Technical Articles & Engineering Design

Applied research and field-tested solutions for Gulf Coast conditions.

Designing effective green infrastructure along the Texas Gulf Coast requires specialized knowledge of soil composition, rainfall intensity, detention criteria, and long-term maintenance performance. Generic design standards often fall short when applied to Harris County’s expansive clay soils and high-intensity storm events.

Our technical article database features contributions from local civil engineers, landscape architects, hydrologists, and soil scientists who understand the realities of designing in Southeast Texas.

These articles move beyond theory — providing formulas, modeling approaches, performance data, and constructability insights tailored to our region.

Soil Considerations & Amendments for Harris County Clays

Understanding shrink-swell behavior, infiltration limitations, and media blending strategies for Type D clay soils. Includes guidance on compost ratios, underdrain integration, and long-term permeability preservation.

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Calculating the Void Space of Open-Graded Aggregate Sub-bases

Engineering methods for determining effective storage volume in open-graded aggregates. Covers porosity assumptions, compaction impacts, and translating laboratory values into field performance estimates.

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Vegetation Selection for High-Inundation Bioretention Cells

Plant species selection for extended ponding conditions, heat tolerance, and fluctuating moisture levels common during Gulf Coast storm cycles. Includes native species performance comparisons.

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Transitioning from Gray to Green: Hybrid Infrastructure Designs

Integrating traditional detention systems with distributed green infrastructure. Covers routing strategies, phased retrofits, and cost-performance comparisons between conventional and hybrid systems.

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