Normalization of drainage channels

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 108 views

Evaluation of the Capacity and Drainage System at the University of North Sumatra Campus with Hec-Ras: Prevent Flooding and Optimizing the Function of the Campus

Introduction

The University of North Sumatra (USU) campus in Medan, Indonesia, has experienced a significant flood incident on April 1, 2011, which stopped learning activities on campus and caused substantial losses. This inundation was caused by the inability of the campus drainage system to accommodate high rainwater discharge. This condition highlights the need for an evaluation of the capacity and drainage system on the USU campus to prevent flooding in the future and ensure the smooth functioning of the campus.

Background

The University of North Sumatra (USU) is a prominent institution of higher education in Indonesia, with a campus area of 143 hectares. The campus is located in Medan, a city with a tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The campus drainage system is designed to accommodate rainwater discharge and prevent flooding. However, the system has been inadequate in handling high rainwater discharge, leading to frequent flooding incidents.

Research Objectives

The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the capacity and drainage system on the USU campus using Hec-Ras 4.0 software. The aim is to obtain an overview of the optimal drainage system settings to reduce excess water, both from rain and seepage, so that the campus function is not disturbed. This study also aims to evaluate the effect of drainage on flood discharge by considering the area of campus land (143 ha) and rain characteristics based on rainfall data from BMKG (Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency).

Methodology

The primary data used in this study includes measurement of the drainage channel cross section and field review of the existing channel system on the USU campus. Meanwhile, secondary data includes USU campus drainage data, rainfall data from BMKG, land use data, and others. Periodic flood discharge is calculated using a rational method.

Hydrological and Hydraulic Analysis

The results of hydrological and hydraulic analysis by combining rational methods and Hec-Ras 4.0 showed the need for normalization in several drainage channels on the USU campus. Normalization of drainage channels aims to improve inadequate cross section of channels so that it can accommodate high rainwater discharge and prevent flooding.

Results and Discussion

The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the condition of the drainage system on the USU campus. The analysis showed that the existing drainage system is inadequate in handling high rainwater discharge, leading to frequent flooding incidents. The study recommends normalization of drainage channels to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the capacity and drainage system on the USU campus using Hec-Ras 4.0 software. The results of the study highlight the need for normalization of drainage channels to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge. By implementing the recommendations given, it is hoped that the USU campus can be free from standing water and function optimally as a center for education and research.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Normalization of drainage channels: Normalization of drainage channels is necessary to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge.
Improvement of drainage system design: The drainage system design should be improved to accommodate high rainwater discharge and prevent flooding.
Regular maintenance of drainage system: Regular maintenance of the drainage system is necessary to ensure its optimal functioning.
Public awareness and education: Public awareness and education on the importance of proper waste management and drainage system maintenance are necessary to prevent flooding incidents.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited data availability: The study was limited by the availability of data on rainfall, land use, and other factors that affect flood discharge.
Simplification of complex systems: The study simplified complex systems, such as the drainage system, to make them more manageable.
Assumptions made: The study made several assumptions, such as the uniformity of rainfall and the homogeneity of the drainage system.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Development of a more comprehensive model: A more comprehensive model that takes into account various factors that affect flood discharge should be developed.
Validation of the model: The model should be validated using real-world data to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
Implementation of the recommendations: The recommendations made in this study should be implemented to improve the drainage system on the USU campus.

References

BMKG (Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency). (2020). Rainfall data for Medan, Indonesia.
Hec-Ras 4.0 software. (2020). User manual.
USU (University of North Sumatra). (2020). Drainage system data for USU campus.

Appendices

Appendix A: Drainage channel cross section measurement

Appendix B: Field review of the existing channel system on the USU campus

Appendix C: Periodic flood discharge calculation using a rational method

Appendix D: Results of hydrological and hydraulic analysis

Appendix E: Recommendations for improvement of the drainage system on the USU campus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Evaluation of the Capacity and Drainage System at the University of North Sumatra Campus with Hec-Ras

Q: What is the purpose of the study?

A: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the capacity and drainage system on the University of North Sumatra (USU) campus using Hec-Ras 4.0 software to prevent flooding and optimize the function of the campus.

Q: What is Hec-Ras 4.0 software?

A: Hec-Ras 4.0 is a software used for hydrological and hydraulic analysis of rivers and streams. It is a powerful tool for simulating and analyzing flood events, and it is widely used in the field of hydrology and hydraulic engineering.

Q: What are the main findings of the study?

A: The main findings of the study are that the existing drainage system on the USU campus is inadequate in handling high rainwater discharge, leading to frequent flooding incidents. The study recommends normalization of drainage channels to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge.

Q: What are the recommendations made in the study?

A: The recommendations made in the study include:

Normalization of drainage channels: Normalization of drainage channels is necessary to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge.
Improvement of drainage system design: The drainage system design should be improved to accommodate high rainwater discharge and prevent flooding.
Regular maintenance of drainage system: Regular maintenance of the drainage system is necessary to ensure its optimal functioning.
Public awareness and education: Public awareness and education on the importance of proper waste management and drainage system maintenance are necessary to prevent flooding incidents.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Limited data availability: The study was limited by the availability of data on rainfall, land use, and other factors that affect flood discharge.
Simplification of complex systems: The study simplified complex systems, such as the drainage system, to make them more manageable.
Assumptions made: The study made several assumptions, such as the uniformity of rainfall and the homogeneity of the drainage system.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include:

Development of a more comprehensive model: A more comprehensive model that takes into account various factors that affect flood discharge should be developed.
Validation of the model: The model should be validated using real-world data to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
Implementation of the recommendations: The recommendations made in this study should be implemented to improve the drainage system on the USU campus.

Q: What are the implications of the study?

A: The study has several implications, including:

Improved drainage system design: The study recommends improvement of the drainage system design to accommodate high rainwater discharge and prevent flooding.
Regular maintenance of drainage system: Regular maintenance of the drainage system is necessary to ensure its optimal functioning.
Public awareness and education: Public awareness and education on the importance of proper waste management and drainage system maintenance are necessary to prevent flooding incidents.

Q: What are the benefits of the study?

A: The study has several benefits, including:

Prevention of flooding incidents: The study recommends normalization of drainage channels to improve their cross section and accommodate high rainwater discharge, which can prevent flooding incidents.
Optimization of campus function: The study recommends improvement of the drainage system design to accommodate high rainwater discharge and prevent flooding, which can optimize the function of the campus.
Improved public awareness and education: The study recommends public awareness and education on the importance of proper waste management and drainage system maintenance, which can improve public awareness and education.

Q: What are the challenges of the study?

A: The study has several challenges, including:

Limited data availability: The study was limited by the availability of data on rainfall, land use, and other factors that affect flood discharge.
Simplification of complex systems: The study simplified complex systems, such as the drainage system, to make them more manageable.
Assumptions made: The study made several assumptions, such as the uniformity of rainfall and the homogeneity of the drainage system.

Q: What are the future directions of the study?

A: The future directions of the study include:

Development of a more comprehensive model: A more comprehensive model that takes into account various factors that affect flood discharge should be developed.
Validation of the model: The model should be validated using real-world data to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
Implementation of the recommendations: The recommendations made in this study should be implemented to improve the drainage system on the USU campus.