Permeable pavement is superior in functions such as reducing noise, improving traffic safety, and protecting urban water environment. However, contaminants on the pavement due to spillage of transported goods, deposits from vehicle wear and tear, and natural settlement can cause the risk of blockage when these contaminants enter the interior of the permeable pavement. Timely maintenance of permeable performance can effectively solve the degradation of environmental performance of permeable pavement caused by clogging. Consequently, exploring permeable pavement clogging patterns can support determining the timing of maintenance. In this paper, simulation clogging material gradations were formulated based on actual road clogging conditions. According to the self-developed permeable pavement clogging simulator, the clogging behavior of permeable pavement was comprehensively explored, taking external conditions, mix proportion, structural combination, and long-term clogging conditions into consideration. Moreover, the effect of external conditions on the clogging pattern was simulated by varying the rainfall intensity and clogging particle size. Furthermore, the effects of gradation, void rate, nominal maximum particle size, and the overwater section on the clogging resistance were investigated. The clogging-sensitive particle size under different structures was determined. It is demonstrated that the water head height is the crucial factor on the clogging behavior. Greater rainfall intensity and water head height lead to more severe clogging. The increase of nominal maximum aggregate size is beneficial to the anti-clogging ability of permeable pavement. Also, the clogging material with small particle sizes is more likely to cause structural clogging. Finally, the evaluation index of clogging level was put forward, which divides the clogging level of permeable pavement into mild, moderate, and severe. The research can support the rationalization, intelligence, and convenience of permeable pavement maintenance timing decisions. Meanwhile, there is key significance to the promotion application and performance maintenance. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
