Advocating a physically-based hydrological model for green roofs: Evapotranspiration during the drying cycle Simon Poë, Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd, (poes@alumasc‐exteriors.co.uk), U.K. Dr. Virginia Stovin, University of Sheffield (Civil & Structural Engineering), (v.stovin@sheffield.ac.uk), U.K.
Abstract Green roofs temporarily store rainwater during infiltration, resulting in delayed and attenuated runoff (detention). They also retain rainfall, which is subsequently released via evapotranspiration (ET) (retention). However, as with many infiltration‐based sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS), modelling the hydrological performance of green roofs is complicated by the dependence upon both configuration and climatic factors. A green roof’s finite hydrological capacity ‐ a function of substrates’ structure and texture and plant architecture and physiology ‐ is seldom fully available at the outset of a storm event. ET regenerates the available water capacity (AWC), affecting the roof’s response to a specific event. This paper presents data from an experimental study at the University of Sheffield, aimed at identifying the drying cycle behaviour of nine different green roof configurations (with combinations of three characterised substrates and three contrasting planting strategies) under different climatic conditions. After saturation and drainage to field capacity, the mass of each microcosm was continuously recorded within a controlled environment facility, where relative humidity, air temperature and lighting were programmed to replicate typical UK diurnal cycles during spring and, later, summer. Initial analyses highlight the effect of both climate and configuration. As expected, in summer test conditions, higher ET losses were observed, initially exceeding 3 mm/day before decaying below 0.5 mm/day over time. During spring condition tests, lower initial losses of between 1.5 and 2.5 mm/day later fell to below 1.0 mm/day. The response of each configuration varied with the climate, with high early evaporative losses from non‐vegetated configurations subsequently falling below planted configurations as transpiration of deeper water became a factor.
World Green Roof Congress, 19-20 September 2012, Copenhagen Page 1