Porous Concrete is a special type of concrete, which has high porosity to allow water through it thereby reducing the runoff from the site and recharging groundwater levels. It is also called pervious concrete, no fines concrete and permeable concrete. In addition, the high porosity is attained by a highly interconnected void content i.e. porous content. Porous Concrete materials and product, cysts of cement course aggregate and water with little to no fine aggregates.

Moreover, compared to conventional concrete mixtures, the high porosity reduces strength. However, the strength can be increased by adding the required fine aggregates. The mixture usually prefers a water-cement ratio of 0.28 to 0.40 with the void content of 15 to 25% z. The average flow rates for water through pervious concrete are typically around 0.34 centimeters per second.

How Porous Concrete works?

Porous concrete materials and product is a system uniquely designed to manage your storm water on-site. The system allows water received from rainfall and other resources to pass through reducing the overflow along with allowing groundwater recharging. Porous concert materials and product is an ecologically engineered system where each part services a specific role in reducing excessive runoff and eliminating sediment build up. In the process, aerobic bacteria in the voids help to break down harmful chemicals. This happens when the water percolates through the open cells of the pavement.

What are the Characteristics of Porous Concrete?

• It comes with a flow rate flowing in one side and out the other side of 480 inches / hr sq. ft, which is equal to (3-8 gallons/min)
• The overall strength is anywhere from 500 to 4000 psi depending upon the material used in the given mix.
• The water contents ranging from 0.27-0.3, which is significantly lower than a traditional concrete, which would have water content from o.4-0.6.
• Small slumps and oftentimes, the slump isn’t even measured when doing filed testing because it doesn’t give an accurate depiction of any property corresponding to the previous mix.
• It has rapid set times.
• Has a faster drying shrinkage.

Applications of Porous Concrete

Porous concrete materials and product are traditionally used in parking areas such as an area with light traffic, pedestrian walkways, and greenhouse construction. It is an important method for sustainable construction. Moreover, this technique is used widely for the construction of pavements for preserving storm water runoff.

Here is the list of applications of porous concrete in various fields.

• Tennis courts
• Sub-base for conventional concrete pavements
• Patios
• Tree grates in sidewalks
• Foundations/floors for greenhouses
• Fish hatcheries, aquatic amusement centers, and zoos floors
• Hydraulic structures
• Low-volume pavements
• Previous walk
• Low water crossings
• Residential roads, alleys, and driveways
• Sidewalks and pathways
• Parking areas
• Swimming pool decks
• Walls (including load-bearing)
• Pavement edge drains
• Groins and seawalls
• Noise barriers

Benefits of Porous Concrete

Since Porous Concrete Materials and product is an ideal material to turn any project into a low impact development, it offers a number of benefits such as environmental, economic and development benefits.

Below is the list of benefits that porous concrete materials and products offer:

Development Benefits

• Storm water catch basins structures

Environmental Benefits

• Provides a higher albedo surface reflectivity index
• Reduces untreated storm water and creates zero runoff
• Protects streams, watersheds, and ecosystems
• Reduces surface temperatures and heat island effects
• Directly recharges groundwater
• Reduces the need for expensive collection and detention systems

Financial Benefits

• Reclaims cost otherwise consumed by vaults and ponds
• Removes time-consuming and costly storm water detention piping systems
• Lower the cost of curb and gutter installations

In a nutshell, with so many applications and benefits, Porous Concrete is perhaps the most versatile construction material possible. It can be used for various purposes and is a great material for construction aimed towards sustainable development.

The post Benefits of Using Porous Concrete Materials and Product appeared first on Blog | HireField.