Effect of mineral admixtures and fibres on the properties of pervious concrete

Abstract

Pavement systems are mainly classified under two systems namely flexible pavements and rigid pavements. Compared with flexible pavements, rigid pavements are characterised by higher strength and durability properties and hence were designed for longer life span. Though rigid pavements finds application for heavy traffic loads, the cost of its construction is relatively higher. IRC 44 - 2008 recommended a minimum grade of M30 and M40 concrete for rigid pavement applications in rural roads and normal pavements respectively. Moreover, the rigid pavements or the conventional concrete pavements acts as a barrier against the permeation of storm water into the subsequent pavement layers. In order to overcome this ill-effect, pervious concrete pavement systems are being researched and applied for certain pavement applications such as low volume-low intensity roads, parking pavements, residential roads, etc. Pervious concrete structure is primarily prepared with the aid of cement, water and coarse aggregates and partial or complete elimination of fine aggregates. This absence of fine aggregates creates pores in the structure of pervious concrete and hence it promotes the drainage of water into the sub layers of the pavement system. This promotes the efficiency of existing water management systems and avoids special provisions for drainage systems in urban roads. However, pervious pavements are characterised by lower strengths compared with the conventional rigid pavement systems due to the partial or complete absence of fine aggregates and presence of permeable pores in its structure. newline