A methodology for hydrologic design of porous-concrete pavements

Abstract

Introduction: porous concrete pavements represent an effective solution for reducing surface runoff in urban environments, contributing to the sustainable development of cities. These pavements allow water infiltration, which is crucial to mitigate the effects of urbanization, such as flooding. However, the infiltration capacity of the pavement depends not only on the porous concrete wearing course but also on the characteristics of the granular base and the natural soil subgrade, requiring an integrated analysis of the layered system.
Objectives: the main objective of this study is to present a simplified methodology based on the Horton model to define the hydrologically necessary thickness of the granular base and simulate the movement of water in the porous pavement system. This methodology aims to facilitate the design and analysis of permeable pavements in urban settings.
Methodology: the methodology is based on the Horton model, which is used to simulate water infiltration into soils. The necessary thickness of the granular base is defined through a simplified approach that takes into account both the characteristics of the pavement and the underlying layers. Subsequently, a simulation of water movement within the system is performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed design. To illustrate its application, a typical hydrological design case is presented.
Results: the application of the proposed methodology to a typical design case allows for the determination of the appropriate thickness of the granular base required to ensure efficient water infiltration. The results show that the model can be used as an effective tool to calculate and simulate water behavior in porous concrete pavement systems.
Conclusions: the simplified method presented is useful for engineers involved in the hydrological design of permeable pavements, as it provides a quick and effective way to calculate the thickness of the granular base and simulate water movement. Additionally, this methodology can be of great value in academic training in urban drainage, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.