No-Fines
Pervious
Concrete
lar Paving
by Richard C. Meininger
Results of a laboratory study of no-
fines pervious concrete for paving are
presented. Conclusions are drawn
regarding the percent air voids needed
for adequate permeability, the optimum
water-cement ratio range, and the
amounts of compaction and curing
required. Recommendations are made
regarding appropriate uses for this type
of concrete.
o-fines, pervious concrete is
N
being used for paving in sit-
uations where it is desired to
have rainfall or surface wa-
ter percolate through the pavement
into a permeable base. The elimina-
tion of fine aggregate produces
concrete in which the coarse aggre-
gate particles are coated with a wa-
ter-cement paste that bonds them
together at their contact points. The
fairly large voids left between the
coarse aggregate particles allow the
concrete to be permeable to water.
This concrete is used in Florida to
eliminate storm water run-off from
parking lots and reduce the need for
separate storm water retention
ponds in shopping centers and de-
velopments. It is particularly useful
in areas where local or state regula-
tions require that storm water be
retained on the site to recharge the
groundwater system with fresh wa-
ter and to reduce the need for storm
sewers.
Data and references are available from NRMCA-
NAA, 900 Spring St., Silver Spring, MD 20910.
20
Fig. 1 - No-fines concrete facilitates drainage to a storm
water retention basin.
No-fines concrete is also used for
paving in greenhouses and nurseries
where it is undesirable to have free
water on paved surfaces. It permits
the surface to appear relatively dry
with no streams or puddles of water
from irrigation of plants or nursery
stock. Use of pervious concrete also
allows a parking lot to be built
around trees, without cutting off air
and moisture to the roots below.
In extreme cases, to impound the
needed amount of rainfall in heavy
storms, parking lots are being de-
signed to store water not only in
voids of the pavement or base ma-
terial, but also on top of the pave-
ment. These parking lots temporar-
ily store an additional 6 in. (15 cm)
of rainfall up to the curb line on a
completely fIat 101. Their entrance
aprons must be humped up enough
to retain the design storm water
amount and not allow it to run out
into the adjacent road or gutter.
No fines pervious concrete has
been used as an open-graded drain-
age material in bases under side-
walks and light duty pavement, and
also as drainage layers under high-
way shoulders, to allow water trap-
ped under pavements to flow more
rapidly out of the pavement struc-
ture. A double-barrelled approach
uses no-fines concrete plus a drain
pipe to a small storm water reten-
tion basin (Fig. 1).
Laboratory research
Several research series were con-
ducted in the National Aggregates
Association (NAA) - National
Ready Mixed Concrete Association
(NRMCA) Joint Research Labora-
tory to develop information con-
cerning proportioning methods as
well as methods of measuring the
strength and permeability of no-
fines pervious concrete. Batch sizes
ranging from 1 to 3 ft3 (0.028 to
0.085 m') were mixed in rotating
drum laboratory mixers. Labora-
tory stock Type I cement was used
with two sizes of stock coarse ag-
gregate: moderately rounded gravel
aggregates of % in. (9.5 mm) maxi-
mum size (ASTM C 33, No 8 size),
and % in. (19 mm) maximum size
(ASTM C 33, No. 67 size). Fig. 2
shows the end of a broken 6 x 12 in.
(152 x 305 mm) strength cylinder
and a 4 x 14 in. (102 x 356 mm) cyl-
inder used in freezing and thawing
tests (both cylinders were made
from laboratory concrete contain-
ing No. 8 size aggregate).
The properties of no-fines con-
crete depend not only on its pro-
portions but also on its compac-
tion. To better understand the ef-
fect of compaction on concrete air
void content, unit weight, and com-
Keywords: coarse aggregates; laboratories; no-fines
concretes; research; voids.
Concrete International
 125

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-:
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115
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.
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z 110
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BATCH A, w/c

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= 0.34
~v ~
1
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./.ATCH B, W/C = 0.31

