Abstract

This project work aims to assess the more efficient cleaning method to recovery permeability in PC (pervious concrete) and to suggest a periodicity of cleaning to maintain the permeability close to the initial. As seen, the pervious concrete with its high porosity is exposed to clogging phenomenon, depending on the type of the sediment that can decrease the permeability of the material almost 100%. For accomplishing the objective of this project, a clogging was simulated in the PC with three types of sediments with a maximum concentration of 1.27 (2). The permeability recovery of the PC was evaluated with three simple methods (surface cleaning, air cleaning and water cleaning) to determine the most efficient method for each type of sediment. It was also possible to determine the cleaning periodicity by simulating two different scenarios, the first one with a high periodicity, and the second one with a medium periodicity, applying a soil erosion mechanics analysis. In all the cases analyzed, the average periodicity was more efficient since it guaranteed large permeability recoveries. These results were supported by the 3D microtomography which allowed visualizing that the sediments were deposited mostly in the first centimeter and in a medium depth. Finally, with an erosion analysis using the USLE and the rainfall data of a typical year, it was possible to correlate the sediment concentration with time and therefore, suggest periods of cleaning for each type of sediment. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.