Abstract

Although the use of pervious concrete is expanding, only a limited number of scholarly papers have been published on the resistance of pervious concrete to deterioration under frost action. Based on this need for additional research on the durability of pervious concrete in cold regions, the objective of this research was to evaluate the resistance of pervious concrete to degradation during freeze-thaw cycling under different soil clogging and water saturation conditions. The laboratory research associated with this project involved three primary measures of pervious concrete performance, including freeze-thaw durability, compressive strength, and permeability. Testing associated with freeze-thaw durability involved two levels of soil clogging, two water saturation conditions, and two curing durations in a full-factorial experimental design. Field testing involved measurements of stiffness, permeability, and compressive strength at a single site in Orem, Utah. The factor of water saturation and the interaction between the factors of curing condition and clogging condition played significant roles in testing throughout the entire course of freeze-thaw testing. Regarding the factor of water saturation, specimens that were completely submerged in water during freeze-thaw testing were damaged at a notably faster rate than those specimens that were tested in a moist but unsaturated condition for both curing conditions. Regarding the interaction between the factors of curing condition and clogging condition, the effect of clogging on the number of freeze-thaw cycles to failure depended upon the curing condition. A comparison of in situ modulus values, core modulus values, and core compressive strengths associated with clogged locations and unclogged locations in the field indicated no significant differences in structural properties in the clogged and unclogged locations. Although the results of this research suggest that pervious concrete similar to that evaluated in this study can be successfully used in cold regions under essentially ideal conditions, further laboratory and field research should be performed to more carefully examine the effect of moisture content on the freeze-thaw durability of moist but unsaturated specimens. Also, given that clogging can reduce the freeze-thaw durability of pervious concrete, the efficacy of maintenance procedures available for cleaning partially clogged pervious concrete slabs should be investigated. Long-term monitoring of and supplementary experimentation on the pervious concrete slab tested in this research should be considered for these purposes. More conclusive data about the performance of pervious concrete in cold regions will be derived from such field tests.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Civil and Environmental Engineering

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