Because of its porous nature, pervious concrete cannot be tested using standards developed for traditional concrete. In order to fill this need, ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates is developing a series of proposed test methods specific to pervious.
The first of these proposed standards, C1688/C1688M, Test Method for Density and Void Content of Freshly Mixed Pervious Concrete, has now been approved. This new standard and other proposed test methods for pervious are under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee C09.49 on Pervious Concrete.
Michael Davy, market development manager, CEMEX, and chair of the C09.49 task group that developed C1688/C1688M, says that the new standard can be used as a means of verifying that the pervious concrete delivered to a project corresponds to the producer’s mix proportions. C1688/C1688M may also be used in the development of mixtures with various aggregate types or sizes.
“The most likely users of C1688 will be specifying agencies, engineers, water management agencies and test labs performing fresh pervious concrete testing,” says Davy. “It may also be used by producers investigating different mix proportions.”
Davy notes that other proposed test methods in development for pervious concrete include compressive strength, flexural strength, in-place permeability and in-place density/porosity. Participation in the development of these proposed standards is welcome, particularly from specifiers, producers, contractors, academia and other interested parties.
Technical Information: Michael Davy, CEMEX, Cocoa, Fla.
ASTM Staff: Scott Orthey