation
Service
nSSPs non-Standard Special Provisions
OHSD Office of Hydraulics and
Stormwater Design
PA/ED Project Approval/Environmental
Document
Introduction
This document provides information for Caltrans Designers for evaluating and
incorporating Infiltration Galleries as Treatment Best Management Practices (TBMPs)
into projects during the planning and design of Caltrans highways and facilities. Use
of this TBMP must be approved by the District/Regional Design Stormwater
Coordinator. Infiltration Gallery TBMPs are underground structures designed to
temporarily store runoff for infiltration. An Infiltration Gallery is an infiltration device,
functionally equivalent to an Infiltration Basin or Infiltration Trench, except that the
Infiltration Gallery is an underground structure that requires structural analysis as
maintenance vehicles may drive across or park on them occasionally. The primary
functions of this document are to:
1. Describe an Infiltration Gallery
2. Provide design considerations
3. Review the required design elements for implementing Infiltration Gallery TBMPs
into Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) packages
4. Provide a design example
It is assumed that the need for post construction TBMPs has already been
determined in accordance with the guidelines and procedures presented in the
Project Planning and Design Guide (PPDG; Caltrans 2019a).
The following guidance is based on a review of several types of Infiltration Gallery
TBMPs. Designers may utilize alternatives to the calculation methodologies
presented in this guidance provided the alternative calculations and design
decisions are documented in the project Stormwater Data Report (SWDR) and the
Project File. The SWDR template can be found in the PPDG.
Depending on the size and type of infiltration system designers can use either
approved perforated pipe sizes or special structures. A structural design analysis
using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specifications,
8th Edition, with California Amendments (AASHTO 2019) criteria and construction
shop drawings may be required for Infiltration Gallery TBMPs. Geotechnical reports
of the underlying soil and adjacent slopes may also be necessary to provide
appropriate siting and design criteria.
Figure 1-2. Schematic of a Large Type Infiltration Gallery installed on 07-Ven-118 (EA
336004)
Proposed sites for Infiltration Gallery TBMPs should be excluded from consideration if
the site is constructed in fill or partially in fill, unless the location is approved in a
geotechnical report. The area identified for infiltration should be clearly marked on
the plans and delineated in the field. The contractor should only be allowed to
access the area during construction of the TBMP. Use of heavy equipment should
be limited or prohibited to prevent compaction of the underlying soils intended for
infiltration.
For soils where there is a potential for the gallery bottom to freeze, discuss with the
Geotechnical Engineer options to line the bottom of the Infiltration Gallery with 6
inches to 1 foot (ft) of clean sand or gravel. This technique provides a layer of soil
that will infiltrate better than native soils and provide a thermal barrier to reduce
freezing potential.
Specific soils testing to be reported in the Geotechnical Design Report must be
carefully considered. Soil testing, including determining the infiltration rate of site
soils, should be completed as part of the Geotechnical request. The infiltration and
soil property tests that may be considered for inclusion in the Geotechnical request
are listed in Tables 2-1 and 2-2.
2.6 Restrictions/Coordination
Successful implementation and utilization of the Infiltration Gallery will require
proper siting by the PDT with coordination of the District/Regional Design
Stormwater Coordinator, District Hydraulics, District Maintenance, District Traffic
Operations, District Landscape Architecture, Geotechnical Design, Structure
1 For convenience in this document, this design storm flow will be referred to as Q25, although other recurrence
intervals might have been used, as described in HDM Chapter 830, Transportation Facility Drainage. Confer with
District Hydraulics.
Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks
Infiltration Gallery Design Guide
June 2021 2-7
SECTION TWO Infiltration Gallery Design
• When constructed inline, water stored in the Infiltration Galleries must not cause
backwater conditions upstream in the storm drain system that would adversely
impact its ability to convey flows generated by peak drainage design storms as
required in the HDM.
• The geometric configuration must be sized to allow the Infiltration Gallery to
drain within 96 hours. Required drain time may be more stringent based on
District specific or local vector requirements.
