Open AccessEffects of Pervious Concrete Thickness on Leachate Water Temperature during Simulated Rain Events
Author(s) -
Trip Roberts,
Keith A. Rahn,
Mark Dougherty,
Charlene LeBleu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
epic series in built environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
ISSN - 2632-881X
DOI - 10.29007/q665
Subject(s) - impervious surface , pervious concrete , stormwater , leachate , environmental science , surface runoff , urban heat island , infiltration (hvac) , stormwater management , geotechnical engineering , environmental engineering , materials science , waste management , composite material , geology , engineering , meteorology , cement , ecology , physics , biology
As construction continues to alter the horizon and cities continue to expand, increased emphasis has been placed on construction materials. Concrete, a widely used material in the construction industry continues to increase the temperature of urban environments in what is called heat island effect. Stored heat on a concrete surface can negatively impact the temperature of stormwater runoff by transferring heat to water running over the heated concrete. This research study showed that impervious concrete retained heat longer after simulated rainfall when compared to comparable pervious materials. Results from this study also indicated that pervious test cells with an infiltration rate above 3,000 in/hr offered greater transfer of heated water (as leachate) away from surface flows. Within this research both 4” and 6” thick pervious concrete test cells (12”x12”) were compared with respect to leachate water temperatures. Leachate water temperature from 6” pervious concrete was cooler than that from 4” pervious concrete due to the 6” cells having a larger thickness of concrete in which to absorb and retain more heat. The ability of pervious concrete to leach stormwater provide greater opportunity for site-specific, sustainable options comparable to comparable impervious materials.