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Pervious concrete uses the same materials as
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conventional concrete, with the exceptions that the
Paving Project Assistance fine aggregate typically is eliminated entirely, and the
Concrete Answers Hub Site size distribution (grading) of the coarse aggregate is
kept narrow, allowing for relatively little particle
packing. This provides the useful hardened
properties, but also results in a mix that requires
Other Concrete Sites different considerations in mixing, placing,
compaction, and curing. Proportioning pervious
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concrete mixtures is different compared to procedures
Concrete Parking.org used for conventional concrete and the mixture
proportions are somewhat less forgiving than
Concrete Streets.org conventional concrete mixturestight controls on
batching of all of the ingredients are necessary to provide the desired results.
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When developing pervious concrete mixtures, the goal is to obtain a target or design void content that will
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allow for the percolation of water. The void content of a pervious concrete mixture will depend on the
Flowable Fill.org characteristics of the ingredients, how they are proportioned and how the mixture is consolidated.
Pervious concrete is typically designed for a void content in the range of 15% to 30%. Generally as the
Green Concrete.info void content decreases, the strength increases and permeability decreases. For pervious concrete
mixtures it is even more important to verify through trial batches that the mixture achieves the
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characteristics assumed or targeted when developing mixture proportions. Frequently one finds that even
Pervious Pavement.org though the design void content is 20%, when the pervious concrete mixture is proportioned, the
experimentally measured void content is considerably different. This depends on the workability of the
Roller Compacted.org mixture and amount of consolidation.
Table 3 provides typical ranges of materials proportions in pervious concrete. Additionally, NRMCA has
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developed a pervious concrete mixture proportioning guideline and spreadsheet software that will develop
trial batch mixture proportions using volumetric considerations and make the necessary calculations for
production batches when mixture proportions are finalized after trial batch evaluations.
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Cementitious materials

As in traditional concreting, portland cements (ASTM C 150, C 1157) and blended cements (ASTM C 595,
Parking Lot Projects C 1157) may be used in pervious concrete. In addition, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs)
such as fly ash, pozzolans (ASTM C 618), and ground-granulated blast furnace slag (ASTM C 989) may be
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used. Testing materials beforehand through trial batching is strongly recommended so that properties that
Publications can be important to performance (setting time, rate of strength development, porosity, and permeability,
Link to us among others) can be determined.

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, pozzolans, and slag can be added
to the cement. These influence concrete performance, setting time, rate of strength development,
porosity, permeability, etc.
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The key to high-performance concrete is the use of SCMs. Silica fume, fly ash, and blast furnace slag
all increase durability by decreasing permeability and cracking

Silica fume is a byproduct of silicone production. It consists of superfine spherical particles which
significantly increase the strength and durability of concrete. Used frequently for high-rise buildings, it
produces concrete that exceeds 20,000 psi compressive strength. Silica fume can replace cement in
quantities of 5-12%.

Fly ash is the waste byproduct of burning coal in electrical power plants; it used to be landfilled, but
now a significant amount is used in cement. This material can be used to replace 5-65% of the Portland
cement

Blast furnace slag is the waste byproduct of steel manufacturing. It imparts added strength and
durability to concrete, and can replace 20-70% of the cement in the mix.

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Aggregate

Fine aggregate content is limited in pervious

concrete, and coarse aggregate is kept to a narrow
gradation. Commonly-used gradations of coarse
aggregate include ASTM C 33 No. 67 ( in. to No.
4), No. 8 ( in. to No. 16), and No. 89 ( in. to
No. 50) sieves [in metric units: No. 67 (19.0 to
4.75 mm), No. 8 (9.5 to 2.36 mm), and No. 89
(9.5 to 1.18 mm)]. Single-sized aggregate up to 1
inch (25 mm) has also been used. ASTM D 448
also may be used for defining gradings. A narrow
grading is the important characteristic. Larger
aggregates provide a rougher surface. Recent uses
for pervious concrete have focused on parking lots,
low-traffic pavements, and pedestrian walkways.
For these applications, the smallest-sized
aggregate feasible is used for aesthetic reasons.
Coarse aggregate size 89 (-in. or 9.5-mm top
size) has been used extensively for parking lot and
pedestrian applications, dating back 20 years or
more in Florida. Figure 4 shows two different
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aggregate sizes used in pervious concretes to
create different surface textures.

Generally, A/C ratios are in the range of 4.0 to 4.5

Figure 4. Pervious concrete is made with a narrow by mass. These A/C ratios lead to aggregate
aggregate gradation, but different surface textures can contents of between about 2200 lb/yd and 3000
be obtained through the use of different maximum lb/yd (1300 kg/m to 1800 kg/m). Higher A/C
sizes. The concrete in the box contained a 1/4-in. (6.5- ratios have been used in laboratory studies, but
mm) top size, while that below used a larger top size, significant reductions in strength result.
3/4 in. (20 mm). Both rounded aggregate (gravel) and angular
aggregate (crushed stone) have been used to
produce pervious concrete. Typically, higher strengths are achieved with rounded aggregates, although
angular aggregates are generally suitable. Aggregate for pavements should conform to ASTM D 448, while
ASTM C 33 covers aggregates for use in general concrete construction. As in conventional concrete,
pervious concrete requires aggregates to be close to a saturated, surface-dry condition, or close
monitoring of the moisture condition of aggregates should allow for accounting for the free moisture on
aggregates. It should be noted that control of water is important in pervious concrete mixtures. Water
absorbed from the mixture by aggregates that are too dry can lead to dry mixtures that do not place or
compact well. However, extra water in aggregates contributes to the mixing water and increases the
water-to-cement ratio of the concrete.

