Analysis of the behavior of filtration vs.

compressive strength ratio in pervious

concrete.
Jos Juan Flores1, Bernardo Martnez1 and Roberto Uribe1
There is an increasing interest in the use of pervious concrete, mainly because it
represents a technological option for sustainable development; as it is well known, in
addition to its filtration properties, this kind of concrete has the capability to reduce the
noise generated by the vehicles circulating over these types of surfaces.
Its main function consists in the water permeation, in order to destine it to diverse uses
according to the particular needs of each project. Its filtering capability can be maximized
using integral systems designed in accordance to local conditions of pluvial precipitation,
subsoil permeability, as well as other environmental factors. In the present project, a
characterization of different mixture designs based on this technology is made, using a
proposed test which measures the filtering capabilities and analyzes its behavior, in
relation to the mechanical properties of compressive and flexural strengths that are
achieved under different mixture designs. Furthermore, the tests analyze the individual
and accumulated influence of different factors that take part in the filterable concrete
design, such as cement consumption, the addition of different percentages of sand, or the
use of additives that modify the fresh-state properties, in order to obtain an appropriate
range of designs for different service and exposure conditions.

Centro de Tecnologa Cemento y Concreto; 3er. Cerrada de Minas # 42, Col. Francisco
Villa, lvaro Obregn, C.P. 01280, Mxico, D.F., Mxico; Telfonos 52 55 5626 8312,
52 55 5626 8373; Fax 52 55 5626 8325

Background
Experimental research was settled to evaluate the compressive strength vs. filtration
ability properties and identify the variables influence: cement content, maximum
aggregate size, fine aggregate use (sand), mix design, additives, and compaction methods.
Experimental Procedure
The fresh and hardened concrete properties evaluation and its performance was based on
experimental designs including concrete mixes under different design criteria, such as
ACI designs, CEMEX designs and other similar technologies. Conventional concrete
tests and special tests were proposed to evaluate.
Concrete mixes were elaborated based on design criteria mentioned before to evaluate the
variable influence as cement content, maximum aggregate size, fine aggregate and
admixtures. Besides, it is proved that an important variable in concrete properties is the
compaction method, because of that, two different methods were evaluated: tamping rod
(ASTM C 192) and Proctor Method (identified in this research as Proctor Modified).
Proctor Modified placement method is applied
with a steel circular plate bonded to a rod guide
which work as a rail for the plate. To compact
the concrete, the plate must run all the rod way,
and charge all the weight over the concrete
surface by free-fall. The specimen is filled in 3
layers, each one is compacted by 15 tamps,
keeping the height of the plate (photograph 1)

Photograph 1. Proctor Modify Method

Proposal Test Method for Filtration based on
CEMEX experience
A test method to evaluate filtration ability was designed based in our own experience
from field filtration test in soil, since there were no formal tests before. The test method is
applied to a 4 x 8 in (10 x 20 cm) specimen, which consists in the following procedure,
the perimeter surface of the concrete cylinder must be covered with a waterproof and
non-absorbing material, to get an unidirectional water flow through the concrete cylinder,
then a plastic cap with the same diameter (4- 10 cm) is filled with water and fixed to the
level surface of the concrete. The test starts recording the time that the water needs to
cross the entire specimen, from the top until the bottom. (Photograph 2)

Volume of filtration water and time needed to cross the

specimen must be registered to get the filtration rate in
mm/min.
In accordance with the laboratory tests made with different
concretes mixes, a new CEMEX limit for filtration rate for
this kind of concrete is established, where the minimum is
4 in/min (100 mm/min) based on the maximum rain
registered in all the word.
It is important to say that the CEMEX limit is higher than
the filtration ability needed to drain out the highest pluvial
precipitation recorded in Mexico of 0.15 in/min (4
mm/min). Even the filtration limit is very superior to the
highest rain registered; this limit is determined to improve
the useful life of pavements and filtration properties,
considering that the filtration properties will be decreases
as the time passes.

Photograph 2. Filtration
test method

Results

2500

350
2080

2143

2250

300

2000
1750

250

1500
1233

200

1250
883

150

1000
747

688

676

750

100
388
203

50

272

500
250

76

85

96

101

104

106

124

166

172

203

CMX - 01 CMX - 02

CMX - 03 CMX - 04 CMX - 05

CMX - 06 CMX - 07 CMX - 08

f'c

Filtration Rate

CMX - 09 CMX - 10

Filtration rate (mm/min)

f'c (kg/cm)

The experimental general results are showed in figures 1 and 2, and it is contemplated all
the experimental design, 2 type of coarse aggregates, 3/4 and 3/8, 5 levels of sand
substitution 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30%, 4 types of admixtures, viscosity modifiers (MF) and
high range water reducers (HRWR); to w/c ratios, 0.30 and 0.35, and 2 cement
consumptions 300 and 350 kg/m3.