• Not appropriate for areas with inadequate soil infiltration rate (less than 0.5
inches per hour and/or HSG Type C soils). Note that constructed embankments
used to support highways are highly disturbed areas, and it is likely that the
infiltration rate will be degraded compared to that of the native soils. These sites
should not be considered without consultation with Geotechnical Services and
other Data Sources.
• Not appropriate for areas with seasonally high groundwater (minimum 5-ft
separation required), where groundwater has known contamination, in seismic
impact zones, or in areas with soil liquefaction and differential settlement
potential is possible.
The RWQCB having jurisdiction may impose additional requirements for water
protection purposes. Consultations with the RWQCB should include an assessment
of whether infiltration would exacerbate existing groundwater accretion problems.
Groundwater accretion has been implicated in certain areas as a contributing
factor to impairment by salt and other salt-associated dissolved constituents, such
as boron, selenium, sulfate, and chloride. If stormwater infiltration is determined to
increase the risk of groundwater accretion and seepage of high Total Dissolved
Solids water from down gradient areas, infiltration may not be appropriate.
Getting Started
Evaluate site conditions to obtain and assess the design parameters that will be
used to determine if an Infiltration Gallery is suitable based on the Feasibility Criteria
described in Section 2. Infiltration Gallery TBMPs require an extensive geotechnical
investigation, see the Infiltration Basins Design Guidance for more information. This
section provides the calculations that are used to verify TBMP feasibility and to
determine the portion of WQV infiltrated by the TBMP. If the Infiltration Gallery is
configured inline, also verify that the TBMP can convey the Design Storm flows.
Because the Infiltration Gallery is a newly approved TBMP, the TBMP design must be
approved for use by the District/Regional Design Stormwater Coordinator.
Alternative calculations may be used by the PE for a specific project and must be
developed by a qualified professional in consultation with the District/Regional
Design Stormwater Coordinator and documented in the SWDR. Consult with DEA
and OHSD for design approval or to determine if a Special Design required.
3.1.1 Contributing Drainage Area and WQV
The WQV generated by the TBMP CDA is calculated using the Small Storm
Hydrology Method (PPDG Section 5.3). The Caltrans Infiltration Tool version IT4 can
also be used when this TBMP site has infiltration capacity. An explanation of CDA
delineation and WQV calculation and example can be found in Section 3 of the
DPPIA Design Guidance (Caltrans 2021).
3.1.2 Invert Area
The geometric requirements of the Infiltration Gallery are based on the WQV, the in-
situ infiltration rate, and the desired drawdown time. Runoff is assumed to leave
Infiltration Galleries only through the invert. The invert area is sized using the
equation below:
Ainv = 12 x SF x WQV Eq. 2
kest x t
Where:
Ainv = area at the invert of the Infiltration Gallery (SQFT)
WQV = WQV (CF)
kest = known or estimated soil infiltration rate (in/hr)
t = drawdown time of full device (recommended as 40 to 48 hours)
SF = safety factor of 2.0
Table 3-1. Typical Infiltration Rates for NRCS Type, HSG, and USCS Classifications1
Typical Infiltration
HSG USCS Rates
NRCS Soil Type Classification Classifications (inches/hour)2,3
Sand A SP, SW, or SM 8
Loamy Sand A SM, ML 2
Sandy Loam A SM, SC 1
Loam B ML, CL 0.3
Silt Loam and Silt B ML, CL 0.25
Sandy Clay Loam C CL, CH, ML, 0.15
MH
Clay Loam, Silty Clay D CL, CH, ML, < 0.05
Loam, Sandy Clay, and MH
Silty Clay
Clay D CLM CH, MH < 0.05
1. Unified soil classification system (USCS) classifications are shown as
approximation to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
classifications. Note that the NRCS textural classification does not include gravel,
while the USCS does. Note also that the gradation criteria (particle diameter) for
the three soil types as used in the NRCS and the USCS, while agreeing in large
part, are not congruent. Dual classifications in the USCS are omitted. Infiltration
estimates for USCS found in standard geotechnical references may vary from
those shown for NRCS classifications, especially if significant gravel is present.
