LAUSR

Pervious concrete pavements (PCPs) are known for their interconnected pores that provide environmental benefits. The high latent capacity, infiltration rate, and skid resistant riding surface highlight the benefits of pervious concrete as pavement material. PCPs are one of the best storm water management practices, but its implementation is still scarce. In this study, novel pervious concrete paver blocks were manufactured as per factory-based procedure and were tested for their properties. The experimental matrix included the shape of paver block, gradation (G1 and G2), water-to-cement ratio (w/c) and cement-to-aggregate (c/a) ratio as variables. The G2 gradation depicted higher density (1,900–2,450 kg/m3) than G1 (1,700–2,350 kg/m3) for the same mix composition. The w/c and c/a should be limited to 0.30 and 0.25, respectively, to avoid drain down of cement paste to the bottom of blocks due to their reduced thickness, which may otherwise render the blocks impervious. The infiltration rate varied over a range of 0.49 to 1.60 mm/s, depicted a lower variation as a function of shape, but significant variation was observed with respect to c/a and w/c. The compressive strength of the paver blocks varied as a function of shape and c/a ratio, where a strength of at least 15 MPa was achieved. The clogging study indicated there was an initial sudden reduction in the infiltration rate followed by a reduced rate of reduction, leading to a terminal infiltration rate (10–15 % of initial infiltration rate). Overall, the study aimed at providing an alternative approach to implement PCP in the form of interlocking blocks, which can be easily constructed with minimum machinery support.