Water

Water-to-cement ratios between 0.27 and 0.36 are used routinely with proper inclusion of chemical
admixtures, and those as high as 0.40 have been used successfully. The relation between strength and
water-to-cement ratio is not clear for pervious concrete, because unlike conventional concrete, the total
paste content is less than the voids content between the aggregates. Therefore, making the paste
stronger may not always lead to increased overall strength. Water content should be tightly controlled.
The correct water content has been described as giving the mixture a sheen, without flowing off of the
aggregate. A handful of pervious concrete formed into a ball will not crumble or lose its void structure as
the paste flows into the spaces between the aggregates (see Figure 5). Water quality is discussed in ACI
301. As a general rule, water that is drinkable is suitable for use in concrete. Recycled water from
concrete production operations may be used as well, if it meets provisions of ASTM C 94 or AASHTO M
157. If there is a question as to the suitability of a water source, trial batching with job materials is
recommended.

Admixtures

Chemical admixtures are used in pervious concrete to obtain special properties, as in conventional
concrete. Because of the rapid setting time associated with pervious concrete, retarders or hydration-
stabilizing admixtures are commonly used. Use of chemical admixtures should closely follow
manufacturers recommendations. Air-entraining admixtures can reduce freeze-thaw damage in pervious
concrete, and are used where freeze-thaw is a concern. ASTM C 494 governs chemical admixtures, and
ASTM C 260 governs air-entraining admixtures. Proprietary admixture products that facilitate placement
and protection of pervious pavements are also used.

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Figure 5. Samples of pervious concrete with different

water contents, formed into a ball: (a) too little water,
(b) proper amount of water, and (c) too much water.

Table 3. Typical* Ranges of Materials Proportions in Pervious Concrete**

Proportions, lb/yd Proportions, kg/m

Cementitious materials 450 to 550 267 to 326

Total Aggregate 2000 to 2500 1190 to 1480

Water: cement ratio*** (by mass) 0.27 to 0.36

Fine aggregate 0 to 500 lbs 0 to 297

* These proportions are given for information only. Successful mixture design will depend on properties of
the particular materials used and must be tested in trial batches to establish proper proportions and
determine expected behavior. Concrete producers may have mixture proportions for pervious concrete
optimized for performance with local materials. In such instances, those proportions are preferable.
** Chemical admixtures, particularly retarders and hydration stabilizers, are also used commonly, at
dosages recommended by the manufacturer. Use of supplementary cementitious materials, such as fly
ash and slag, is common as well.
*** Higher ratios have been used, but significant reductions in strength and durability may result.

NRMCA Pervious Concrete Mixture Proportioning

The following mixture proportioning approach can be used to quickly arrive at pervious concrete mixture
proportions that would help attain void content of freshly mixed pervious concrete when measured in
accordance with ASTM C1688 similar to the target value.

1. Determine the dry-rodded unit weight of the aggregate and calculate the void content.
2. Estimate the approximate percentage and volume of paste needed. The paste volume (PV) is then
estimated as follows:

Vp (%) = Aggregate Void Content (%) + CI (%) - Vvoid (%)

Where CI = compaction index and
Vvoid = design void content of the pervious concrete mix.
The value of CI can be varied based on the anticipated consolidation to be used in the field. For

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greater consolidation effort a compaction index value of 1 to 2% may be more reasonable. For
lighter level of consolidation a value of 7 to 8% can be used. NRMCA used a value of 5% to get
similar values between measured fresh pervious concrete void content (ASTM C1688) and design
void content. Using a smaller value for CI (%) will reduce the paste volume.

3. Calculate the paste volume, Vp in ft3 per cubic yard of pervious concrete:

Vp, ft3 = Vp (%) 27

4. Select the w/c ratio for the paste. Recommended values are in the range of 0.25 to 0.36.
5. Calculate the absolute volume of cement

Where: RDc is the specific gravity of cement (typically 3.15)

6. Calculate the volume of water. Vw

Vw, ft3 = Vp Vc

7. Calculate the volume of SSD aggregate. Vagg

Vagg = 27 (Vp + Vvoid)

Where: Vvoid is the design void content for the pervious concrete mix.

8. Convert the volumes to weights of ingredients per cubic yard and for trial batches:
Cement (lb/yd3) = Vc RDc 62.4
Water (lb/yd3) = Vw 62.4
SSD Coarse Aggregate (lb/yd3) = Vagg RDagg 62.4

Trial batches are prepared to evaluate mix characteristics of the pervious concrete mixture. Make
appropriate adjustments are made to account for aggregate moisture content. If paste is high, pick a
lower value or change CI (%). Avoid excessive cementitious content should be avoided. The consistency
of the paste can be evaluated separately to ensure that it is not too dry or causes paste run down by
being too wet. The density of the mixture should be measured in accordance with ASTM C1688 from which
the void content is calculated to ensure that values are in line with the design void content. Then evaluate
mixture for consistency, specification requirements and placement method used by the pervious concrete
contractor.
NRMCA has developed a pervious concrete mixture proportioning guideline and spreadsheet software that
will develop trial batch mixture proportions using volumetric considerations and make the necessary
calculations for production batches when mixture proportions are finalized after trial batch evaluations.
The guideline and spreadsheet software can be purchased here: NRMCA Pervious Concrete Mixture
Proportioning Software

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