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100
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METHODS OF COMPACTION (AND 28-DAY COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
OF CYLINDER FROM BATCH A, BATCH B)
l. NO COMPACTION, CONCRETE SCOOPED INTO MOLO
2. 2 LAYERS, TILT ANO OROP MOLO
3. 2 LAYERS, 5 TAMPS EACH OF THE TAMPER (1355, 975 psi)
4. 2 LAYERS, 5 OROPS EACH OF THE TAMPER (1340 psi, 1050 psi)
5. 2 LAYERS, 5 DROPS EACH, PROCTOR HAW1ER (1360 psi, 1100 psi)
6. 2 LAYERS, 15 TAMPS EACH OF THE TAMPER (1550 psi, 1395 psi)
7. 3 LAYERS, 25 DROPS EACH, PROCTOR HAMMER (1945 psi, 1540 psi)
8. ASTM C 31 ROOOING PROCEOURE, 3 LAYERS (2475 psi, 2095 psi)

Fig. 2 - No-fines pervious concrete strength test and Fig. 3 - Cylinder unit weights and strengths for eight
freeze-thaw test cylinders. different compaction methods.

pressive strength, concrete batches • C 31 rodding compaction; 25 Compressive strength range:

were mixed at two different water-
cement ratios (0.31 and 0.34) and 6
x 12 in. (152 x 305 mm) cylinders
were then made using eight differ-
ent procedures:
• No compaction (just scoop con-
crete in).
• Fill in two layers; tilt and drop
cylinder after each.
• Two layers; five tamp cornpac-
tion of each with 5 lb circular
tamper.
• Two layers; five drops of the
tamper for each layer.
• Two layers; five drops each using
a proctor hammer.
• Two layers; 15 tamps each layer.
• Three layers; 25 drops each with
the proctor hammer.
strokes on each of 3 layers. 980 to 1360 psi
The resulting cylinder unit (6.8 to 9.4 MPa)
weights and strengths are shown in Medium (15 tamps on each of two
Fig. 3. Unit weight ranged from a layers)
low of about 105 lh/ft ' (1682 kg/ Unit weight range:
m') with no compaction up to about 111 to 1141b/ft3
120 lb /ft" (1922 kg z'rn') with the (1778 to 1826 kg/rri')
ASTM C 31 rodding procedure. Compressive strength range:
The cylinders with no compaction 1400 to 1550 psi
were unsatisfactory because they (9.6 to 10.7 MPa)
contained large voids and discon- Heavy (C 31 rodding compaction [3
tinuities, so three levels represent- layers])
ing different amounts of cornpac- Unit weight range:
tion that might be obtained in pav- 120 to 122 Ib/ft3
ing were chosen for future work: (1922 to 1954 kg/ru')
Compressive strength range:
Light (5 tamp compaction of each 2100 to 2480 psi
of two layers) (14.5 to 17.1 MPa)
Unit weight range: The tamper used for the 5 and 15
107 to 111 Ib/ft3 tamp compaction level was made
(1714 to 1778 kg/rn ') from pipe fittings. It weighs 5.0 lb

b .t~ 4'~~"~·"~;"~~~~¡__JL~ZL:~~... LUL~:':.

Fig. 4 - Bottom surface of percolation specimens with Fig. 5 - Bottom surface of percolation specimens with
open channels (flow). blocked channels (no flow).

August 1988 21
 3000
Pervious Concrete
continued
.~ 2500
Ul
o.
:2
E-<
t!)
z 2000
6, NO. 8 COARSE AGGREGATE ""
P::
E-<
U)

~ 30~~--~~----+------+------4------4--4
3::
""
:>
H
U) 1500
U)
~
""
P::
e,
~ z
o
~ 25r------+------~~~~~----~----~~ u
u 1000
¡:¡:; ><
ril
~
~ Cl
co
N
8 20
Z 500
ril
~Z
o MIXER HOLDBACK
u
¡:¡:; DRY
H
.:¡;
15
.25 .30 .35 .40 .45 .50 .30 .35 .40 .45 .50
WATER-CEMENT RATIO WATER-CEMENT RATIO
Fig. 6 - Relationship between w/c and air content for two Fig. 7 - Relationship between 28-day compressive
compaction levels. strength and water-cement ratio.

