Development of a Special Provision on the Use of Pervious Concrete As a Stormwater Management Tool in Parking Lots

About the report:

The abundance of impervious surfaces in developed areas leads to increased threats from stormwater runoff. The contaminants carried in unmanaged stormwater runoff in addition to higher volumes of water damage the natural environment and put undue stress on ecosystems on which society depends for both recreation and industrial activities. Pervious concrete makes it possible to replace surfaces that generate stormwater runoff with permeable surfaces while maintaining the original function of the impermeable surface (such as a parking lot).

The purpose of this study was to develop a special provision for the Virginia Department of Transportation for the implementation of pervious concrete as a stormwater management tool through the exploration of mix designs, material properties, and infiltration capabilities. The special provision is provided in the Appendix.

The study recommends that the Virginia Department of Transportation begin using the special provision developed in this study as an option when permeable pavements are determined to be the proper stormwater best management practice for the parking lot in question.

Authors