1037

300

1000
784

250

696

750

639

200

Filtration rate (mm/min)

f'c (kg/cm)

1250
1093

350

589
481

150

500
340

100
250

50
62

90

102

105

133

151

169

175

CMX - 11

CMX - 12

CMX - 13

CMX - 14

CMX - 15

CMX - 16

CMX - 17

CMX - 18

f'c

Filtration Rate

Figures 1 y 2. Compressive strength and filtration rate general results.

Result Analysis
Cement Consumption
As is logical, the best performance at the mechanical properties is reached with a higher
cement amount, however, with more cement in the mix, the pores trends to be close and
the filtration rate is affected due to the paste densification. (Photographys 3 y 4)

Photograph 3 & 4. Differences in the past surface due to high cement consumption.
Aggregate Maximum Size (AMS)
For the compressive strength, the best performance is in the mixes with 3/4 (20 mm) as
coarse aggregate, sand substitution and HRWR, with values from 2802 to 2887 psi (197
to 203 kg/) at 28 days age, however, the use of 3/4 (200 mm) coarse aggregate can
generate troubles at the moment of settling, even when the slump in the mix must be 0.
To improve the workability on the mix design is recommended to use a 3/8 (10 mm) as
maximum size. (figure 3)
4

f'c (kg/cm)

250

200

150

100

50

AC20-RA2

AC10-RA

3 days (tamping rod)

203

106

28 days (tamping rod)

231

126

Figure 3. Compressive strength according to the AMS.

Fine aggregate use (sand)
Even when the use of sand in the mix design improve the mechanical properties on the
Pervious Concrete, its addition reduce until 40% the filtration rate capacity in compare
with the same mix design without sand, independently of the admixture used, this is due
to the fine aggregate integration into the paste, block the existent pores between the
coarse aggregate. (figure 4)

filtration rate (mm/min)

The fine aggregate substitution percentage in a main factor in the concrete properties with
direct benefits in the compressive strength and other mechanical properties, however, the
filtration rates is seriously affected at the same time. The experiment reach a 30% limit
for sand substitution, with this quantity of sand the compressive and flexural strength
performance are very high, but with a null filtration rate.
2000

1831

1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800

672

600
400
200
0
No sand

With sand

Figure 4. Filtration rate with and without sand

Admixtures used
Even tough the searched slump is 0,
is highly recommended the HRWR
inclusion to improve the paste
appearance
and
workability.
However, it must be very careful
with dosage quantity, because the
paste could become very fluid and
with tendency to segregation at the
bottom of the sample, even tough the
filtration rate in the surface will be
adequate, the bottom of the structure
will be all blocked. (photograph 5)

Photograph 5. Cement paste segregation due to the HRWR over dosage.

filtration rate (mm/min)

f'c (kg/cm)

Besides, between the 2 admixture types used, the best results were obtained with the
HRWR over the viscosity modifiers. (figures 5 & 6)
180

163
160
140
120

103

1400

1178

1200

1000

908

800

100
80

600
60

400
40

200

20
0

HRWR

Viscosity Modifier

HRWR

Viscosity Modifier

Figures 5 & 6. Compressive strength and filtration rate with the two admixtures used.
Compacting methods.
For all the designs, the tamping rod method had a better performance than the Modified
Proctor, because generate a better performance in compressive strength with good results
in the filtration rate evaluation. Only for the filtration capacity, the Modified Proctor is
over the tamping rod method, this is due to the adequate consolidation reached with the
rod, that diminishes the spaces into the concrete, how ever, the diminution in the filtration
rate is not important compared with the minimum limit established. (figure 7)

filtration rate (mm/min)

1400

1181

1200

983

1000

800

600

400

200

0
Proctor

Tamping Rod

Figura 7. Filtracin con ambos mtodos de compactacin

With the result analysis is possible to do a family classification and its recommendations
depending on the particular properties of each mix design: (figure 8)

(kg/cm)

For conditions with high filtration rate necessities (high rain fall zones) and low
mechanical properties necessities (low traffic pavements) it is recommended a
design with no sand, with a maximum filtration rate of 57 in/min (1465 mm/m)
and a maximum flexural strength of 369 PSI (26 kg/cm), high filtration low
mechanical properties mix design.
For conditions with low filtration rate necessities (low rain fall zones) and high
mechanical properties necessities (moderate traffic pavements) it is recommended
a design with 10% of sand, with a maximum filtration rate of 27 in/min (680
mm/m) and a maximum flexural strength of 455 PSI (32 kg/cm), moderate
filtration moderate mechanical properties mix design.
1800

