This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We hope to develop a database of information to help consumers make informed choices about what goes in their buildings. Enjoy the series!
Permeable Concrete
Permeable concrete (also called porous concrete, pervious concrete, no fines concrete and porous pavement) is a special type of concrete with a high porosity that allows water from precipitation and other sources to pass directly through, thereby reducing the runoff from a site and allowing groundwater recharge.
Permeable concrete is made using large aggregates with little to no fine aggregates (sand). The concrete paste coats the aggregates and allows water to pass through the slab. Pervious concrete is traditionally used in parking areas, areas with light traffic, residential streets, pedestrian walkways, and greenhouses.
What Makes It Green
By capturing stormwater and allowing it to seep into the ground, permeable concrete is instrumental in recharging groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and meeting US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stormwater regulations. In fact, the use of permeable concrete is among the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended by the EPA—and by other agencies and geotechnical engineers across the country—for the management of stormwater runoff on a regional and local basis.
This pavement technology creates more efficient land use by eliminating the need for retention ponds, swales, and other stormwater management devices. In doing so, pervious concrete has the ability to lower overall project costs on a first-cost basis.
At the end of its useful life, pervious concrete can be ground up and used for fill material. It can also be made from recycled, reused, and local materials.
Green Product Certifications
There are no green product certifications for this material.
Environmental product declaration for Central Concrete in California.
Health Product Declaration
There is no health product declaration for this material.
Pros |
Cons |
| Saves money on stormwater management | No standardized test for compressive strength |
| Uses recycled/recyclable materials, and can be repurposed at end of life | Cold climate may reduce life span |
| Variety of colors and finishes available | Needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain porosity |
| Lower life-cycle cost than asphalt | |
| Improves driving safety during wet weather |
Sources: Wikipedia and PerviousPavement.org
Photos: PerviousPavement.org
