Abstract

In the last few decades,pervious concrete has found heaps of application in reducing flooding risk,groundwater recharge and is an important sustainable drainage system in various parts of the world[1,2].

Studies on pervious concrete show that void percent is an important factor for the mechanical and durabil_ity properties of pervious concrete[1,3-5].Porosity is primarily considered as the basis of mix proportion of pervious concrete[5].As a common practice trial and error is used for mix proportion of pervious concrete[1].Many alternate approaches have been suggested for mix proportion of pervious concrete[3,4,6];however,they have been suggested for concrete prepared under similar conditions.While by simply varying compaction effort pore volume was found to be different for same mix proportion[4];and this can lead to variation in expected results.In this study an alternate design approach has been suggested for mix proportion of pervious concrete.

Within the study different mix proportions have been prepared for pervious concrete and cast to de-sired degree of porosity by controlling compaction ef forts.Fresh test for the same are suggested in the study for experimentally verifying the casting;this enables modification or correction in fresh state only without multiple trials.

Porosity of pervious concrete,through theoretical calculations and fresh state tests shows comparable results as compared to experimental observations in hardened state;justifying the use of new design approach(Figure 1)for the field application of pervious concrete.

Figure 1　Flow chart of the proposed design approach for pervious concrete

Results of the study indicate a better control over proportion of pervious concrete and can be used for preparing data sets or suitable standards.