• Bullen, Frank
• Bolt, Jason

Abstract

Urban environments create large catchment areas for storm water runoff. This has a major impact on the water quality, the health of the environment and the natural ecosystem. During storms, large volumes of water are channeled into streams and rivers, creating flood control and erosion problems further downstream. As population density increases, so does the need for costly engineered water control systems that can take up valuable land area. Pollution from rainwater runoff is another concern, especially in urban areas. A sustainable solution to this problem is to use permeable pavements. Permeable concrete has long been considered an ideal alternative for harnessing storm water in urban environments, where low strength concrete can be applied. The interconnecting voids of permeable concrete greatly reduce its compressive strength and therefore, its applications. However, it is these interconnecting pores which create the permeability of the concrete that allows water to pass through, which can then be harnessed and used. Research has shown that photocatalytic construction materials are able to degrade pollutants in areas of; air pollution, water purification, anti-bacterial effect and self cleaning. The incorporation of photocatalytic cement to permeable concrete is a new concept and little research is currently available. This paper presents a laboratory testing program which investigates the hydraulic and mechanical effect of the addition of titanium dioxide to permeable concrete.

Topics

• density
• impedance spectroscopy
• pore
• strength
• cement
• positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
• Photoacoustic spectroscopy
• permeability
• titanium
• void