Because of its porous nature, pervious concrete cannot be tested using standards developed for traditional concrete. In order to fill this need, ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates is developing a series of proposed test methods specific to pervious.

The first of these proposed standards, ASTM C1688/C1688M, Test Method for Density and Void Content of Freshly Mixed Pervious Concrete, has now been approved. This new standard and other proposed test methods for pervious concrete are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee C09.49 on Pervious Concrete.

Michael Davy, Market Development Manager, CEMEX, and chair of the C09.49 task group that developed ASTM C1688/C1688M, says that the new standard can be used as a means of verifying that the pervious concrete delivered to a project corresponds to the producer’s mix proportions. ASTM C1688/C1688M may also be used in the development of mixtures with various aggregate types or sizes.

“The most likely users of ASTM C1688 will be specifying agencies, engineers, water management agencies and test labs performing fresh pervious concrete testing,” says Davy. “It may also be used by producers investigating different mix proportions.”  Davy notes that other proposed test methods in development for pervious concrete include compressive strength, flexural strength, in-place permeability and in-place density/porosity. Participation in the development of these proposed standards is welcome, particularly from specifiers, producers, contractors, academia and other interested parties.

ASTM International standards are available for purchase from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.

For technical Information, contact Michael Davy, CEMEX, Cocoa, Fla. (phone: 321-636-1640; mdavy@cemexusa.com). Committee C09 meets June 14-17 during June committee week in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For ASTM meeting or membership information, contact Scott Orthey, ASTM International (phone: 610-832-9730; sorthey@astm.org).

Release #8141/Dec08