Abstract
This research used a newly developed, full-scale infiltration testing (FSIT) procedure to determine the saturated surface infiltration rate of 16 existing permeable pavement installations in the Netherlands that have been in service for a number of years. Newly installed permeable pavements in the Netherlands must demonstrate a minimum infiltration capacity of 194 mm/h (540 L/s/ha). Only four of the 16 pavements tested in this study had an infiltration capacity higher than 194 mm/h. Most previous research has focused on unsaturated infiltration rates. However, the results of this study show that the difference in infiltration capacity between saturated and unsaturated can differ by up to 300%. If the unsaturated infiltration capacity is used as design input for computer models, the infiltration capacity may be significantly overestimated. The study demonstrated that the FSIT method is a reliable and accurate way to measure surface infiltration rates of permeable pavements. However, it is recommended that a minimum of three different FSIT tests should be undertaken at the same pavement location, and that the results should be averaged, to ensure appropriate infiltration rates are observed, recorded, and used in design. The results of this study should help stormwater managers with the planning, testing, and scheduling of maintenance requirements for permeable pavements with more confidence so that they will continue to perform satisfactorily over their intended design life.
Highlights
A range of different permeable pavements are used around the world to infiltrate and treat stormwater runoff
This study used a full-scale infiltration testing (FSIT) method to evaluate the infiltration performance of 16 permeable pavements in five municipalities that had been in long-term service throughout the Netherlands
The other 12 permeable pavements may be due for maintenance to restore their infiltration capacity
Summary
A range of different permeable (or porous) pavements are used around the world to infiltrate and treat stormwater runoff. There are several types of permeable pavements, including concrete pavers with wide joints or apertures (Figure 1a) and porous concrete pavers, either with or without wide joints (Figure 1b). These are usually manufactured as blocks and are generally referred to as permeable concrete interlocking pavers (PCIPs). The design and function of CGPs and PGPs are similar to that of PCIPs. Stormwater can infiltrate through the openings and gaps in these pavers, which are usually filled with gravel or topsoil planted with grass (Figure 1d)
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