Polymer-modified pervious concrete for durable and sustainable transportation infrastructures

Abstract

Pervious concrete is widely considered as an optimal material to manage storm waters in built environments as well as to provide several other environmental benefits. Despite the broad capabilities pervious concrete pavements have exhibited a high failure rate so far. Causes are mainly related to poor design, inadequate construction techniques including compaction, and heavy vehicular traffic. Performance of pervious concrete can be furthermore improved by modifying the cement matrix through polymer modifications, for instance. Polymers could indeed have the capability of improving mechanical performance, particularly flexural strength, without reducing drainability and void content.Four polymers have been tested in the present research and preliminary analyses on polymer-modified cement grouts and mortars were conducted during the first phase of the study; polymer-modified pervious concrete mixes were then prepared and further tested to evaluate the inclusion of polymers depending on the type and content.Results showed a delayed curing of polymer-modified mixes as well as an increased mechanical resistance and durability to raveling and freeze-thaw cycles; polyvinyl acetate polymer demonstrated to be a very good option.