(2.3 kg) and has a vertical handle Flexural strength was measured on vious concrete was measured in a
with a horizontal circular metal, 4- 6 x 6 x 36 in. (152 x 152 x 914 mm) percolation test rig consisting of a 6
in. (l02-mm) diameter tamping beams using two breaks per beam x 12 in. (152 x 305 mm) plastic cyl-
head. with third-point loading (ASTM C inder mold with the bottom cut out
78). Beams were prepared to simu- placed over a cured half-height (6 x
Test methods late the same two compaction levels 6 in. [152 x 152 mm]) cylinder made
unit weight of the concrete was used on cylinders. For the light from the test concrete. Mastic was
measured in a 0.25 fe (0.007 m ') compaction they were prepared in placed on the sides of the 6 x 6 in.
unit weight bucket using the 5 tamp one layer using the 5 lb (2.3 kg) (152 x 152 mm) cylinder to prevent
two layer compaction. Unit weights tamper, and for the heavy cornpac- water flowing out the sides, and
were also determined on cylinders tion using two layers and the ASTM then the plastic cylinder mold was
made by both the light compaction C 31 rodding procedure. slid down about 3 in. (76 mm) over
(5 tamps, 2 layers) and heavy com- Air void content of the concrete the percolation cylinder.
paction (C 31 rodding, 3 layers), was calculated gravimetrically from Water was run through the per-
and on flexural beams made at two the unit weight data determined colation cylinder for a few minutes
compaction levels. from a11 types of specimens (unit to condition it, and then the water
Compressive strength was mea- weight bucket, 6 x 12 in. [152 x 305 level aboye the cylinder was raised
sured on 6 x 12 in. (152 x 305 mm) mm] cylinders, and flexural beams). to more than 5 in. (127 mm) aboye
cylinders made using the light corn- The rate at which water could the cylinder and the hose shut off.
paction and heavy compaction. percolate through the no-fines per- The percolation rate was measured
by timing the drop in the water SUf-
face from a point 5 in. (127 mm)
aboye the top surface of the cylin-
Table 1 - Detailed data for light compaction tests der to a point 1 in. (25 mm) aboye
(5 tamp compaction; No. 8 coarse aggregate; the cylinder. This was converted to
aggregate·cement ratio = 6) inches of rainfa11 transmitted per
minute by dividing 240 by the num-
Coarse ber of seconds it took the water
Cement Water aggregate Air Strength Percolation
(psi)
level to drop 4 in. (102 mm).
w/c (lb/ydJ) (lb/yd') (lb/yd') (OJo) (in./min)
Fig. 4 (flow) and Fig. 5 (no flow)
0.51 440 224 2640 22 1350 5 shows the bottom surface of sorne
0.47 430 203 2575 23 1370 4
0.43 430 184 2570 25 1500 10 of the percolation specimens. The
0.39 425 165 2550 27 1400 30 voids between the coarse aggregate
0.35 415 145 2520 29 1250 40 particles of specimens with a higher
0.31 410 125 2430 32 1010 51 paste content can become blocked
0.27 395 106 2370 33 870 59
so that the channels in the specimen

