Elements of Permeable Concrete
Permeable concrete is made up of a variety of elements. These elements generally include cement, water, and a combination of course aggregate material. Aggregates are essentially a combination of crumbled rock and gravel, such as granite, limestone, sandstone, and slag. And as for permeable concrete, course aggregates mostly include sand, gravel, crushed stone, and reclaimed concrete.
Types of Pervious Concrete
Single-Sized Aggregate – Also known as “loose gravel”, single-sized aggregate does not contain a binder, hence the moniker. It is best used for low-speed applications, such as driveways, sidewalks, and walking paths.
Porous Turf – On the subject of grass, porous turf is commonly used for commercial properties that require occasional parking. This includes churches, stadiums, fairgrounds, and more.
Porous Asphalt – For the purpose of removing excess water, porous asphalt is generally applied for highway and interstate paving purposes.
Permeable Interlocking Pavers – Permeable interlocking concrete pavers are individual units that are laid out in an interlocking grid pattern for spaces that are filled with grass or stone. They are commonly used in public or municipal spaces because of its architectural, upscale appeal, but also as driveway upgrades, patios, terraces, and more.
Plastic Grids – Plastic grids are 100% porous. Because of current LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project requirements, they are becoming more and more popular every year. Plastic grids are best used for reinforce applications for driveways, parking lots, and fire lanes; but they can also be planted with grass.
Permeable Clay Brick Pavers – These are essentially the same as interlocking pavers, except they are made of fired clay.
Bound Recycled Glass – Bound recycled glass porous pavement is simply a combination of recycled glass materials, resins, and binding agents. It is generally a colorful pavement, and highly admired for its and environmental preservation benefits. It is also generally difficult to find, since very few vendors manufacture this type of porous pavement.
Resin-Bound Pavement – Resin bound pavement is a mixture of transparent resins and course aggregates. It is best used for pedestrian and vehicular applications such as driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots.