Numerical simulation of the mechanical behaviour of porous concrete

Abstract

Porous concrete is a mixture of open-graded coarse aggregate, water and cement. It is also occasionally referred to as no-fines concrete or pervious concrete. Due to its high infiltration capacity, it is viewed as an environmentally sustainable paving material for use in urban drainage systems since it can lead to reduced flooding and to the possibilities of stormwater harvesting and reuse. However, the high porosity is due in the main part to the lack of fine aggregate particles used in the manufacture of porous concrete. In this paper, a numerical method is presented to understand more fully the structural properties of porous concrete. This method will provide a useful tool for engineers to design with confidence higher strength porous concrete systems.