DRAINING ROADS, BRIDGES & MOTORWAYS
Motorways, bridges, roads and roundabouts are highly complex structures that must withstand modern traffic and provide maximum safety. The issue of rainwater drainage plays an important role here, for example to avoid aquaplaning or to ensure a good view of the road. Drainage systems are exposed to high loads in road traffic and for this reason must meet requirements that are less relevant in other applications. MEA offers highly specialized drainage solutions for road and motorway construction in order to offer maximum design freedom with maximum performance both during the construction phase as when in operation.
DRAINAGE CHANNELS IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION
The drainage of roads, highways, and bridges is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of infrastructure and ensuring the safety of vehicles and pedestrians. Poor drainage can lead to surface water accumulation, hydroplaning, and ice formation, as well as long-term damage to road surfaces. Proper drainage systems must be implemented in compliance with regulations and standards that govern these infrastructures.
Drainage Requirements for Roads, Highways, and Bridges
Roads and highways deal with high-speed traffic, heavy loads, and significant surface water during rainfall, while bridges present unique challenges due to their elevated and often exposed locations. Effective drainage solutions are critical for both water management and the protection of road and bridge structures.
Regulations and Standards
- Local and National Road Regulations
- Local road authorities and national transportation departments typically have regulations governing the design and installation of drainage systems to ensure public safety and long-term road maintenance.
- For example, in Europe, national codes are based on EU directives that dictate water management, including runoff reduction and road safety measures.
- EN 1433 Standard (Europe)
- This standard is crucial for linear drainage systems, including load classes and hydraulic performance. The regulation ensures that drainage channels can withstand the weight and pressure from traffic, particularly on roads and highways where heavy trucks are common.
- AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Guidelines
- In the U.S., AASHTO provides guidelines on highway drainage design, ensuring that systems are able to handle large volumes of water, prevent hydroplaning, and protect the structural integrity of roads and bridges.
- Bridge Drainage Standards
- Specific standards apply to the drainage of bridges, where water must be efficiently evacuated to prevent standing water, reduce the risk of ice formation, and protect the underlying structure from water damage.
- Stormwater Management Guidelines
- These encourage the use of permeable materials and efficient water management to prevent runoff from overwhelming drainage systems. Urban areas with highways and bridges often fall under specific regulations requiring sustainable solutions to handle stormwater.
Best Practices for Draining Large Sealed Surfaces
- Efficient Linear Drainage Systems
- Linear drainage systems are essential for large sealed surfaces, such as highways and bridges, to prevent water from pooling and creating dangerous driving conditions. Water should be directed away from traffic lanes and off the road or bridge surface as quickly as possible.
- Load-Bearing Capacity
- Drainage channels used in these areas must meet high load-bearing requirements, especially in highways and bridges where heavy trucks and fast-moving vehicles apply substantial stress on the drainage infrastructure. Systems must be able to handle both dynamic and static loads.
- Water Treatment and Filtration
- In environmentally sensitive areas or where roads pass through urban zones, water runoff may need to be treated or filtered to remove pollutants, oils, or debris before being released into public water systems.
- Bridge Drainage
- Bridge drainage systems must be designed to handle water efficiently while also considering the expansion and contraction of materials due to temperature changes. Proper systems prevent water from infiltrating and damaging the structural elements of the bridge.
MEA Drainage Solutions for Roads, Highways, and Bridges
MEA provides a comprehensive range of drainage solutions to manage the challenges of draining roads, highways, and bridges. Their systems are built to withstand high loads, manage large volumes of water, and meet the requirements of both national and international standards.
- MEADRAIN EN/ENS
- These robust drainage channels are designed for high-load applications, making them ideal for Parking and service areas along highways, in gaz stations or when installed along roads. With a load capacity up to Class F900, MEADRAIN EN/ENS are built to handle the heaviest traffic conditions, including trucks and buses. It efficiently removes water from large, sealed surfaces, preventing hazardous pooling on roadways.
- MEADRAIN DM
- MEADRAIN DM is designed for use in areas that experience particularly high mechanical loads. It provides a heavy-duty drainage solution for busy highways and large roads, where large volumes of water need to be rapidly drained to maintain road safety.
- MEACRET LINE
- This system is well-suited for use in areas requiring efficient drainage with a focus on durability and ease of maintenance. MEACRET LINE channels are built to handle demanding environments and are ideal for road and highway applications.
- MEARIN EXPERT and MEARIN PLUS
- MEARIN channels, made from SMC (Sheet Molding Compound), offer high chemical resistance and are lightweight, making them easy to install on service areas, parking places or along the roads.
- MEADRAIN S
- This system is suitable for a wide range of applications, offering high performance in terms of load-bearing capacity and water conveyance. It is commonly used along roads, for parking and service areas
- MEAKERB and MEAKERB BRIDGE
- MEAKERB provides an innovative solution by integrating drainage with the road kerb. This product is particularly useful in urban road settings, where space is limited, and aesthetic considerations are important. MEAKERB BRIDGE is specifically designed for bridge applications, ensuring that water is efficiently drained while also protecting the bridge structure from water damage. These systems are particularly beneficial in areas where water needs to be managed at both the surface and structural level.
- MEASTORM
- MEASTORM is the ideal system for handling large amounts of surface water, especially during heavy rainfall. It is built to handle extreme water volumes, making it perfect for highways, roads, and bridges where stormwater runoff can be substantial. This system helps prevent flooding and water damage by ensuring rapid water removal from the surface.
Bridge-Specific Solutions
- MEAKERB BRIDGE are especially relevant for bridges, where space is limited, and water needs to be rapidly evacuated to prevent damage to the structural components. These systems ensure that water is drained away from critical structural elements while meeting the challenges of high-load environments.