Gutter design and selection for roof rainwater catchment systems

Jillian Zankowski, Yixin Sun, Chiyan Poon, Emily Passauer, Abdalla Nassar, Khanjan Mehta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Water, while being critical for the survival of all of humanity, is not readily available to everyone. Within much of the developing world, water delivery systems are sub-par, leaving many homes without accessible and sustainable water resources. To address this issue, the use of rainwater harvesting systems is common. However, many extant systems are flawed in design, efficiency or sustainability. This paper investigates the impact of gutter cross-section on the performance and efficiency of rain water harvesting from roof catchments. Multiple gutter systems, with varying cross-sectional profiles, including a novel wrap-gutter design, were built and tested experimentally using a rainwater simulator. Experimental data, together with theoretical analyses, were used to rate gutter performance in terms of water lost though overflow, rate of water drainage, amount of standing water remaining in the gutter, amount of water loss via overshoot and the total amount of rain caught by the gutters. It was found that a wrap design, not normally highlighted in the literature, had the most consistent performance, regardless of rainfall intensity. Analyses regarding context-appropriate designs along with broader economic impacts of RWH systems are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 3rd IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2013
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages226-231
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781479924028
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event3rd IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2013 - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Oct 20 2013Oct 23 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 3rd IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2013

Other

Other3rd IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period10/20/1310/23/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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