22 Concrete International
Table 2 - Cernent content
ranges for strength test
results shown in Fig. 7 (No.
67 coarse aggregate)
a/c w/c
4 0.25 to 0.49 600 to 680
6 0.25 to 0.49 400 to 450
10 0.27 to 0.51
250 to 270
Table 3 - Effective b/bo
values
b/bo
5-Tarnp
070
Sand NO.8 No. 67 No.8
O 0.92 0.92 0.99
10 0.84 0.85 0.93
20 0.78 0.78 0.85
are not continuous in sorne cases,
causing a no flow condition.
Water-cernent ratio
To investigate the effect of wa-
ter-cernent ratio, a series of batches
were rnixed with ratios varying frorn
0.51 down to 0.27. In this series a
fixed aggregate-cernent ratio (a/c =
6) was used with the No. 8 coarse
aggregate. Here basically relatively
fixed cernent and aggregate con-
tents were used, and as the water
content of the batches increased, the
water-cernent paste occupied more
of the voids in the coarse aggregate,
thus lowering the air void content.
Fig. 6 shows the gravirnetric air
content of the light and rnediurn
cornpaction batches calculated frorn
the unit weight data. As water-ce-
rnent ratio increased the air void
content decreased in a linear rela-
tionship, with the light cornpaction
having air voids about 2 percent
higher than the rnediurn cornpac-
tion. Observation of the consis-
tency of the water-cernent paste and
how the concrete handled in the
mixer indicated that water-cernent
ratios in the 0.35 to 0.45 range are
best for efficient coating of the ag-
gregate. Low water-cernent ratios
August 1988
100
80
Cernent
(lb/ydJ) e
'e
<,
e 60
Z
8E-<
o<t:
H
40
o
U
1>:
¡:iI
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20
C 31
No. 67 10 20 30 40
AIR CONTENT, PERCENT
0.99
0.93 Fig. 8 - Minimum air void content of
0.86 15% is needed for flow.
tended to cause balling and sticking
of the concrete in the mixer, result-
ing in substantial hold-back of con-
crete when the drum was tilted for
discharge. High water-cernent ra-
tios gave a thin paste that could run
off the aggregate during placernent
resulting in increased variability and
blockage of water flow channels.
Table 1 shows detailed data for
the light cornpaction. As the air
content increased frorn 22 percent
to 33 percent, the rate of percola-
tion increased from about 5 to 50
in./rnin (127 to 1270 rnrn/rnin). The
cornpressive strength appeared to be
optirnurn in the mid-range of water-
cernent ratios. At high water-ce-
rnent ratio the strength was lower,
and at very low water-cernent ratios
(where the air content is higher)
strengths becarne very low, because
the past volurne was greatly re-
duced and did not bind the aggre-
gate particles together as well.
Test results for No. 67
coarse aggregate
A series of batches were rnixed
using the % in. (19 mm) rnaxirnurn
size coarse aggregate (No. 67) and
three cernent content ranges gov-
erned by the aggregate-cement and
water-cernent ratios used (Table 2).
•..<
Ul
3000
o.
;;
E-<
o
~1>: 2000
E-<
Ul
¡..¡
IW. 67 C. AGG
~
Ul 1000
Ul
¡:.¡
A/C = 6
1>:
p..
~ W/C = 0.38
o
(.)
10 20 30
PERCENT SAND
Fig. 9 - Adding 10 to 20% sand
increases compressive strength.
The strength data frorn these
mixtures is shown in Fig. 7, along
with the strength data for those us-
ing No. 8 size coarse aggregate.
Again, the trend is to have better
strengths in the rnid-range of water-
cernent ratios for both sizes of
coarse aggregate. The traditional
water-cernent ratio law does not
hold for these mixtures beca use of
the large differences in air-void
content and the difficulty of han-
dling and cornpacting mixtures with
very low water-cernent ratios.
The percolation rate becornes very
low (or no flow was observed) when
the air void content of the speci-
rnens become as low as 15 percent
(Fig. 8). It appears that void con-
tent values need to be 15 percent or
more to assure flow.
Effect of adding sand
The strength of no-fines concrete
irnproves when a srnall arnount of
sand is added (10 to 20 percent as a
percentage of the total aggregate
weight) (Fig. 9). As sand is added to
the mixture it tends to fill the voids,
reducing the air content frorn 26
percent to 22 and 17 percent in this
case, and raising the compres sive
strength frorn about 1500 psi (10.3
MPa) to about 2500 psi (17.2 MPa).
23
Pervious Concrete
continued

1.0

NO. 8 C. AGG.

40 0.9
E-<
Z
>il
U
tt:
>il
o.. 30 0.8
~
E-<
Z o
>il .c
E-< <,
Z .c
o 0.7
u 20 5-TAMP
o:;
H
,c¡;

10 0.6

NO. 8 C. AGG.

O 0.5
O 10 20 30 40 50 o 10 20 30 40 50
PASTE CONTENT, PERCENT PASTE CONTENT, %
Fig. 10 - Relationship between paste and air contents for Fig. 11 - Relationship between paste content and b/b, for
two levels of compaction and three sand contents. two levels of compaction and three sand contents.