2. Infiltration Gallery should typically be placed at locations with soils classified as
HSG A, or B soils and the WQV should infiltrate within a maximum of 96 hours. If
an Infiltration Gallery can't drawdown in 96 hours, vector control meeting
California Department of Public Health requirements must also be implemented.
Coordinate with the District/Regional Design Stormwater Coordinator when
longer drawdown times are being considered. A maximum allowable infiltration
rate is not specified unless justified by adequate groundwater information.
3. When estimating the invert area for Infiltration Gallery placed in HSG Group B
soils using the equations above, use the minimum infiltration rate of 0.5 inches
per hour to initially size the TBMP until geotechnical investigation provides a field
rate for the proposed location.
Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks
Infiltration Gallery Design Guide
June 2021 3-3
SECTION THREE Getting Started
2 For convenience in this document, this flow will be referred to as Q25, although other recurrence intervals
might have been used as described in HDM Chapter 830, Transportation Facility Drainage. Confer with District
Hydraulics.
Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks
Infiltration Gallery Design Guide
3-4 June 2021
Section 4
BMP Layout
This section discusses various detailing needed to place an Infiltration Gallery within
a project, including: inline versus offline placement, pretreatment of runoff,
geotechnical investigation considerations, and structural design requirements.
4.1 Layout
The Infiltration Gallery may assume any shape and may be configured using
proprietary devices. Caltrans has not studied proprietary devices; therefore, these
devices may not comply with current maintenance practices. The Infiltration
Gallery may be designed using modified standard drainage facilities, such as
perforated drainage pipe (used for underdrains), open bottom RCBs, or arch
culverts with open bottoms, when feasible. The design must consider maintenance
access, constructability, and pretreatment to reduce sediment loading on the
system. When possible the Standard Plans for items such as excavation and backfill
or structural features should be used.
Safety of the traveling public is paramount and, therefore, the placement of this or
any other TBMP must not cause objectionable backwater or violate requirements of
Chapter 800 of the HDM. Specific consideration of the overall placement within the
existing drainage system is beyond the scope of this document, and should be
coordinated with District Hydraulics, as needed.
Example configurations of Infiltration Galleries are shown in Figure 4-1 and Figure
4-2.
4.1.1 Proprietary Devices
The use of proprietary devices within the right-of-way requires approval from the
District/Regional Design Stormwater Coordinator, District Office Engineer, OHSD,
District Maintenance Stormwater Coordinator and potentially other functional units,
as appropriate. Infiltration Gallery TBMPs that utilize a prefabricated product
(proprietary device) shall follow the manufacturer’s specifications for design,
installation, and maintenance. Public interest findings may be required to be
submitted to the Office of Federal Resources for review and approval. See the
Construction Contract Development Guide (Caltrans 2019b) and the Public Interest
Finding Guidelines for a complete list of requirements.
Figure 4-1. Example of Perforated HDPE Pipe installation, Photo from Plastic Pipe
Institute website.
Figure 4-2. Example of Perforated Metal Pipe installation, Photo from Storm Water
Solutions Magazine website.
the WQ Event. Offline placement also provides better treatment by collecting first-
flush runoff and does not flush out collected pollutants during high-flow storm
events. A flow diversion structure typically consists of a flow splitter, weir, orifice, or
pipe to bypass excess runoff (Caltrans 2020c). Whatever bypass design is chosen is
should be a passive system that does not require anyone for it to function. The
bypass device should meet the design criteria and be accompanied with
downstream conveyance engineered to handle the Design Storm flow (see Section
3.1.3).
PS&E Preparation
This section provides guidance for incorporating Infiltration Gallery TBMPs into the
PS&E package, discusses typical specifications that may be required, and presents
information about estimating construction costs.
While every effort has been made to provide accurate information here, the PE is
responsible for incorporating all design aspects of Infiltration Gallery TBMPs into the
PS&E in accordance with the requirements of Section 2 of the Construction
Contract Development Guide (Caltrans 2019b).
• Temporary Water Pollution Control Plans: These sheets show the temporary
TBMPs used to establish the Infiltration Gallery TBMPs and compliance with the
Construction General Permit.
