A Laboratory-Scale Rainfall Simulation of the Surface Runoff Reduction Using Biopore Infiltration Holes

Fathurrahman; Iphan Fitrian Radam; Novitasari Novitasari; Rusdiansyah Rusdiansyah

doi:10.48084/etasr.16584

Authors

Fathurrahman Environmental Science Doctoral, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia | Civil Engineering Department, Islamic University of Kalimantan Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari, Banjarmasin, Indonesia
Iphan Fitrian Radam Civil Engineering Department, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia
Novitasari Novitasari Civil Engineering Department, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia
Rusdiansyah Rusdiansyah Civil Engineering Department, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 37132-37139 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.16584

Received: 29 November 2025 | Revised: 19 December 2025 and 8 January 2026 | Accepted: 9 January 2026 | Online: 6 June 2026

Corresponding author: Fathurrahman

Abstract

Rapid land-use changes and the reduction of green open spaces have substantially decreased rainwater infiltration capacity, resulting in increased surface runoff, elevated flood risk, and declining groundwater recharge. Biopore Infiltration Holes (BIHs) are a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly technique for enhancing soil infiltration by improving subsurface pore connectivity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of BIHs in reducing water surface runoff under controlled laboratory-scale conditions. A physical test model was developed using plastic containers (700 × 510 × 425 mm) filled with disturbed soil representing three land-cover conditions: open land (bare ground), semi-closed land (grass and weed vegetation), and closed land (tall tree vegetation). The semi-closed land cover was represented by grass plants, and the closed land cover by white rombusa plants. Rainfall was simulated using a calibrated rainfall simulator operating at 50% pump pressure, and infiltration performance was quantified based on outflow collected from BIHs. The results demonstrate that soil systems equipped with BIHs combined with perennial vegetation consistently exhibited the highest infiltration capacity and the lowest runoff volumes across all land-cover scenarios. These findings indicate that BIHs function as artificial macropores, while plant root systems form complementary natural macropores, resulting in synergistic improvement of soil hydraulic performance. This study highlights the potential contribution of integrating BIHs and vegetation as a laboratory-validated approach to support sustainable stormwater management strategies.

Keywords:

biopore infiltration holes, rainfall simulation, laboratory scale, infiltration

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