Proportioning relationships
A series of batches of concrete
was mixed, all using the same mid-
range w/c of 0.38, and two size of
coarse aggregate - No. 8 and No.
67. For each aggregate size, sand
percentages were varied from O per-
cent up to 50 percent. At sand con-
tents over about 30 percent the con-
crete became more normal in con-
sistency and did not have the
content of larger voids necessary to
allow water to flow through.
An example of the data for the Vs
in. (9.5 mm) aggregate (No. 8) is
shown in Fig. 10 for light cornpac-
tion (5 tamp; solid lines) and heavy
compaction (C 31; dashed lines).
For each condition sand contents of
O, 10, and 20 percent are shown.
The family of curves for the % in.
(19 mm) aggregate (No. 67) are very
similar. These curves could be used
to proportion concrete within the
desired air content range of about
15 to 22 pecent (enough voids to al-
low water flow but not reduce
strength to an unacceptable level).
For example, one could pick a se-
ries of batches along the 20 percent
air line at a w/c = 0.38. In increas-
ing order of paste content the trial
batches would be
for C 31 compaction:
13OJo paste volume; 20% sand
15% paste volume; 10% sand
17% paste volume; 0% sand
for 5 tamp compaction:
18% paste volume; 20% sand
20% paste volume; 10OJo sand
22% paste volume; 0% sand

Proportianing procedure
1. Required data on coarse aggregate:
SSD specific gravity; absorption; dry-rodded unit
weight
2. Select a mid-rangc w!c
(0.33 to 0.45)
3. Select a trial b/b: (Table 3)
4. Calculate batch weight of coarse aggregate
(b/bo) (dry-rodded unit weight) (batch volume);
correct to SSD
5. Calculate absolute volume of coarse aggregate
6. Select target air void content
10-15% - little or no flow; good strength
15-20% - permeable; fair strength
20-30% - highly permeable; poor strength
7. Calculate absolute volume of air
8. Calculate absolute volume of sand, (if any)
9. Calculate sand batch weight (if any)
10. Calculate absolute volume of water-cement paste
11. Calculate batch weight of cement
12. Calculate batch weight of water
13. Mix trial batch and determine:
unit weight; air void content; yield; strength; etc.
for compaction level desired (or several compaction
levels)
14. Adjust batch weights

24 Concrete International
 6000

COMPACTION
50 -- 5 TAMP
~ 5000 -- C 31
:> • .-1
fJJ PERCENT SAND
~E-< o.
O, 10, 20
oex: 40 ::C
o
~cr; E-<
t!l
4000
o Z
~
o cr;
oex:
E-<
.....:¡ ti)
30
oex:
cr; ~ 3000
~ :>
z H
ti)
H
ti)
::E ~
cr;
Z
20 P<
H
~
O 2000
ti)
Q U
H
O
:>
E-< 10
z 1000
w NO. 8 C. AGG.
U
cr;
W
P<

o
o 10 20 30 40 50 5 10 15 20 25 30
PASTE CONTENT, PERCENT AIR CONTENT, PERCENT
Fig. 12 - Relationship between paste content and VMA Fig. 13 - Relationship between gravimetric air content
for two levels of compaction and three sand contents. and 28-day compressive strength of cylinders.

