TM 5-820-3/AFM 88-5, Chap. 3
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
the design of all drainage structures must be em-
1-1. Purpose.
phasized. Care should be given to both preliminary
This manual discusses water disposal methods
field surveys which establish control elevations and
which ensure the safe and efficient operation of
to construction of the various hydraulic structures
airport and heliport facilities, to describe an effi-
in strict accordance with proper and approved
cient drainage system, and to detail problems that
design procedures. A successful drainage system
can be caused by inadequate drainage systems.
can only be obtained by the coordination of both
the field and design engineers.
1-2. Scope.
b. Fuel spillage will not be collected in storm or
This manual provides design criteria for common
sanitary sewers. Fuel spillage may be safely dis-
drainage and erosion-control structures for air-
posed of by providing ponded areas for drainage so
fields and heliports, cover requirements for several
that any fuel spilled can be removed from the water
types of pipe for varying wheel loads, and protec-
surface. Bulk-fuel-storage areas will not be
tion of storm drains against freezing conditions in
considered as built-over areas. Curbs, gutters, and
seasonal frost areas.
storm drains will not be provided for drainage
around tank-car or tank-truck unloading areas,
tank-truck loading stands, and tanks in bulk-fuel-
1-3. References.
storage areas.
Appendix A contains a list of references used in this
c. Waste water from cleaning floors, machines,
document.
and airplanes is also prohibited from entering storm
or sanitary sewers directly. Treatment facilities,
traps, or holding facilities will be provided as
1-4. Problem areas.
appropriate.
a. The problem areas include culverts, under-
ground storm drainage systems, scour, riprap re-
quirements at culvert and storm drain outlets,
1-6. Outfall considerations.
outlet energy dissipators, natural and artificial open
In some localities the upstream property owner
channels, and drop structures.
may artificially drain his property onto the down-
b. Problems in the design of drainage and ero-
stream properties without liability for damages
sion-control structures for airfields and heliports
from the discharge of water, whereas in other areas
result from failure to follow a long-range master
he may be liable for damage caused by such
development plan, inadequate basic data, and limi-
drainage. Local law and practices should be re-
tation in time or funding. Problems in construction
viewed prior to the design of a drainage system,
and operation result from poor inspection and
and the advice of the Division real estate office
construction procedures, and lack of periodic in-
should be obtained.
spections and follow-up maintenance. There is also
the misconception that drainage is considered to be
1-7. Drainage law.
the least important factor affecting the performance
of an installation.
a. There are two basic rules of law applied in
c. Adequate initial drainage facilities provide
drainage problems, Roman civil law and common-
satisfactory performance with little maintenance
enemy rule.
and good long run economy, while faulty installa-
b. A number of states follow Roman civil law
tions will require extensive repairs, replacements or
which specifies that the owners of high land are
other remedies.
entitled to discharge their drainage water onto
lower land through natural depressions and chan-
nels without obstruction by the lower owner. The
1-5. Design.
elevation of land gives the owners of high land an
a. Improper design and careless construction of
advantage allowing them to accelerate the flow of
various drainage structures may render airfields and
surface water by constructing ditches or by im-
heliports ineffective and dangerous to the safe
proving natural channels on the property or by in-
operations of military aircraft. Consequently, the
stalling tile drains. The owners of lower land, how-
necessity of applying basic hydraulic principles to
1-1
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