Pervious Concrete Improvements
ET-493 Senior Design Project
Instructor: Cris Koutsougeras
Advisor: Mohamed Zeidan
By: Alex Rodney
February 27, 2015
Table of Contents:
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Page 1 – Title Page
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Page 2 – Table of Contents
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Page 3 – Abstract / Introduction
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Page 4 - Testing
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Page 5 – End Result / Completed Work
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Page 6 – Completed Work
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Page 7 – Timeline / Deliverables
Abstract:
This project will consist of mixing and testing different mixtures of concrete to develop a
more cost efficient pervious concrete with equal or possibly higher compressive strength than the
existing mixtures that are typically used today. We will be using different kinds of aggregates
and admixtures to determine cost, time of mixing, and strengths of different mixtures. I have
partnered with Ascension Ready Mix Concrete out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to help assist me
with supplies and testing for this project. The performance analysis of which will be done using a
slump test, compression test, and a permeability test. The cost of each different mixture will also
be presented on a spreadsheet as price per cubic yard comparing the raw materials cost to that of
different alternatives. The use of nano silica will also be introduced into the mixtures to test if it
will improve the strength of the concrete.
Introduction:
Pervious concrete is a special type of porous concrete that allows water from
precipitation and other water sources to flow directly through the material. This reduces runoff
and allows for the possibility for groundwater recharge. The main objective of this senior design
project is to create a pervious concrete with high compressive strength using recycled concrete.
However, I will also focus on just the compressive strength of pervious concrete and try to
improve the strength by simply using different aggregates, differing amounts of sand, and
changing other variables to find the most suitable materials. An integral part of this project will
be experimenting with some chemicals (admixtures) that Ascension Ready Mix has requested
that I try. Concrete is made up of four different main parts: aggregates, air, water, and binding
materials. By changing the amounts of these four components and adding the admixtures that
will be provided, I will determine what the best mixture is by doing numerous experiments and
testing each sample.
Testing:
The tests that I will be performing on each sample will be a slump test, compression test,
and a permeability test. Some of these test will be performed here at Southeastern, however, as I
mentioned earlier that Ascension Ready Mix will be assisting me with my testing so that I can
have the most accurate results as possible. I have the mix designs that Ascension Ready Mix uses
for their pervious concrete and will be altering those to suit what I will be doing.
Compression Test Machine
End Result:
The end result of this senior design project is to have come up with an alternate way to
mix and pour pervious concrete with the assistance of recycled materials while giving the
concrete a higher compressive strength. This will hopefully lower the cost of pervious concrete
and give it a wider range of uses with a higher compressive strength. The use of nano silica will
be monitored by creating different mix designs with the incorporation of nano silica. The idea
behind nano silica is that it can provide a way to strengthen concrete and possibly prevent
cracking. It works by introducing a silica (SiO2 ) into the mix design, the silica mixes with the
cementous material and fills in microscopic grooves and crevasses in the rocks and cement. If
this material worked as well as it theoretically can, it could cut costs and sizes of construction
projects tremendously.
Completed Work
This semester I have thoroughly researched pervious concrete and have learned how to
create mix designs with the correct air void content, I have adjusted concrete mix designs after
deciding to add nano scilica to my test mix designs, I have secured a testing lab that my test
cylinders will be thoroughly tested at, and I am in the process of creating a spreadsheet with
formulas to figure out how much of each material that I will need to mix my concrete and
successfully pour into the test cylinders. I will continue to adjust the mix designs for the next two
weeks to improve upon the mix designs that I have already created. Beginning in December, I
will use the materials gathered to mix the concrete and pour into the test cylinders. After which, I
will let them sit for one month and send them to the testing lab that I have secured at Ascension
Ready Mix.
Timeline/Deliverables:
September 2014: Research pervious concrete mix designs - Completed
October 2014: Secure testing lab to test cylinders along with materials needed - Completed
October 2014: Gather materials / Adjust mix design accordingly - Completed
November 2014: Design mixture and prepare trial mix - Completed
December 2014: Mix and pour 1st set testing cylinders - Complete
January 2015: Conduct tests at Ascension Ready Mix lab - Completed
February 2015: Readjust mix design accordingly – Completed
March 2015: Pour #2 and #3 to ensure effective mix design
March – April 2015: Perform cost analysis and prepare final report