5.2 Specifications
Contract specifications for projects that include Infiltration Gallery TBMPs will
include Standard Specifications and may include Standard Special Provisions (SSPs)
and non-Standard Special Provisions (nSSPs). 3
If special provisions are needed for the various items of work to construct the
Infiltration Gallery TBMP, they could be organized under the blanket heading of
'Infiltration Gallery’ with some or all of these items listed as subheadings. Payment
would be made for ‘each’ Infiltration Gallery. Optionally, separate listings could be
made for each contract item of work, with separate measurements and payments.
The PE and the District Office Engineer should consider which method would better
serve the project.
5.2.1 Standard Specifications
Standard Specifications are to be used for a project that constructs an Infiltration
Gallery TBMP. Consider the construction of the Infiltration Gallery in the context of
the entire project to determine what Standard Specifications are applicable. Within
the Standard Specifications, these are the sections that will typically be applicable:
13 Water Pollution Control
17 General (Earthwork and Landscape)
19 Earthwork
21 Erosion Control
51 Concrete Structures
52 Reinforcement
62 Class D Filter Fabric
64 Plastic Pipe
68 Subsurface Drains
70 Miscellaneous Drainage Facility
71 Existing Drainage Facilities
72 Slope Protection
73 Concrete Curbs
96 Geosynthetics
3 Standard Specifications will not be included but merely referenced in the contract’s special provisions.
Verify the quantities for inclusion in the project cost estimate to identify which
should be considered Final Pay items, and to determine appropriate unit prices for
each. Develop all necessary earthwork quantities for each specific Infiltration
Gallery location and determine limits of excavation and backfill.
When developing costs based on unit quantities, the cost estimates should be
based upon the most recent Caltrans Contract Cost Data Book and District 8 Cost
Data Base for current similar projects in the District: http://sv08web/contractcost/
Use the project specifications, SSPs, and nSSPs to develop a list of items for which
unit costs should be supplied. Carefully check that all items of work are accounted
for either as pay or non-pay items.
Watch for the costs associated with earthwork for each specific Infiltration Gallery
location, including the need for shoring to protect an existing highway feature.
Calculate quantities for cost estimating and construction pay items and
incorporate into the modified drawings and estimates.
Estimate the total cost of each Infiltration Gallery used on the project for tracking
TBMP costs at PS&E. Document all TBMP costs in the project SWDR at PS&E.
Design Example
The site chosen for this example is a proposed bridge expansion at Sea World Drive,
District 11, located at Route 5. An aerial photograph of the site is provided in Figure
6-1.
Figure 6-1. Proposed Infiltration Gallery Project, Sea World Drive, Route 5
Givens:
• Invert elevation at proposed Infiltration Gallery: 15 ft Mean Sea Level (MSL)
• Geotechnical Properties:
− Permeability (Kest) as 1.50 inches per hour
− Groundwater elevation below proposed Infiltration Gallery: 5 ft MSL
− Geotechnical Report concludes the site is suitable for placement of
Infiltration Galleries
• Assume instantaneous runoff to the TBMP (i.e., slug-flow)
• CDA (A) as 1.54 acres (80% impervious):
− 1.23 acres impervious roadway
− 0.31 acre unpaved
• Available length (parallel to roadway) for Infiltration Gallery is 50 ft
• Drawdown time (t) as 48 hours
• Precipitation depth (P) as 0.49 inch
• No Water Quality siting restrictions apply
• Offline system
• Pretreatment system sized separately
Step 1: Determine the WQV:
WQV = Rv (P/12) A
Where:
WQV = Runoff volume generated by the 85th percentile 24-hour
storm event (CF)
Rv = Volumetric Runoff Coefficient, 0.60 – from PPDG Section
5.3 for 80 percent impervious drainage area
P = Precipitation Depth, 0.49 inch (given)
A = CDA, 1.54 ac (given)
WQV = 0.60 x 0.49 inch (1 inch /12 ft) x (1.54 acres x 43,560 SQFT/acre) = 1,644
CF
Step 2: Calculate minimum required floor area using Darcy’s Law for one-
dimensional flow.
