Concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Influenced by the Simulated Rainfall Event on Highway Embankment

Abstract

A model was constructed in compliance with the real conditions to study the behavior of total suspended solids (TSS) on the partially covered road side slopes. The study was performed in Perak, Malaysia where the average high rainfall intensity was found to be 52 mm/hr from the year 2005 to 2011. The results attained showed fluctuations in the TSS concentration observed from the partially covered soil surfaces that could have happened due to several reasons which are discussed in the paper. A sandy loam on a slope gradient of 30 ˚ was observed. Four plots were prepared namely, fully grass covered surface (plot A), bare soil surface (plot B), 50% of the grass covered surface (plot C), and 30% of the grass covered surface (plot D). The concentration of TSS was found to be very severe, attained from the bare soil surface (plot B). However, the maximum TSS values obtained from plot A, C, and D were found to be 22.29%, 45.62%, and 78.90% respectively of the maximum TSS value observed from the bare soil surface.