Another approach to proportion-
ing that appears to work well is the
use of the b rb ; concept as ern-
ployed in A'C] 211.1 for propor-
tioning normal weight concrete.
Here the ratio b/b; compares the
amount of coarse aggregate in a
unit volume of concrete with the
amount of coarse aggregate in a like
volume of dry rodded coarse aggre-
gate (ASTM e 29 Test Method).
Fig. 11 shows calculated b/b; val-
ues for the series of batches with
No. 8 coarse aggregate at various
paste contents, for 2 levels of com-
paction and O, 10, and 20 percent
sand contents. For practical paste-
contents aboye about 10 percent the
curves are relatively flat, indicating
that b/b; (amount of coarse aggre-
gate in the concrete) is relatively
constant and not affected by the
past content. However, compaction
level and sand content do affect the
amount of coarse aggregate in the
concrete. The b/b; curves for the %
in. (19 mm) (No. 67) coarse aggre-
gate are very similar to those for the
Vs in. (9.5 mm) (No. 8) size.
Table 3 shows the effective b/b,
values for the series of concrete
batches. The b/b; concept, in using
the dry-rodded unit weight of
coarse aggregate, automatically
compensates for the effect of dif- define the fIow Ino flow boundary
ferent coarse aggregate particle for air void contents in the lOto 25
shape, grading, and specific grav- percent range, using a series of mix-
ity. Therefore, these values should tures with O, 10, and 20 percent
be usable for trial batches with any sand. Water percolation rate was
normal weight coarse aggregate. measured on specimens made from
They can be used to estimate the each mixture, and both compressive
amount of coarse aggregate per cu- and flexural strength was deter-
bic yard, if the level of compaction mined.
in the resulting construction can be Fig. 13 shows the relationship of
selected accurately. compressive strength to air void
The same data can be plotted in a content as calculated gr avirnetri-
different way (Fig. 12) to show cally from the unit weight of the
voids in the mineral aggregate cylinders. All test conditions are in-
(VMA) in the same way that as- cluded in this data. Fig. 14 shows
phalt technicians look at the voids flexural strength data versus the air
between the aggregate skeleton in content calculated from the unit
an asphaltic concrete mixture. In weight of each beam specimen.
that context VMA is the voids in the These mixtures are highly depen-
mixture of coarse aggregate and dent on the void content.
fine aggregate (i f any is used). Fig. 15 shows the relationship of
However, I feel the b/b; approach flexural strength to compressive
is easier to use. strength for this series and for other
fairly low strength regular concrete
data from the NAA-NRMeA Joint
Comprehensive example Research Laboratory. The heavy
A series of batches were mixed at compaction data (black circles) ap-
two compaction levels (light [5 tamp pear to be more in line with pre-
compaction] and heavy [e 31 corn- vious laboratory data, while the
paction]) and with two sizes of light compaction (open circles) show
coarse aggregate (No. 8 and No. a higher flexural strength than
67). All were mixed using a water- might be expected for the corre-
cement ratio of 0.39. The principal- sponding compressive strength.
purpose of this series was to better Sorne of the explanation for this

August 1988 25
 700

D
600

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o.
500 •.-1
Ul
a.
:i
500 ..
. ..
. /f..
. .
E-< e
i
(él
:z:
¡,:¡
e .. D
a
E-< 400 ¡:>:;
o E-< 400 e • ·a
Z Ul
W e l' •

... .. . ..
p:; ,_:¡
e
E-<
Ul ~p
H ><
¡,:¡
o
300
~::J
X
W
H
,_:¡
rx..
300
-:
tLo
200 200

100 ~----~----~----~----~----~----~
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
5 10 15 20 25 30
AIR CONTENT, PERCENT COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, psi

Fig. 14 - Relationship between gravimetric air content Fig. 15 - Relationship between flexural strength and
and flexural strength of beams. compressive strength.

appears to be related to a difference Flexural strength: where it might beco me saturated

of about 2.5 percent air content of
the concrete as compacted in the
beam mold versus that in the cylin-
der mold using light compaction.
The air content was higher in the
cylinders than that in the beams,
probably due to the more confined
shape of the cylinders and greater
probability of friction and confine-
ment in the center porion of a beam
moldo
Limited freezing and
thawing tests
Freezing and thawing specimens
(4 x 14 in. [102 x 356 mm] cylinders
with gage studs in the ends) were
molded from no-fines concrete with
No. 8 coarse aggregate containing:
Cement 497 lb/yd' (295 kg/rn')
Water 194 lb/yd' (115 kg/rri')
Gravel 26001b/yd3 (1543 kg/rri')
w/c 0.39
No admixtures were used. The
mix characteristics were:
Air void content:
21 percent.
Unit weight:
121 lb/yd' (72 kg/rn')
Compressive strength:
1910 psi (13.2 MPa)
320 psi (2.2 MPa)
Percolation rate:
7.3 in./min (185 mm/min)
The specimens were cured in a
standard moist room for 30 days, at
which time half of the specimens
were subjected to ASTM C 666
Procedure A (freezing and thawing
in water) and half to Procedure B
(freezing in air and thawing in wa-
ter). AH of the specimens failed
fairly quickly in both freezing ex-
posures, indicating that the voids in
the concrete became saturated and
the water was not able to drain out
quickly enough to prevent freezing
damage in the rapid (5 cyc1es per
day) freeze-thaw exposure.
The cylinders appeared to crack
and tend to split lengthwise, indi-
cating a build up of pressure due to
freezing of water in larger internal
voids. It was not the type of failure
where material sloughs off the out-
side surface. The rapid freezing
from all directions may have driven
water to the interior of the speci-
mens, and when the internal water
froze there was no avenue of pres-
sure relief. For a situation where
freezing is slower, and from one di-
rection, there may be more oppor-
tunity for water to drain out of the
no-fines paving material.
Caution needs to be exercised
when using a product such as this
prior to a hard freeze. Sorne con-
crete producers are using air-en-
trainment in the paste; this may im-
prove durability, but it may affect
the permeability characteristics as
well. Caution must also be exer-
cised in using pervious concrete in
exposures where sulfates or acids
may be involved since the perrnea-
bility of the product would allow
such aggressive solutions to pene-
trate and attack the interior of the
concrete.
Example parking lots
Fig. 16 shows a good job where
no- fines pervious concrete has been
used to advantage.
Raveling can occur when there is
insufficient hardened paste to hold
the top coarse aggregate, when the
top aggregate pieces are not cor-
rectly seated into the concrete, and
when poor curing allows the cement
paste to dry before sufficient hy-
dration has taken place. Fig. 17
shows a hand screed finish on a
parking lot. No additional compac-
tion and seating of the coarse ag-
gregate was accomplished, and that
coupled with poor curing caused the
parking lot to have a rough, ravel-
ing surface one year after construc-
tion.

