• Make an enquiry

Level 2

Description

This presentation will focus on biodiversity in the highway and the reasons for the decline of species in the UK, how construction, fragmentation and climate change have all played a role in the huge decline of species. We delve into some of the protective measures that have passed into legislation and future legislation like The Environment Bill, specifically Biodiversity Net Gains and how this will effect sites. We’ll look at Highways England's Environment and Biodiversity strategies over the course of RIS 2 with an optimistic outlook on what can be achieved.  

Moving on to look at some of the technical solutions to help prevent fatalities, fragmentation, increase genetic diversity and achieve biodiversity net gains on the road network. Finishing with a series of case studies, where ACO products have been used to protect the natural world and help it prosper.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the Factors affecting biodiversity and species decline  

• Learn Guidance and legislation that protects natural systems and biodiversity  

• Understand the principals of Biodiversity Net Gains  

• Learn about Highway England's Environmental and Biodiversity Strategy on the road network  

• Better understand solutions and technologies that can mitigate species decline in and around the highway  

• Learn how to protect animals from road traffic accidents and fatalities through design  

• Get best practice advice and learn from case studies 

• Make an enquiry

Level 3

Description

This presentation focuses on the future of surface water management, where climate change, urbanisation, population growth and water scarcity are the key drivers for change and underline the importance of SuDS.

We look at the desirable attributes of SuDS in the form of infiltration, evaporation and evapotranspiration and, why maintenance is a crucial factor to consider when implementing a SuDS feature.

For any design, there are three ideal solution attributes; economic construction, the concept of ‘resilience’ in design and sustainability. Delivering these attributes is a challenge that all designers face and will be vital to maintaining a competitive advantage as the industry evolves.

We consider managing runoff, using both soft and hard solutions to deliver an optimised scheme, taking advantage of site topography and features of the local environment.

As members and sponsors of the new CIRIA Suds manual (C753), we explore how to instigate design features that enable compliance with Government guidance while delivering value-added benefits to the client and community.

Learning outcomes

• Learn the history, evolution and drivers of SuDS

• Understand the fundamental principles of a SuDS design

• Where to access legislation and guidance in the field of SuDS design

• Understand the balance between economics, resilience and sustainability

• Learn about government standards for water quantity

• How The SuDS Manual (C753) designs for rate and volume control

• Learn about rate management and interception losses using surface storage and green SuDS

• Understand pollution levels and the important of molecule sizing

• How to design treatment trains using The SuDS Manual Mitigation Indices

• Make an enquiry

Level 1

Description

To help architects, designers and contractors meet legal requirements that now tightly control the way surface water is managed, ACO has created its unique ‘Surface Water Management Cycle’ – Collect, Clean, Hold, Release – the four core processes now required for the complete and sustainable management of surface water drainage with a balance of proprietary products and SuDS features.  

We focus on why we need surface water drainage; how to select an appropriate system from the perspective of design, materials, environmental impact, loading, aesthetics and the legislation used to ensure that the manufactured product is of the highest standard.

Looking at where it goes following its collection from the surface i.e. the natural environment or a combined sewer. How we treat this collected rainwater using oil, heavy metal separators and what level of treatment is required based on the SuDS mitigation Indices set out in The SuDS Manual (C753).

Volume and rate of runoff are a consequence of a changing climate. How we manage this volume using soft SuDS and underground storage in an economic way, creates resilience systems. Though, making sure the system is future proof in terms of inspection and maintenance is desirable and evaluated. The rate we release storm water into the environment and how flow controllers can assist in alleviating scour, wash out, bank erosion and cut down on excess storage on the site is the final subject.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the basic requirement for surface water management

• Learn how ACO approaches each element of Collect, Clean, Hold & Release

• Where to get access to applicable standards and guidance

• Understand load classes as per BS EN 1433 and the certification process

• The application of surface water management products in a variety of scenarios

• Understand the principals of separation devices

• Learn the basics of The SuDS Manuals (C753) Mitigation Indices and Connecting to SuDS features

• How to specify underground attenuation for loading and maintenance

• Understand how Controlling the flow rate can lower the need for attenuation

• Make an enquiry

Level 2

Description

In an age of construction, where margins are shrinking, uncertainty is increasing and a dispute is enough to send a company into liquidation, finding certainty and greater profitability from a project is of the utmost importance.

