Citation :

Shely Roxana Figueroa Mercado, Jesús Eugenio Depaz Huertas, Meza Terbullino Giancarlo Fernando, Jean Fernando Perez Montesinos, "Design of a Portable Rainwater Catchment Device for Sustainable Water Supply at Construction Sites," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 250-259, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I5P116

Abstract

This study addresses the critical lack of sustainable water management solutions during the early stages of construction projects, where traditional rainwater harvesting systems are unfeasible due to the absence of permanent roofing. This study proposes and numerically validates a novel modular catchment device designed specifically for itinerant construction sites. The system features a self-contained aluminum catchment surface integrated with a tubular support frame, enabling immediate water collection for on-site applications such as concrete curing and dust control. Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the research evaluates the mechanical integrity of the proposed Aluminum 6061-T6 structure under critical loading conditions, including hydrostatic pressure and wind loads. The simulation results demonstrate exceptional structural performance, characterized by a high safety factor and minimal deformation, confirming the system's rigidity and durability in dynamic environments. By decoupling rainwater harvesting from permanent architecture, this design offers a portable, structurally validated alternative to single-use water trucking. The findings establish a new technological framework for decentralized water supply in civil engineering, significantly contributing to the reduction of the industry's water footprint and promoting circular economy practices in temporary infrastructure.

Keywords

Construction Sustainability, Finite Element Analysis, Portable Infrastructure, Rainwater Harvesting, Temporary Water Storage.

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