Permeable pavement is known by a few other names, including pervious pavement and porous concrete. It is a specific type of pavement material that retains high porosity values, which allows rainwater and other liquids to pass through the pavement and into the underlying ground soil. This process mimics natural ground soil saturation, reducing runoff and returning water back to underground aquifers. But these are not the only good qualities of permeable pavement; it also traps suspended solids and pollutants, and blocks them from entering the water stream.
Pervious Pavement Applications
In order for permeable pavement to deliver the advantages it’s known for, it must be installed properly and used in the proper applications. Pervious pavement does not share the same strength as concrete, so it is not strong enough to handle certain conditions. For this reason, it is not recommended for highways, interstates, high-volume streets, heavy loading areas, and even potential spill sites.
Common applications for permeable pavement include:
• Sidewalks
• Driveways
• Residential Roadways
• Parking Lots
• Low Water Bridges
• Pool Decks
• Patios
• Well Linings
• And Any Other Low-Volume Surfaces
Brief History
Pervious concrete was originally introduced to the paving industry in Europe, in the early 1800’s. Europe frequently used permeable pavements for pavement resurfacing, load-bearing walls, and infill panels. But when World War II drastically reduced the availability of cement, pervious pavement made a come-back, and was a popular alternative once again. Modern uses of permeable pavement began in the 1960’s, including flood prevention and raised water basins.
Types of Permeable Pavement:
• Porous Asphalt
• Plastic Grids
• Porous Turf
• Single-Sized Aggregate
• Interlocking Concrete Pavers
• Resin-Bound
• Bound Recycled Glass
• Clay Brick