Climate change resilient permeable pavement for a sustainable built environment

Project Summary

Permeable pavements rapidly drain stormwater through otherwise impermeable infrastructure. They offer a solution to urban surface water flooding, however conventional systems are prone to clogging, require frequent maintenance and have low strength and durability. Imperial College London have developed a next-generation climate change resilient permeable pavement (Kiacrete) that addresses the longstanding challenges with conventional permeable pavements. The TRIG Programme will enable the development and testing of this technology to increase transport resilience to severe weather and flooding, whilst enhancing the road users’ safety.

Project Achievements

The skid resistance properties of Kiacrete were measured using the British Pendulum Test. Laboratory samples were prepared for Kiacrete and conventional impermeable concrete with different surface finishes, and were tested in dry and wet conditions (Fig. 2). The skid resistance of Kiacrete was measured to be suitable for pedestrian and vehicular applications in both dry and wet conditions for all surface finishes tested. The wet condition skid resistance of Kiacrete was observed to be significantly improved over conventional impermeable concrete, demonstrating the benefit that Kiacrete has in enhancing transportation user safety over traditional paving surfaces. Pigmented cementitious samples were prepared with varying concentrations in the laboratory. The surface colours, for different concentrations and combinations, were

Conclusions

We have developed a puddle-free permeable concrete pavement (Kiacrete) that addresses the challenges of the conventional permeable pavements and can replace traditional impermeable paving surfaces. This project has been successful in demonstrating in the laboratory that Kiacrete’s skid resistance in both simulated wet and dry conditions is excellent and superior to impermeable concrete surfaces in wet conditions. We have also shown that it is possible to produce a pigmented concrete surface that can achieve colours suitable for a wide variety of transportation applications. Kiacrete can mitigate against the harmful effects of climate change and improve transport users’ experience by ensuring a safe, reliable and inclusive network.

Next Steps

measured using a spectrophotometer to determine the feasibility of achieving suitable surface colours for transportation applications through pigmentation, compared to the more commonplace surface painting. The effect of the pigments’ concentration on the workability and compressive strength was also measured. The tests have demonstrated that Kiacrete can be produced with suitable surface colour (Fig. 2), workability and compressive strength for a range of transportation applications. This project has advanced Kiacrete from TRL 3 to 5. The slip and skid resistance has been verified in the laboratory and there is a need for the large-scale real-world performance to be verified. Following these developments Kiacrete can then be deployed across the urban environment and the transportation sector to deliver safe, resilient, sustainable and puddle-free pavement surfaces.