Pervious Concrete Improvements
ET-493 Senior Design Project
Instructor: Cris Koutsougeras
Advisor: Mohamed Zeidan
By: Alex Rodney
November 21, 2014
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 to determine cost,
time of mixing, and compressive 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 with 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.
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 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.
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.
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
January 2015: Conduct tests at Ascension Ready Mix lab
February 2015: Readjust mix design accordingly
March – April 2015: Perform cost analysis and prepare final report