350

305

1600

300

1400
250
1200

211
200

1000

166
138

150

Filtration Rate (mm/min)

800

104

600

100
400
50

26

36

27

21

36

200
0

AC 20 R

AC 20 RA

Compressive Strength

AC 20 RA 2 I

AC 20 RA 3

Flexural Strength

AC 204 RA 2
Filtration Rate

Figure 8. Pervious concrete properties with sand substitution from 0 to 30%

Industrial Test
With all the results two designs was selected and placed in an industrial test in real
environment to see which the affectation level on the slabs is and which will bee the utile
life of the pervious concrete.
For the test a two slabs of 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.22 yd was placed, one for each design, over a
ground protected with waterproof layer and a 3% slope, each slab were conducted to a
collector recipient to catch the rain fall water. (figure 9)

Figure 9. Field test blueprint.

The industrial test goal was to measure de Pervious filtration rate in a real conditions,
also to check the filtration ability lose due to the service and environmental conditions. In
the corner of each slab a plastic collector was placed to catch the rainfall and determine
the pluvial precipitation in mm, a compare between the pluvial precipitation in one day
and the water collected in this event was made, with the differences the filtration rate
percentage was determined.
The industrial test site is next to ground slope, this condition accelerate the saturation
process on the slabs because of the fines quantity dragged by the rain from the ground
slope. (photograph 6)

Photograph 6. Industrial test site

The initial filtration ability was reading at 14 days age, this value was the 100% of
filtration ability, from that date periodical readings was take to determine de percentage
lose a cross the time. (photograph 7)

Photograph 7. Plastic water collectors.

Field test results
The filtration ability in both slabs has been affected in order the time exposure at natural
conditions increase. The strong rains during the season test drag ground fines to the
pervious slabs, this condition contributed to the pore saturation into the concrete, because
of this, the filtration ability have an important diminution. (photograph 8 & 9)
In general, the filtration rate diminution is the same for both slabs, until the 9 months age
the most affected slab was the one with 3/4 (20 mm) coarse aggregate, however, after 12
9

months the most affected slab was the one with 3/8 (10 mm) coarse aggregate. After 15
months of readings (two rain seasons), this last slab (3/8) has an 85% diminution in its
filtration ability, and the 3/4 slab has a 72% filtration ability. This performance is
probably derivate from the pore size in the 3/8 slab, because these pores are smaller than
the pores in the 3/4 slab the fines entrance and accumulation is easier, accelerating the
final saturation.

Filtration %

Its important to note even the service conditions are very drastic, after 15 month of
exposition, both slabs have over than CEMEX Standard, 4 in/min (100 mm/min). Beside
the slabs, two beams were placed in favorable conditions from the same concrete that the
slabs, these beams, after 15 months has been lose only 5% of their original filtration rate,
this value represents the hard conditions and the saturation process effect for the slabs.
(figure 10)

110%
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0,5

2,0

3,0

6,0

9,0

Age (m onths)

AC 20 RA

AC 10 RA

Figure 10. Filtration ability lose alter 15 months readings

10

12,0

15,0

Photograph 8 y 9. Block slabs alter 15 months and two rain seasons.

Conclusions
Compressive Strength
The best performance for compressive strength test was found in the mix design that
includes the higher fine aggregate percentage (20%) and 3/4 coarse aggregate, while the
design with 10% fine aggregate substitution and 3/8 coarse aggregate there is a 50%
decrease in compressive strength.
In the same way, the higher compressive strength recorded was obtained with 3/4" coarse
aggregate. It is important to mention that all mixes developed a compressive strength
gain of 20-25% from 3 to 28 days, because of that it is possible to evaluate this property
for early ages with high certainty. Besides, the most efficient method to compact concrete
was tamping rod, since compressive strength reached 40% more than the Proctor
Modified.
Filtration Ability
The mix designs that showed the best filtration ability were the ones elaborated with
Proctor Modified Method and with no fine aggregate. These designs reached a filtration
rate from 86 to 94 in/min (2,200 to 2,400 mm/min). For these tests, the admixture type
used is not significant for the mix design performance.
In accordance with the results obtained, the filtration ability is proportional inverse to
compressive strength. The mixes that developed the best performance for compressive
strength, showed a decreasing rate in filtration ability as a result of mortar paste
densification, without considering the use of admixtures. All the samples elaborated with
Proctor Compaction Method developed advantages in filtration ability resulting 10 to
40% in comparison with samples elaborated with tamping rod method.
Considering the industrial tests results, these types of concretes can lose the
characteristics and properties of the original design if protection measure programs and
regular maintenance are not taken in extreme conditions. It is important to set an effective

11

prevention system and regular maintenance program to keep original characteristics of

concrete.

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