Plastic Storm Chamber Performance 1

[DavidBeck]

I am researching the use of plastic storm chambers used to retain stormwater underground and recharge groundwater. These are relatively new compared to tradional corrugated metal pipe systems and represent a different design approach by combining the voids in the surrounding aggregate backfill/soil and the space within the chamber for temporary water storage. I will appreciate any and all comments from anyone having knowledge or experience with these and how well they perform. I am concerned about migrating soil particles filling the voids in the stone envelope and whether or not these chambers, with no physical restraint across on the bottom to prevent the almost-vertical sides from spreading due to earth loads.

 

[LHA]

The aggregate must be clean stone, and must be wrapped in Geotextile.

I am confused as to how the earth load would spread the chambers...there is stone around the outsides, sides and top. Wouldn't the load distribute evenly? The chambers are ribbed for structural support, I'm sure the manu. literature details the loading.

Unless space is a limitation and property values are very high, I've always found just using the old perforated pipe w/ capped ends to be much more affordable. Therfore, I've never spec'd any yet.