26 Concrete International
Fig. 16 - A quality job using no-fines
pervious concrete.
Fig. 18 shows the surface and a
construction joint of a new parking
lot where extra effort was applied in
properly seating the top layer of
coarse aggregate and in curing the
concrete. The screed used to strike
off the concrete had a rounded edge
which tended to compact the top
surface and a manually operated
steel lawn roller was run over the
surface just behind the screeding
operation to properly embed the
aggregate. Immediately following
that the concrete was covered with
sheet plastic to insure proper curing
of the concrete.
Conclusions
It appears that at least 15 percent
air void content is required to ob-
tain the needed percolation in no-
fines concrete. A water-cement ra-
tio in the range of 0.35 to 0.45 does
a better job of coating the coarse
aggregate without causing too much
balling in the mixer or , at the op-
posite extreme, being so wet that
the paste tends to run off the aggre-
gateo
Construction methods are critical
to proper performance. Sorne com-
paction is needed during placement
and the coarse aggregate on the top
surface needs to be properly seated
to reduce ravelling of the surface.
Curing is very important since the
August 1988
Fig. 17 - Hand screed finish of no-fines permeable concrete paving provides
inadequate compaction and seating of aggregate.
porous concrete can dry out very
rapidly if not quickly covered with
plastic sheeting. Curing is vital to
the continued hydration, and resis-
tance to abrasion, of the top sur-
face.
The level of compaction must be
considered in the design of the mix-
ture. Too much compaction can re-
duce the air voids to below 15 per- ,.\~ , ,. ..
b·l' .1:....•
cent and plug the flow channels. 11~·~.:~
Too little compaction will leave the
structure with very high air voids
~~:ii~~
..'.....'
~ .~
'.. ,t 'r...
·
resulting in low strength and a rav- 1... L~,,\~u.
eling surface. Compact test speci-
Fig. 18 - Proper compaction and
mens to the same density as will be curing gives a tight surface.
obtained in the field. It may take
sorne experimenting to obtain com-
parable compaction in the field and ACI member Rich·
laboratory. The CSA Canadian ard C. Meininger
Standard s have sorne information is Vice President of
on how this can be done. Research of the
National Ready
No-fines pervious concrete is a Mixed Concrete
viable option for automobile park- Association and
ing lots in warm climate areas. the National Ag-
There is concern that this lower gregates Associa-
strength concrete will not stand up tion, Silver Spring, Maryland. These
well where frequent truck or bus associations sponsor the NAA-NRMCA
traffic may be involved. Regular Joint Research Laboratory in College
normal-weight concrete should be Park, Maryland, where this research
used for bus or truck lanes in park- was conducted. He is a member of the
ACI Technical Activities Committee,
ing lots and also in areas with fre- and Committees 211, Proportioning
quent abrasion or turning maneu- Mixtures, 221, Aggregates, and 226,
verso The use of no-fines concrete in Fly Ash, other Pozzolans, and Slag.
surface courses should be confined Mr. Meininger was a recipient of the
to automobile parking areas or ACI Construction Practice Award in
other light duty uses. 1984.
27