engleski

Effects of Polymer Application in Pervious Concrete

Pervious/permeable/no-fines concrete is a material with the same basic components as standard concrete with the exception of being designed for high porosity. The typical properties of pervious concrete are good drainage, high noise absorption, ability to reduce urban heat islands, poor mechanical characteristics, low abrasion, and freeze–thaw resistance. The clogging phenomenon is an essential factor that must be taken into account when using and maintaining pervious concrete as it can reduce permeability significantly. In fact, because of its open structure, pervious concrete acts as a filter, retaining sediments, organic matter, chemicals, and other contaminants flushed through it during a precipitation event. This paper addresses the clogging problem of pervious concrete by using commercially available polymers and testing their influence on its mechanical properties. Five mixtures of pervious concrete, with and without polymers incorporated (polypropylene fibers, latex, and reactive impregnation), were prepared, and their properties in the hardened state (compressive and flexural strength) were compared. Draining capability was tested on pervious concrete slabs before and after their contamination in order to determine the influence of certain polymers on pore clogging. It was concluded that the addition of all types of studied polymers improved compressive strength when used separately but not when combined. As expected, compared to a reference mixture, polypropylene fibers slightly improved flexural strength, whereas reactive impregnation decreased it, and the use of latex did not result in any changes. In every case, the addition of the tested polymers improved the ratio of infiltration rates after and before clogging compared to the reference mixture, indicating that the use of polymers in pervious concrete could retard pore clogging.

pervious concrete, mechanical properties, clogging, polymer

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