Evaluation of Surface Infiltration Testing Procedures in Permeable Pavement Systems
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 3
Abstract
The ASTM method for measuring the infiltration rate of in-place pervious concrete provides limited guidance on how to select test locations and how results should be interpreted to assess surface condition and maintenance needs. The ASTM method is written specifically for pervious concrete, so additional research is needed to determine the applicability of this method to other permeable pavement types. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency constructed a 0.4-ha parking lot surfaced with permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP), pervious concrete (PC), and porous asphalt (PA). Surface infiltration testing was conducted for almost three years, and two methods were used to select test locations: monthly testing at randomly selected locations and quarterly testing at fixed locations. Infiltration rates were significantly different for each pavement type. With almost three years of use, maintenance has yet to be required, although infiltration has decreased in areas immediately downgradient of impermeable asphalt driving lanes and to a greater extent where disturbed soil was present. The longevity was attributed to the clogging mechanism. Runoff transports solids to the upgradient edge of the permeable pavement surface where the solids are filtered and accumulate as runoff infiltrates. As surface clogging progresses from the upgradient edge, the method of selecting a random location across the entire area typically resulted in most locations being on an unaffected area. This did not produce a meaningful change in infiltration rate to suggest maintenance was needed for the entire surface. The results of this study indicate that the ASTM C1701 method may be applicable to PICP; however, for PA, further evaluation is needed. It is recommended that future infiltration testing should strategically select fixed test locations based on expected clogging patterns. Furthermore, less water can be used, enabling more tests to be conducted at strategic locations over the pavement surface area to better determine locations of clogging.
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Acknowledgments
This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the National Risk Management Research Laboratory administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The authors would like to thank PARS Environmental for conducting the infiltration measurements, and Mr. Thomas O’Connor, Dr. Amy Rowe, and Dr. Emilie Stander for their initial work in setting up the project.
Disclaimer
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Research and Development, funded and managed the research described in this paper. It has been subjected to the Agency’s peer and administrative review and has been approved for external publication. Any opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. Therefore, no official endorsement should be inferred. Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 3 • March 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 1, 2013
Accepted: Nov 14, 2013
Published online: Jan 6, 2014
Published in print: Mar 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jun 6, 2014
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