Civil Engineering Association

ACI 522R-10 Report on Pervious Concrete (Reapproved 2011)

This report provides technical information on pervious concrete’s application, design methods, materials, properties, mixture proportioning, construction methods, testing, and inspection.

The term “pervious concrete” typically describes a near-zero-slump, open-graded material consisting of portland cement, coarse aggregate, little or no fine aggregate, admixtures, and water. The combination of these ingredients will produce a hardened material with connected pores, ranging in size from 0.08 to 0.32 in. (2 to 8 mm), that allow water to pass through easily. The void content can range from 15 to 35%, with typical compressive strengths of 400 to 4000 psi (2.8 to 28 MPa). The drainage rate of pervious concrete pavement will vary with aggregate size and density of the mixture, but will generally fall into the range of 2 to 18 gal./ min/ft2 (81 to 730 L/min/m2). Pervious concrete is widely recognized as a sustainable building material, as it reduces stormwater runoff, improves stormwater quality, may recharge groundwater supplies, and can reduce the impact of the urban heat island effect.

Keywords: construction; design; drainage; green building; LEED® credit; permeability; pervious concrete pavement; stormwater; sustainability; testing.

This report provides technical information on pervious concrete’s application, design methods, materials, properties, mixture proportioning, construction methods, testing, and inspection.

The term “pervious concrete” typically describes a near-zero-slump, open-graded material consisting of portland cement, coarse aggregate, little or no fine aggregate, admixtures, and water. The combination of these ingredients will produce a hardened material with connected pores, ranging in size from 0.08 to 0.32 in. (2 to 8 mm), that allow water to pass through easily. The void content can range from 15 to 35%, with typical compressive strengths of 400 to 4000 psi (2.8 to 28 Mpa). The drainage rate of pervious concrete pavement will vary with aggregate size and density of the mixture, but will generally fall into the range of 2 to 18 gal./ min/ft2 (81 to 730 L/min/m2). Pervious concrete is widely recognized as a sustainable building material, as it reduces stormwater runoff, improves stormwater quality, may recharge groundwater supplies, and can reduce the impact of the urban heat island effect.

Keywords: construction; design; drainage; green building; LEED® credit; permeability; pervious concrete pavement; stormwater; sustainability; testing.