Case Studies | Theta Chi Fraternity House
Theta Chi Fraternity House
CASE STUDY
Theta Chi Fraternity House – Greenville, North Carolina – Using a PIPE-R™ Reservoir System to Increase Usable Land and Manage Stormwater Runoff
Download PDF
Introduction 
Theta Chi built a new facility in Greenville, North Carolina adjacent to East Carolina University. The project included a building for student housing, one for social activities and an oversized parking lot to accommodate resident and visitor parking. The property was not large enough to accommodate a traditional stormwater pond along with the buildings, amenities and parking required. Theta Chi was looking for a cost-effective way to meet the City’s stormwater requirements while maximizing their useable land. Stroud Engineering contacted HydroVault Systems (HVS), a stormwater company based in Asheville, North Carolina, about an underground water storage system called the PIPE-R™ Reservoir System.
PIPE-R™ is an underground retention system that replaces traditional above ground retention systems. Since PIPE-R™ is a modular system, it has 95% void space allowing it to fit into areas where other systems will not. The patented system requires approximately 60% less stone than other systems. The stone savings results in lower costs and faster installation. The PIPE-R™ Reservoir System may be installed under anything non-structural such as parking lots, drive throughs, landscaped areas, and playing fields.
Project Description 
To maximize land use, Theta Chi installed a PIPE-R™ Reservoir System under a landscaped area located at the back of the property. The PIPE-R™ system provided a storage volume of approximately 10,000 cubic feet. Stormwater runoff enters the PIPE-R™ system through a series of inlet structures located throughout the property and downspouts from the building directly connected to the system. Stroud Engineering worked with the engineers from Environmental Conservation Solutions, LLC (ECS) to design a comprehensive system which allowed for the use of existing stormwater infrastructure on the property. ECS is the patent holder of the PIPE-R™ Reservoir System with engineers on staff to support client engineers during the design process. A Suntree Technologies’ Grate Inlet Skimmer Basket (GISB) was used as pre-treatment to the PIPE-R™ system to remove sediments, trash, organic debris, and floatables from the stormwater entering the PIPE-R™ system.
Construction 
Construction started in the spring of 2017. After excavation was complete, the system took only two days to install. Installation included placing the PIPE-R™ cubes in the excavated area, wrapping the PIPE-R™ cubes with a non-woven geotextile fabric, installing a series of eight-inch pipes to connect the PIPE-R™ chambers, and covering
the system in preparation for landscaping. The installing contractor used four laborers and two backhoes for construction.
Project Challenges 
The project site had two major challenges: space limitations and space capacity.
First, the available space for an underground system was extremely limited. The engineer could not install the system under the parking lot and roadway because the utilities and stormwater conveyance were already there. A small landscaped area was available for the system and the engineer needed a system that could fit into the footprint. The engineer chose the PIPE-R™ Reservoir System due to the flexible installation options, as the height of the system can vary from 8.625 to 86 inches tall. The engineer designed a PIPE-R™ system that was 69 inches tall.
The second major challenge was installing the system in such a small space. The design required an excavation of approximately fifteen feet deep.
This prevented the contractor from using traditional construction equipment in the excavated hole and a ladder was required for labor access. The PIPE-R™ System’s modular design allowed the installing contractor to lower each cube into place with a backhoe using straps connected to each cube. The largest PIPE-R™ cube only weighed three hundred and fifty pounds. Competitive systems would have taken significantly longer to install given the small space and lack of access with standard construction equipment.
Images 
Project Results 
The flexible design options and ease of installation of the PIPE-R™ Reservoir System made this project possible. Theta Chi opened the facility in the Fall of 2018. The residents and visitors to the facility use the landscaped area to enjoy outdoor activities.
PROJECT FAST FACTS
WHY
Maximize Usable Land in an Urban Area for Buildings and Parking
WHEN
Construction was completed in June 2017
WHAT
PIPE-R™ Reservoir System with a storage volume of 10,000 cubic feet in Greenville, North Carolina.