This presentation will look at the Surface Water Management System and how ACO conduct Value Engineering, or what we call the ‘Recognition of Opportunities’ within a scheme. Exploring a series of case studies where we have worked with various consultants and contractors to find value within a project, this presentation outlines the importance of early engagement with clients to find the most economical solution for any given scheme.   

For this presentation, ACO teamed up with cost consultant Gleeds to provide the cost before and after Value Engineering was carried out.

Learning outcomes

• Find out how early engagement and collaboration can deliver cost and time efficiencies

• Learn how to use channels to rationalise a site drainage layout

• Why considering site topography can save on proprietary products, materials, excavation and time on site

• Using structural calculations can rationalise geocellular storage and lower excavation, offsite transport and accelerate the site programme

• Using surface storage in line with The SuDS Manual guidance can eliminate underground storage

• Make an enquiry

Level 1

Description

Attenuation is a requirement for most construction sites across the UK. This is essential to deal with Volume Control set out in DEFRA’s Sustainable Drainage Systems - Non-statutory technical standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems and the Quantity Element of The SuDS Manual. Geocellular Storage Systems are a large part of this Attenuation capacity where space is often a premium.

The presentation takes you through all the features and capabilities of ACO StormBrixx, the ACO Geocellular storm water management system and its application across all construction environments,  as part of an integrated SuDS scheme. Looking at different testing methodologies and certification to enable the designer and installer to make an informed decision over the selection of a suitable Geocellular Storage structure.

Learning outcomes

• Why ACO’s principal led development process created high spec products

• Where to get access to applicable standards and guidance

• Learn both current and future testing standards and design guidance

• Where to get access to applicable standards and guidance

• Industry certification and information required by designers

• StormBrixx SD & HD product specifications and functions

• How to design for access and maintenance for the adoption of systems

• The important of logistics, storage. Transport and environmental savings

• Case studies to learn from best practice and varying interesting installations

• Make an enquiry

Level 1

Description

The ACO Quad Hydraulic design software is free, online and cloud based, enabling the quick and easier design and optimisation of channel drainage systems including the design of surface storage and the prediction of maintenance schedules. Other modules include the design of Geocellular storage volumes taking into consideration roof drainage and other contributing areas.

We look at different Wallingford storm profiles (FSR) and the free input capability for FEH rainfall data. Moving on to the effect of designing the channel with insufficient capacity and how to design surface storage in line with the SuDS manual for exceedance events. Looking at complex geometry, the use of additional catchment areas and point inflows along the channel run to generate a comprehensive design.

For maintenance a peer reviewed paper on The Source, impact and management of car park runoff pollution carried out by ACO in combination with Middlesex and Cranfield University provides the calculations to establish the length of time required between maintenance periods.

Finally, we finish by calculating the site storage requirements where the software automatically adds up all the contributing areas from the channel design and additional onsite areas can be added.  

Learning outcomes

• Learn how to use the ACO Quad hydraulic design software

• How to evaluate a design using a variety of different storm profiles

• Design surface ponding in line with SuDS for extreme events

• Model complex catchment areas  to suit site layout  

• Learn how to model complex channel layouts to create a network

• Design for maintenance of channel drainage systems

• Learn how to calculate attenuation volumes

• Create an output that can be used for approval

• Calculate the required excavation and concrete required for an installation

• Make an enquiry

Level 3

Description

ACO understands the importance of using FEA software such as MicroDrainage for complex, economic, sustainable and resilience SuDS schemes for approval and in some circumstances adoption. Channels in MicroDrainage are seldom models but can constitute a percentage of the attenuated volume and stop flooding in critical areas where the long linear pathway for water can provide much needed storage and conveyance.

