Electronic Blueprint - Permeable concrete segmental pavements
Permeable concrete segmental pavements provide an ideal means of reducing
the rate of stormwater run-off and the consequential overload of the stormwater drainage
system. They also facilitate water harvesting and improvements in water quality of run-off.
This system was first applied in Europe almost 20 years ago. Research into permeable paving
began in Australia in the early 1990s and was directed both to adapting permeable paving to
suit Australian climates and rainfalls and to providing fundamental information for the
design of permeable pavements to carry traffic. This work, taken in conjunction with
overseas investigations, means that there is now a substantial body of information that
can be used in the design and application of permeable concrete segmental pavements under
Australian conditions.
When designing such pavements, Engineers should consider both the hydrology and structural
aspects. Considerations include:
- Potential run-off volumes and flow rates,
- Infiltration rate through the pavement layers (pavers, bedding, base, sub-base and subgrade),
- Storage volume within the pavement,
- Filtration characteristics,
- Wheel loads,
- Traffic repetitions, and
- Resistance to rutting, cracking and other structural criteria.
PERMPAVE® software has been developed by CMAA (Concrete Masonry Association of Australia)
and the University of South Australia, to provide the hydrological design inputs and
requirements for concrete segmental permeable pavements. It incorporates storm data from
"Australian Rainfall and Runoff" publication. Design criteria for stormwater management,
flood control, water quality and water harvesting are included in the software.
LOCKPAVE® software (also provided by the CMAA) may be used for the structural design for
permeable concrete segmental pavements. This software has recently been upgraded by Dr Brian
Shackel to incorporate design procedures, methodology and material specifications for permeable
concrete segmental pavements. Electronic Blueprint provides editable specifications for permeable
concrete segmental pavements, including the units, bedding, aggregate, geotextiles and the like.
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