Ainv = (12 inches per foot x WQV) / (kest x t)
WQV = 1,644 CF
kest = 1.50 inches per hour (given)
t = 48 hours (given)
Ainv = (12 inches per ft x 1,644 CF)/(1.50 inches per hour x 48 hour) = 274 SQFT
Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks
Infiltration Gallery Design Guide
6-2 June 2021
Design Example SECTION FIVE
Step 3: Size the TBMP storage based on the selected configuration:
Example calculations for an RCB and an open bottom arch culvert (Figure 6-2) are
shown below. Additional calculations may be required to design this TBMP. All
calculations must be prepared by a Structural Engineer for the modified RCB.
Coordination with OHSD or other appropriate office is required.
Configuration A: RCB
Standard RCB Dimensions:
Step A-1: Width of RCB:
274 SQFT/50 ft = 5.5 ft Caltrans Standard Plan D80, use 6 ft span
Step A-2: Height of RCB to contain WQV:
1,644 CF/(50 ft x 6 ft) = 5.48 ft Standard Plan D80, use 6 ft height
• Verify: 50 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft = 1,800 CF > 1,644 CF
Configuration B: Arch Culvert
Step B-1: In this step the minimum circular pipe diameter is calculated assuming the
pipe is limited to 50 ft (given), and assuming this is a circular or half-circle pipe. This
tells us minimum pipe diameter size given the required bottom area of 274 SQFT.
274 SQFT/50 ft = 5.5 ft or 66 inches
Step B-2: This step determines the cross-sectional area of the half-circle pipe that is
assumed to be filled completely with water. This tells us along with minimum pipe
diameter size in Step A-1 how many SQFT of water per FT of pipe it can hold.
0.5 x (π x (5.5 ft)2) = 11.9 SQFT
Step B-3: We complete the calculations by using the results of Step A-2 to
determine how many 50ft rows of 66 in pipe will be required to hold the whole WQV
of 1,644 CF.
1,644 CF/(11.9 SQFT x 50 ft) = 2.8 rows 3 rows
Detailed example structural calculations are not provided here because culvert
material and type can vary by project. Detailed calculations must be prepared by
a licensed professional and submitted for approval and design concurrence from
the appropriate Caltrans functional units.
Alternative Configuration: Modified RCB
The site is suitable for infiltration, so a potential configuration is to modify the RCB to
be open bottom. A licensed professional must submit project-specific calculations
for approval or design concurrence from the appropriate Caltrans functional units.
As this configuration is similar to a bridge, when used, the TBMP must be designed
by an engineer experienced in structural design. The California Amendments to
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications must be considered during design.
Calculations include and are not limited to wall design, top slab design, and
footing design.
References
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 2011.
Roadside Design Guide, 4th Edition; with errata published in July 2015
Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA), 2016a. Biotreatment
Soil Media and Specification: Current Research on Trees and Water Quality Treatment,
Literature Review, September 14, 2016.
Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA), 2016b. Bioretention
Design for Tree Health: Literature Review. September 15, 2016.
California Stormwater Quality Associations (CASQA), May 2017, Removing Barriers to Low
Impact Development (LID), Bioretention Details and Standards Review.
California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA), 2003. Stormwater Best Management
Practice Handbook, New Development and Redevelopment, January 2003
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2021. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Design Pollution Prevention Infiltration Area (DPPIA) Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020a. Highway Design Manual 6th
Edition, March 2020
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020b. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Infiltration Basins Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020c. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Biofiltration Strips Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020d. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Biofiltration Swales Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020e. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Supplemental Details Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2020f. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Vault Flow Splitters Design Guidance
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2019a. Stormwater Quality Handbooks:
Project Planning and Design Guide (PPDG), April 2019
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2019b. Statewide Trash Implementation
Plan, April 2019
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2019c. Construction Contract
Development Guide, Version 5.0, July 2019
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2019d. Review of Design Guidance for
Sizing Media Filters for Stormwater Quality Treatment, CTSW-TM-16-314.17.1, January 24,
2017 (Revised November 2019)
Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks
Infiltration Gallery Design Guide
June 2021 7-1
SECTION SEVEN References