Two recently formed task groups on preparing pervious concrete specimens and research will be participating in the first meeting of the new Subcommittee C09.49 on Pervious Concrete from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. on June 25 during the ASTM Committee Week in Norfolk, Va. C09.49 is part of ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates.

Heather Brown, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (phone: 615/904-8060; hjbrown@mtsu.edu) is leading Task Group C09.49.01 on Research. This task group will evaluate test methods currently being considered for pervious concrete by agencies and researchers in an attempt to reach a consensus on which test methods seem best suited for standardization. Standards will be developed within the areas of design and quality assurance tests for pervious concrete.

Michael Davy, Rinker Materials, Orlando, Fla. (phone: 407/243-5362; davy@rinker.com) is leading Task Group C09.49.02 on Preparing Pervious Concrete Specimens. This task group will develop consolidation techniques for making pervious concrete test specimens. Possible techniques include rodding, vibration, jigging, Marshall drop hammer and those discussed in ASTM C 1176, Practice for Making Roller-Compacted Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Table, and ASTM C 1435/C 1435M, Practice for Molding Roller-Compacted Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Hammer.

In an article in the October 2006 issue of Standardization News, Karthik Obla, chair of Subcommittee C09.49, noted that there has been a resurgence in interest in pervious concrete due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent recognition of its use as a best management practice for storm water management. An increasing focus on sustainability and the green movement has also contributed to the importance of pervious concrete as a building material. “Many concrete industry experts consider pervious concrete to be the next big thing in the marketplace,” stated Obla.

For further technical information, contact Karthik Obla, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md. (phone: 210/485-1163; kobla@nrmca.org). Committee C09 meets June 24-27 during the June Committee Week in Norfolk, Va. For membership or meeting information, contact James Olshefsky, manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9714; jolshefs@astm.org). In addition, more information on Subcommittee C09.49 can be found by viewing the video found at http://www.astm.org/IMAGES03/astm768.wmv and hosted by James Olshefsky, ASTM International staff manager of Committee C09.

Release #7664