Temperature and Testing Impacts on Surface Infiltration Rates of Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete placements in many locations are subject to cold weather conditions and varying levels of clogging and rejuvenation. This study focuses on field surface hydraulic performance in correlation with changes in ambient temperature, clogging, and performance after rejuvenation. Previous laboratory tests indicate that there may be some reclogging in pervious concrete after rejuvenation. It is also hypothesized that colder water temperatures may reduce hydraulic performance. A modified version of a standard surface infiltration test was used to test infiltration rates at four locations on a placement in Pullman, Washington, over the course of two winters. It appears that the surface infiltration rates may vary slightly with temperature variations, but insignificantly with respect to the clogging over time from runon and atmospheric deposition. However, it is recommended that infiltration testing carried on in warmer months be used conservatively in areas that experience colder temperatures. In addition, it is recommended that a second infiltration test be performed when evaluating performance, especially after rejuvenation, as some clogging of new or dislodged fines might occur in the first test.