Leaching of Pervious Concrete Produced Using Mixed Recycled Aggregates

Abstract Waste produced by the construction sector is a problem that has grown over the last few years. Construction and demolition waste makes up about 50% by mass of the total solid waste produced in Brazil. One alternative by which to reduce this volume is recycling this material in the form of aggregates. However, it is necessary to analyze the environmental risk that the use of recycled aggregates can entail for adjacent soil and the water table. The purpose of this work was to evaluate pervious concrete samples that contained recycled aggregates and to subject them to leaching tests. The results were compared with the limits established by the Italian methodology. Aggregates with 10, 25, 50, and 100% ceramic were used, as well as a recycled concrete aggregate and a natural aggregate. With the exception of the 25% ceramic trial, all the treatments introduced chromium to the water in which they were immersed, with accumulated concentrations varying from 0.009 to 0.099 mg L-1. Cadmium was found in higher quantities, with cumulated concentrations between 0.104 and 0.417 mg L-1. Sulfate concentrations were higher after 24 h of immersion, with a maximum release of 71.7 mg L-1. The concrete made with 100% ceramic aggregate leached more chromium and sulfate than the other aggregates.

Exploratory Assessment of SUDS Feasibility in Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Basin, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.

Aims: In recent decades, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, frequently has been affected by local floods and inundation from heavy rainfall. Conventional flood mitigation measures such as building flood gates and upgrading sewerage systems have been implemented but problems persist. The objective of this research is to assess another approach for flood control measures, namely Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), with application to the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Basin, located in the central part of Ho Chi Minh City. Methodology: A combination of the Stormwater Management Model (PCSWMM) and interviews with 140 households was used to assess the efficacy and acceptability of four of the most popular SUDS: Rainwater harvesting, green roofs, urban green space and pervious pavement. Thirteen SUDS and urban build-out scenarios were simulated under 6 design storm conditions. Results: PCSWMM results showed that inundation from intense rainfall could be reduced with proper land-use control, specifically by maintaining imperviousness at 65% or less of the surface area. With respect to SUDS performance, green roofs were best at reducing peak runoff (22% reduction), followed by pervious pavement, urban green space, and rainwater harvesting systems. Regarding environmental improvements, as represented by reduction in total suspended solids load, urban green space was best with 20% of the solids load removed compared to the base case scenario, followed by green roofs, pervious pavement, and rainwater harvesting. The household interviews revealed the majority of people preferred pervious pavement to the other SUDS options and the least preferred option was green roof technology. Conclusion: Considering the combination of water quantity and water quality controls, it seems that green roof technology was the best performer for this area of Ho Chi Minh City, followed by urban green space, pervious pavement and rainwater harvesting. However, green roof technology also was the least favored option for the public and stakeholder acceptance will impact SUDS implementation.