Enhancing Pervious Concrete for Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management: A Novel Mix Design Approach with Local Pozzolans and Polypropylene Fibers

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. candidate, water science and engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Associate Professor, water science and engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Professor, water science and engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

5 Ph.D., Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Urbanization significantly reduces the natural permeability of land, which exacerbates issues related to surface runoff and drainage. Pervious concrete serves as a sustainable pavement solution that enhances water infiltration and helps mitigate urban flooding. This study aimed to develop and evaluate innovative mix designs that incorporate locally sourced ceramic and carbide-based pozzolans, along with polypropylene fibers. The optimal mix was identified as consisting of 5% ceramic pozzolan, 5% carbide pozzolan, and polypropylene fibers. This blend demonstrated exceptional properties, achieving a permeability rate of 140,947 mm/h, a compressive strength of 14.5 MPa, a flexural strength of 2.4 MPa, a porosity of 34.8%, and a density of 1,799 kg/m³. When compared to baseline mixes, the pozzolanic blends not only improved mechanical performance but also maintained or enhanced permeability. These results highlight the proposed mix's substantial potential for cost-effective and high-performance applications in sustainable urban drainage systems, ultimately contributing to improved stormwater management in urban settings.

Graphical Abstract

Enhancing Pervious Concrete for Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management: A Novel Mix Design Approach with Local Pozzolans and Polypropylene Fibers

Highlights

  • Urbanization reduces land permeability, increasing runoff and drainage challenges.
  • Pervious concrete functions as a natural filtration system to enhance groundwater recharge. A novel mix incorporating local pozzolans and polypropylene fibers is proposed.
  • Laboratory tests confirm improved permeability, porosity, and flexural strength.
  • The Ce 5% mix achieves an optimal balance between permeability and strength, offering a sustainable urban drainage solution.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1]     Hannah R, Max R. Urbanization. Our World Data 2018.
[2]     Fabio R, Andrea P, Maria Nicolina R, Antonio L. Assessment of stormwater runoff management practices and BMPs under soil sealing: A study case in a peri-urban watershed of the metropolitan area of Rome (Italy). J Environ Manage 2017;201:6–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.06.024.
[3]     Giuseppina G, Andrea G, Patrizia P, Giandomenico S, Andrea V. A distributed real-time approach for mitigating CSO and flooding in urban drainage systems. J Netw Comput Appl 2017;78:30–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2016.11.004.
[4]     Ji Hun P, Young Uk K, Jisoo J, Seunghwan W, Seong Jin C, Sumin K. Effect of eco-friendly pervious concrete with amorphous metallic fiber on evaporative cooling performance. J Environ Manage 2021;297:113269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113269.
[5]     Ernest O. N, Alan P. N, Stephen J. C, Fredrick U. M. Stormwater harvesting for irrigation purposes: An investigation of chemical quality of water recycled in pervious pavement system. J Environ Manage 2015;147:246–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.08.020.
[6]     J. S, X. K, G. Y, V. R. Filtration and clogging of permeable pavement loaded by urban drainage. Water Res 2012;46:6763–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.10.018.
[7]     Masoud K, Hui L, John T. H, Xiao L. Application of permeable pavements in highways for stormwater runoff management and pollution prevention: California research experiences. Int J Transp Sci Technol 2019;8:358–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtst.2019.01.001.
[8]     Jennifer D, Andrea B, Tim VS. Hydrologic Performance of Three Partial-Infiltration Permeable Pavements in a Cold Climate over Low Permeability Soil. J Hydrol Eng 2014;19:04014016. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000943.
[9]     Adam C. Performance of Hydromedia Pervious Concrete Pavement Subjected to Urban Traffic Loads in Ontario. n.d.
[10]   Tarunbir S, Rafat S, Shruti S. Effectiveness of using Metakaolin and fly ash as supplementary cementitious materials in pervious concrete. Eur J Environ Civ Eng n.d.;26:7359–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2021.1988715.
[11]    John T. K, Joseph Dan S. Low-Cost Techniques for Improving the Surface Durability of Pervious Concrete. Transp Res Rec n.d.:83–9. https://doi.org/10.3141/2342-10.
[12]   Xiaodan C, Hao W, Husam N, Giri V, John H. Evaluating engineering properties and environmental impact of pervious concrete with fly ash and slag. J Clean Prod n.d.;237:117714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117714.
[13]   Sara P-M, Ignacio A-D, Carmen H-C, Francisco V-M, Miguel M, Ignacio E-B, et al. The role of monitoring sustainable drainage systems for promoting transition towards regenerative urban built environments: a case study in the Valencian region, Spain. J Clean Prod 2017;163:S113–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.153.