In this presentation we use the ACO Quad Hydraulic Design Software too quickly and easily design and optimisation the channel drainage system based on the information extracted from MicroDrainage.

We briefly look at different storm profiles and the effect of designing the channel with insufficient capacity and how to design surface storage in line with the SuDS manual for exceedance events. Finally we look at the maintenance module.  

From the information computed, we use conduit files created by ACO to populate the MicroDrainage model, creating a cost effective, resilient design. We then look at Tank design and the use of a conduit generator instead of using tanks within MicroDrainage to ease the way we model multiple connections.   

The presentation is split into 2 case studies, the first one principally being channel and tank design and the second taking a brief look at surface ponding and attenuation.

Learning outcomes

• Learn how to use the ACO Quad design hydraulic design software

• How to evaluate a design using a variety of different storm profiles

• Model complex surface geometry to suit site geography

• Learn how to model complex channel layouts to create a network

• Design for maintenance of channel drainage systems

• How to use conduit files in MicroDrainage

• Use a spreadsheet to generate conduit data for geocelluar storage systems

• Create an output that can be used for approval

• Design surface ponding in line with SuDS for extreme events in MicroDrainage

• Make an enquiry

Level 2

Description

The UK Highway network is one of the best in the world, it is also one of the oldest. We look at some of the issues associated with designing in the highway environment. How these issues influence other areas including pathways and crossing points and what is needed to meet requirements within the current Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).  

Highways affect every part of society and the codes of practice that need to be followed and adhered to are substantial. We delve into the standards and guidance that govern Surface Water Management and attached hard and soft landscaped areas, specifically SuDS. Simplifying and extracting only the pertinent information for the designer.

We cover the four pillars of SuDS throughout and provide a detailed section for Wildlife and Biodiversity where ACO provides a range of solutions to protect and support the migration of species across our busy network.

We also consider the importance of planned maintenance for highway drainage systems and how this can be designed for even at the preliminary stages of a scheme.

Case studies are used to demonstrate how a variety of products comply with current standards and guidance to overcome numerous problems encountered in Urban and Rural highway schemes including conveyance, SuDS, Geocellular storage systems and flow controller.

Learning outcomes

• Understanding the issues associated with surface water on highways and the associated problems

• Where to get access to applicable standards and guidance

• Understanding load classes and where they are used in the highway

• The application of surface water management products in the highway

• How SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) fit within a highways context

• Understanding the design requirements for maintenance of surface water management systems

• How to integrate Wildlife and Biodiversity products to enhance a highway design

• Make an enquiry

Level 2

Description

The UK Rail industry goes back to the 18th Century and HS2, Crossrail and Crossrail 2 are transporting us into the future. The rail industry has a huge amount of infrastructure. Each of these areas come with a variety of restrictions and health and safety requirements for design.

In this presentation we look at the codes of practice used for the design of surface water management systems on Network rail and TfL’s networks. Providing in depth knowledge of the Surface Water Management solutions on offer and how the effect specific scenarios.

Finishing the presentation with a flurry of case studies and how ACO have worked on a variety of different projects covering the areas of; station buildings, platforms, maintenance sheds, light rail, parking and roads in line with the standards set out and how we implement SuDS within our designs.

Learning outcomes

• Learn about the history of the Rail industry and its prospective growth

• Understand Issues associated with surface water on Rail Infrastructure and the associated problems

• How to calculate channel drainage systems using the simple index approach

• Standards and guidance that effect the design, install, operation of surface water management systems

• The application of surface water management products

• SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) and how these fit within Rail Infrastructure

• The design requirements for maintenance of surface water management systems

• Case studies referring to different design scenarios; Station Buildings, platforms, Maintenance depots, light rail, station car parks and roads