Citation :

Johnny Ong King Ngu, Hushairi bin Zen, Darrien Yau Seng Mah, Frederik Josep Putuhena, "Comparative Performance Evaluation of Home-Based On-Site Stormwater Detention Systems across Different Terrace Housing Types using SWMM Simulation," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 166-175, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I4P113

Abstract

Urban flooding remains a persistent challenge in tropical regions, primarily driven by rapid urbanization and the expansion of impervious surfaces that restrict natural infiltration. To address this, decentralized stormwater management practices such as home-based on-site detention systems have been adopted to reduce surface runoff at the property scale. This study compares the performance of a modular on-site detention system, the StormPav system, modelled beneath six common terrace housing types in Malaysia, namely double-storey corner, double-storey intermediate, single-storey corner, single-storey intermediate, semi-detached, and bungalow units. Using the Storm Water Management Model, 72 simulation scenarios were developed to evaluate the influence of housing typology, contributing catchment ratio, and storm duration on peak discharge reduction. Design storms of 5, 10, and 15 minutes corresponding to an intensity of 10-year Average Recurrence Interval were simulated. The results show that the StormPav system effectively mitigates peak discharge for all housing types, with significant improvements when the contributing catchment ratio exceeds 50%. Among the configurations tested, the double-storey corner unit demonstrated the highest detention efficiency, achieving a 30–35% reduction in post-development peak discharge compared with pre-development conditions. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic evaluation of a modular on-site detention system across diverse terrace typologies using the stated public-domain software, providing comparative insights into decentralized stormwater performance that can inform urban flood mitigation strategies in tropical environments. The findings highlight the potential of decentralized on-site detention systems to enhance flood resilience in tropical terrace developments.

Keywords

Catchment ratio, OSD, Stormwater management, Sustainable development, Urban runoff.

References

1. C.H.J. Bong et al., “Detention Properties of Subsurface Stormwater Modules Under Tropical Climate,” International Journal of Integrated Engineering, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 72-78, 2023.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
2. Pedro de Paula Drumond, Priscilla Macedo Moura, and Márcia Maria Lara Pinto Coelho, “Improving the Understanding of On-Site Stormwater Detention Performances,” Urban Water Journal, vol. 20, no. 10, pp. 1271-1289, 2023.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
3. Mirelle Lopes Dias et al., “Evaluating the Performance of On-Site Stormwater Detention based on the Technical Guidelines for Developing Stormwater Projects in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil),” RBRH, vol. 30, pp. 1-16, 2025.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
4. Norazlina Bateni et al., “Environmental Performance of the StormPav Permeable Pavement using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM),” International Journal of Integrated Engineering, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 52-63, 2023.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
5. Raincycle, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://raincycle.com.au/what-do-osd-tanks-look-like/
6. Senior Resources Group, OSD on Site Detention, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.srgroup.com.my/showproducts/productid/3653212/osd-on-site-detention/
7. Ausdrain, Onsite Detention Tanks, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://ausdrain.com/onsite-detention/
8. Atlan Stormwater, Atlan Stormwater Detention Tanks, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://atlanstormwater.com/au/stormwater-detention/
9. SVC Civil, Stormwater Detention Systems, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://svc.com.au/products/stormwater-detention-systems/
10. Thivanka Dharmasena et al., “Performance Assessment of a Constructed Wetland using a Numerical Modelling Approach,” Ecological Engineering, vol. 173, 2021.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
11. Azadeh Hosseinzadeh et al., “A New Multi‐Criteria Framework to Identify Optimal Detention Ponds in Urban Drainage Systems,” Journal of Flood Risk Management, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 1-19, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
12. Government of Malaysia Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Urban Stormwater Management Manual for Malaysia (MSMA), 2^nd ed., Putrajaya, Malaysia: Government of Malaysia, 2012.
    [Google Scholar]
13. Hossein Ahmadi et al., “Automated Calibration of SWMM for Improved Stormwater Model Development and Application,” Hydrology, vol. 12, no. 6, pp. 1-26, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]