[14]   L. C, T. F. F. Evaluation of surface infiltration performance of permeable pavements. J Environ Manage 2019;238:136–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.119.
[15]   Effect of clogging and cleaning on the permeability of pervious block pavements: International Journal of Pavement Engineering: Vol 23, No 9 n.d.
[16]   Md Habibullah B, Shriful I, Joe G, Jeffrey L, Alexander S. Application of Time Domain Reflectometry Method in Monitoring State Parameters of Subgrade Soil in Pavement. J Transp Eng Part B Pavements 2020;146:04020021. https://doi.org/10.1061/JPEODX.0000172.
[17]   Sayedmasoud M, Majid G, Eshan V. D. A system dynamics framework for mechanistic analysis of flexible pavement systems under moisture variations. Transp Geotech 2021;30:100619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2021.100619.
[18]   P S, M H, BH N, I A. Laboratory comparison of roller-compacted concrete and ordinary vibrated concrete for pavement structures. GRADEVINAR n.d.;72:127–37. https://doi.org/10.14256/JCE.2572.2018.
[19]   Alalea K, Jasmine M. D, Hong S. W, Christopher R. C. Structural and hydrological design of permeable concrete pavements. Case Stud Constr Mater 2021;15:e00564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00564.
[20]   Weichung Y, Jiang Jhy C. The influences of cement type and curing condition on properties of pervious concrete made with electric arc furnace slag as aggregates. Constr Build Mater 2019;197:813–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.178.
[21]   Savithri S. K, U. Lohith K, Naveen D. Porous concrete with optimum fine aggregate and fibre for improved strength. Adv Concr Constr 2019;8:305–9.
[22]   FRAM C, BS S, H R, RA Y. Advanced Properties of Continuously Graded Pervious Concrete for Rigid Pavement Base Layer. Int J Eng Technol Innov n.d.;9:91–107.
[23]   AK C, KP B. Investigation on Flexural Strength and Stiffness of Pervious Concrete for Pavement Applications. Adv Civ Eng Mater n.d.;7:223–42. https://doi.org/10.1520/ACEM20170015.
[24]   Ebenezer Y, Pablo T, Daniel J-E, Gilberto Garcia DA, Carlos T. The Effect of Untreated Dura-Palm Kernel Shells as Coarse Aggregate in Lightweight Pervious Concrete for Flood Mitigation. BUILDINGS n.d.;13:1588. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13071588.
[25]   Kwabena B, Morteza K. Influence of Calcined Clay Pozzolan and Aggregate Size on the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Pervious Concrete. J Compos Sci n.d.;7:182. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7050182.
[26]   Guoyang L, Pengfei L, Yuhong W, Sabine F, Dawei W, Markus O. Development of a sustainable pervious pavement material using recycled ceramic aggregate and bio-based polyurethane binder. J Clean Prod n.d.;220:1052–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.184.
[27]   Mudasir N, Kanish K, S. P. S. Strength, durability and microstructural investigations on pervious concrete made with fly ash and silica fume as supplementary cementitious materials. J Build Eng 2023;69:106275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106275.
[28]   Desmond E. E. E, Joseph O. O. U, Obeten Nicholas O, Zubair Ahmed M, George Uwadiegwu A, Abdalrhman M. Scheffe’s Simplex Optimization of Flexural Strength of Quarry Dust and Sawdust Ash Pervious Concrete for Sustainable Pavement Construction. Materials (Basel) n.d.;16:598. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020598.
[29]   J. X, C. J, J. A, J. P. Mix design and physical and mechanical properties of pervious concretes. Mater Constr n.d.;72:e297. https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2022.292722.
[30]   M. S. M. L, K. K. H, A. H. J, E. M, P. K. M. Self-Compacting Pervious Concrete Mix Design for Permeable Concrete Soakaway Rings. Adv Civ Eng Mater n.d.;7:340–52. https://doi.org/10.1520/ACEM20170153.
[31]   Ming-Gin L, Wei-Chien W, Yung-Chih W, Yi-Cheng H, Yung-Chih L. Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Pervious Concrete with Steel Fiber or Glass Fiber. BUILDINGS n.d.;12:620. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050620.
[32]   Cong Z, Jianqun W, Xudong S, Lifeng L, Junbo S, Xiangyu W. The feasibility of using ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to strengthen RC beams in torsion. J Mater Res Technol 2023;24:9961–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.05.185.
[33]   Fengbin Z, Wenhao L, Ying H, Lepeng H, Zhuolin X, Jun Y, et al. Moisture Diffusion Coefficient of Concrete under Different Conditions. Buildings n.d.;13:2421. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102421.
[34]   Lin C, Zhonghao C, Zhuolin X, Lilong W, Jianmin H, Lepeng H, et al. Recent developments on natural fiber concrete: A review of properties, sustainability, applications, barriers, and opportunities. Dev Built Environ 2023;16:100255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100255.
[35]   Salami BA, Bahraq AA, Haq MM ul, Ojelade OA, Taiwo R, Wahab S, et al. Polymer-enhanced concrete: A comprehensive review of innovations and pathways for resilient and sustainable materials. Next Mater 2024;4:100225. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2024.100225.
[36]   Khan R, Siddiqui AR, Akhtar MN. Sustainable concrete solutions for green infrastructure development: A review. J Sustain Constr Mater Technol 2025;10:108–41. https://doi.org/10.47481/jscmt.1667793.
[37]   Bilal H, Gao X, Cavaleri L, Khan A, Ren M. Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Characterization of Pervious Concrete Incorporating Polypropylene Fibers and Fly Ash/Silica Fume. J Compos Sci 2024;8. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110456.
[38]   Onyelowe KC, Ebid AM, Mahdi HA, Riofrio A, Eidgahee DR, Baykara H, et al. Optimal Compressive Strength of RHA Ultra-High-Performance Lightweight Concrete (UHPLC) and Its Environmental Performance Using Life Cycle Assessment. Civ Eng J 2022;8:2391–410. https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-11-03.
[39]   Onyelowe KC, Kontoni DPN, Oyewole S, Apugo-Nwosu T, Nasrollahpour S, Soleymani A, et al. Compressive strength optimization and life cycle assessment of geopolymer concrete using machine learning techniques. E3SWC 2023;436:08009. https://doi.org/10.1051/E3SCONF/202343608009.
[40]   Yosefi A, Jahangir H. The Influence of Natural Additives on Mechanical Properties of Concrete Specimens: A Review. | نشریه عمران و پروژه | 2023;5:11–20. https://doi.org/10.22034/cpj.2023.398231.1200.
[41]   Sathiparan N, Jeyananthan P, Subramaniam DN. A machine learning approach to predicting pervious concrete properties: a review. Innov Infrastruct Solut 2025;10:1–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/S41062-024-01829-3/METRICS.
[42]   Mhaya AM, Shahidan S, Mohd Zuki SS, Hakim SJS, Wan Ibrahim MH, Mohammad Azmi MA, et al. Modified pervious concrete containing biomass aggregate: Sustainability and environmental benefits. Ain Shams Eng J 2025;16:103324. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ASEJ.2025.103324.
[43]   Akbulut ZF, Kuzielová E, Tawfik TA, Smarzewski P, Guler S. Synergistic Effects of Polypropylene Fibers and Silica Fume on Structural Lightweight Concrete: Analysis of Workability, Thermal Conductivity, and Strength Properties. Mater 2024, Vol 17, Page 5042 2024;17:5042. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA17205042.
[44]   Boomibalan S, Isleem HF, Swaminathan P, Rameshkumar D, Kadarkarai A. Experimental investigations on mechanical performance, synergy assessment, and microstructure of pozzolanic and non-pozzolanic hybrid steel fiber reinforced concrete. Struct Concr 2025;26:1498–519. https://doi.org/10.1002/SUCO.202400693;REQUESTEDJOURNAL:JOURNAL:17517648;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION.
[45]   Wang Y, Zhang J, Du G, Li Y. Synergistic effects of polypropylene fiber and basalt fiber on the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating fly ash ceramsite after freeze-thaw cycles. J Build Eng 2024;91:109593. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2024.109593.
[46]   Althaqafi E, Ali T, Qureshi MZ, Islam S, Ahmed H, Ajwad A, et al. Evaluating the combined effect of sugarcane bagasse ash, metakaolin, and polypropylene fibers in sustainable construction. Sci Rep 2024;14:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-024-76360-7;SUBJMETA=166,639,766;KWRD=ENGINEERING,PHYSICS.
[47]   Standard Specification for Portland Cement n.d.
[48]   Specification for Concrete Aggregates. n.d.
[49]   Standard Test Method for Surface Infiltration Rate of Permeable Unit Pavement Systems n.d. https://doi.org/10.1520/C1781_C1781M–13.
[50]   Gene Daniel D. Factors influencing concrete workability. ASTM Spec Tech Publ 2006;169 D-STP:59–72. https://doi.org/10.1520/stp36407s.
[51]   Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens n.d.
[52]   Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading). n.d.
[53]   Standard Test Method for Density and Void Content of Hardened Pervious Concrete n.d.
[54]   Chittaranjan B. N. Experimental and numerical study on reinforced concrete deep beam in shear with crimped steel fiber. Innov Infrastruct Solut n.d.;7:41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00638-2.
[55]   Chittaranjan B. N. Experimental and numerical investigation on compressive and flexural behavior of structural steel tubular beams strengthened with AFRP composites. J King Saud Univ - Eng Sci 2021;33:88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2020.02.001.
[56]   Nilesh Z, Shantanu P, Chittaranjan N. Use of fly ash cenosphere in the construction Industry: A review. Mater Today Proc 2022;62:2185–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.03.362.
[57]   American Concrete Institute. ACI 522 R10 Reported by ACI Committee 522 Report on Pervious Concrete ( Reapproved 2011 ). ACI Commitee 522 2010:1–08.
[58]   N. R, M. S. R. Strength characteristics of concrete made with copper slag and fly-ash. Mater Today Proc 2022;60:738–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.337.
[59]   Gunavant K. K, Chittaranjan B. N, Sunil B. T. Optimization of sustainable high-strength–high-volume fly ash concrete with and without steel fiber using Taguchi method and multi-regression analysis. Innov Infrastruct Solut 2021;6:102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00472-6.
[60]   A P, C N, Chittaranjan N. An Experimental Study on Effect of Pharmaceutical Industrial Waste Water on Compressive Strength of Concrete. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol 2021;10:5. https://doi.org/10.15680/IJIRSET.2021.1008038.
[61]   Chittaranjan B. N, Pratik P. T, Umesh T. J, Nitin A. J, Samadhan G. M. Effect of SiO2 and ZnO Nano-Composites on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Modified Concrete. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 2022;46:1237–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00694-9.
[62]   Chittaranjan B. N, Giridhar N. N, Harshwardhan R. S. Structural and cracking behaviour of RC T-beams strengthened with BFRP sheets by experimental and analytical investigation. J King Saud Univ - Eng Sci 2022;34:398–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2021.01.001.
[63]   Umesh J, Anil J, Chittaranjan N. Behaviour of Ternary Blended Cement in M40 Grade of Concrete 2022;9.
[64]   Nagesh T. S, Chittaranjan B. N, Sunil B. T, Gunavant K. K. Optimization of Self-cured High-Strength Concrete by Experimental and Grey Taguchi Modelling. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 2022;46:4313–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-022-00897-8.
[65]   Pengfei L, Haoyu W, Ding N, Duoyin W, Chengzhi W. A method to analyze the long-term durability performance of underground reinforced concrete culvert structures under coupled mechanical and environmental loads. J Intell Constr 2023;1. https://doi.org/10.26599/JIC.2023.9180011.
[66]   M. B, M. B. Long-term durability of concrete structures. J Phys Conf Ser n.d.;1614:012006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1614/1/012006.
[67]   Weiqi X, Vivian WY T, Khoa N L, Jian Li H, Jun W. Life cycle assessment of recycled aggregate concrete on its environmental impacts: A critical review. Constr Build Mater 2022;317:125950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125950.
[68]   Abdinasir K, Madumita S, Otto D, Kim B, Agnes N. Combination of LCA and circularity index for assessment of environmental impact of recycled aggregate concrete. J Sustain Cem Mater 2023;12:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2021.2004562.
[69]   Eftekhar Afzali S, Ghasemi M, Rahimiratki A, Mehdizadeh B, Yousefieh N, Asgharnia M. Compaction and Compression Behavior of Waste Materials and Fiber-Reinforced Cement-Treated Sand. J Struct Des Constr Pract 2025;30. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSDCCC.SCENG-1643.
[70]   G. H, S. A. M, V. M. J, J. L. P, A. F, A. H, et al. Environmental impacts and decarbonization strategies in the cement and concrete industries. Nat Rev Earth Environ n.d.;1:559–73. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0093-3.
[71]   Daniel C R, Pedro C R A A, Tongbo S, Vanderley M J. Influence of cement strength class on environmental impact of concrete. Resour Conserv Recycl 2020;163:105075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105075.
[72]   Natt M. Cost-benefit analysis of the production of ready-mixed high-performance concrete made with recycled concrete aggregate: A case study in Thailand. Heliyon 2020;6:e04135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04135.
[73]   Noura A, Jayasree C. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Vibrated Cement Concrete and Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Recycled Aggregates and Natural Pozzolana. J Eng Res n.d.;11. https://doi.org/10.36909/jer.15999.
[74]   Guiwen L, Jianmin H, Neng W, Wenjie D, Xuanyi X. Material Alternatives for Concrete Structures on Remote Islands: Based on Life-Cycle-Cost Analysis. Adv Civ Eng n.d.;2022:7329408. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7329408.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 04 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 09 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 17 August 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics