Investigating the physical properties of modified pervious concrete containing different lightweight aggregates

Gghail, Huda H.; Abdulsada, Mosah S.; Borhan, Tumadhir M.

doi:10.30772/qjes.2026.163760.1683

	Investigating the physical properties of modified pervious concrete containing different lightweight aggregates
Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 3, July 2026, Pages 310-315 PDF (7.61 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30772/qjes.2026.163760.1683
Authors
Huda H. Gghail; Mosah S. Abdulsada^* ; Tumadhir M. Borhan
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Abstract
Pervious concrete is an environmentally friendly paving concrete that has attracted significant attention due to its environmental advantages, particularly in mitigating the influences of urban heat and improving stormwater runoff. This study aims to investigate the influence of three types of lightweight coarse aggregates on the physical properties of pervious concrete mixtures. These types are pumice and two types of lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA): low density (LD) and high density (HD). Previous concrete mixtures were modified by styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) at 5% by cement mass and prepared. The physical properties of this type of concrete, including porosity, permeability, and hardened density, were investigated. The results indicated that replacing the normal coarse aggregate with a volumetric ratio of 10% lightweight coarse aggregates resulted in a significant increase in permeability and porosity while at the same time reducing density. The highest value of permeability was achieved by the mix containing 10% of LD without SBR, with an increment of 35.9%, compared to the control mix. The porosity was increased by 28.6% in the mix containing 10% of PA without SBR, compared to the control mix. On the other hand. Regardless of the type of lightweight coarse aggregate used, the addition of SBR to the lightweight aggregate mixtures significantly decreases the porosity and permeability while increasing density. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the type of aggregate chosen has a significant effect on the physical properties of pervious concrete.
Highlights
Three lightweight aggregates were evaluated in polymer-modified pervious concrete. Low-density Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate produced the highest permeability enhancement. Pumice generated the greatest increase in interconnected porosity. SBR effectively balanced permeability with improved matrix densification. Aggregate type and morphology were key factors governing physical properties.
Keywords
Pervious concrete; Physical properties; Styrene butadiene rubber; Lightweight coarse aggregate

References
M. Wanielista, M. Chopra, J. Spence, and C. Ballock, “Hydraulic performance assessment of pervious concrete pavements for stormwater management credit,” N/A, 2007. P. D. Tennis, M. L. Leming, and D. J. Akers, Pervious concrete pavements. Portland Cement Association, 2004. P. J. Ramadhansyah, M. Y. Mohd Ibrahim, M. R. Hainin, M. N. M. Warid, and M. H. Wan Ibrahim, “Porous concrete pavement containing nano-silica: Pre-review,” Advanced Materials Research, vol. 911, pp. 454–458, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.911.454 ACI 522R-10, “Report on pervious concrete,” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan, Tech. Rep., 2010. A. L. Welker, J. D. Barbis, and P. A. Jeffers, “A side-by-side comparison of pervious concrete and porous asphalt,” Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA), vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 809–819, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2012.00654.x Hariyadi and H. Tamai, “Enhancing the performance of porous concrete by utilizing the pumice aggregate,” Procedia Engineering, vol. 125, pp. 732–738, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.11.116 J. Huang, C. Valeo, J. He, and A. Chu, “Three types of permeable pavements in cold climates: Hydraulic and environmental performance,” Journal of Environmental Engineering, vol. 142, no. 6, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)ee.1943-7870.0001085 E. Teymouri, S. F. Mousavi, H. Karami, S. Farzin, and M. Hosseini Kheirabad, “Municipal wastewater pretreatment using porous concrete containing finegrained mineral adsorbents,” Journal of Water Process Engineering, vol. 36, p. 101346, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101346 F. Giustozzi, “Polymer-modified pervious concrete for durable and sustainable transportation infrastructures,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 111, pp. 502–512, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.136 J. T. Kevern, “Advancements in pervious concrete technology,” Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2008. Y. Tan, C. Zhou, C. Zhong, and J. Zhou, “Freeze-thaw and thermal cycle durability of pervious concrete with different aggregate sizes and water-cement ratios,” International Journal of Pavement Engineering, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1–12, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2021.2021405 H. Bilal, X. Gao, L. Cavaleri, A. Khan, and M. Ren, “Mechanical, durability, and microstructure characterization of pervious concrete incorporating polypropylene fibers and fly ash/silica fume,” Journal of Composites Science, vol. 8, no. 11, pp. 1–23, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110456 Y. Wang, Z. Zhu, R. Cao, L. Xu, and B. Huang, “Insights into the properties of pervious concrete modified with polymers and fine aggregate,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 22, p. e04627, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04627 S. Z. Abeer, S. Q. Abdulridha, M. S. Nasr, Z. A. Hasan, and A. Shubbar, “Improving the mechanical behavior of pervious concrete using polypropylene and waste rope fibers,” Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 38–46, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.30772/qjes.2024.146598.1114 J. T. Kevern, V. R. Schaefer, K. Wang, and M. T. Suleiman, “Pervious concrete mixture proportions for improved freeze-thaw durability,” Journal of ASTM International, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 1–12, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1520/JAI101320 C. Zhao, X. Jia, Z. Yi, H. Li, and Y. Peng, “Mechanical performance of single-graded copolymer-modified pervious concrete in a corrosive environment,” Materials, vol. 14, no. 23, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237304 H. Wu, B. Huang, X. Shu, and Q. Dong, “Laboratory evaluation of abrasion resistance of portland cement pervious concrete,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 23, pp. 697–702, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT Iraqi Standard Specification (IQS) No.5, “Portland cement,” Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, Baghdad, Tech. Rep., 2019. Iraqi Standard Specification (IQS) No.45, “Iraqi standard specification for aggregate from natural sources for concrete,” Central Organization of Standard and Quality Control, Ministry of Housing and Construction, Baghdad, Tech. Rep., 1984. A. Q. I. Al-Hadithi, “No-fines polymer concrete mechanical properties and behaviour,” Master’s thesis, Al-Anbar University, College of Engineering, Anbar, 2000. T. M. Borhan and Z. Kammouna, “Enhancing physical and mechanical properties of pervious concrete,” in AIP Conference Proceedings. American Institute of Physics Inc., 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0000154 H. M. Kazim, “Properties of sustainable lightweight pervious concrete,” Master’s thesis, Al-Qadisiyah University, College of Engineering, Al-Qadisiyah, 2022, higher Diploma Thesis. F. S. Sabbar, “Using perlite in producing lightweight pervious concrete,” Master’s thesis, Al-Qadisiyah University, College of Engineering, Al-Qadisiyah, 2023, higher Diploma Thesis. NRMCA, “Pervious concrete: Guideline to mixture proportioning,” National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, Tech. Rep., February 2009. T. Y. Lo, H. Z. Cui, W. C. Tang, and W. M. Leung, “The effect of aggregate absorption on pore area at interfacial zone of lightweight concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 623–628, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.10.011 Y. Zaetang, A. Wongsa, V. Sata, and P. Chindaprasirt, “Use of lightweight aggregates in pervious concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 48, pp. 585–591, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.07.077 E. Teymouri, K. S. Wong, Y. Y. Tan, and N. N. M. Pauzi, “Mechanical behaviour of adsorbent pervious concrete using iron slag and zeolite as coarse aggregates,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 388, p. 131720, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131720 ASTM C192, “Practice for making and curing concrete test specimens in the laboratory,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, Tech. Rep., 2019. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0192 C0192M-15 ASTM C1754, “Test method for density and void content of hardened pervious concrete,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, Tech. Rep., 2012. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1520/C1754 C1754M-12 E. G¨uneyisi, M. Geso˘glu, Q. Kareem, and S. ˙Ipek, “Effect of different substitution of natural aggregate by recycled aggregate on performance characteristics of pervious concrete,” Materials and Structures, vol. 49, pp. 521–536, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0517-y Y. Ohama, Handbook of polymer-modified Concrete and mortars: properties and process technology. New Jersey: Noyes Publications, 1995. J. M. Gao, C. X. Qian, B. Wang, and K. Morino, “Experimental study on properties of polymer-modified cement mortars with silica fume,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 41–45, 2002. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(01)00626-3 T. M. Borhan and R. J. Al Karawi, “Experimental investigations on polymer modified pervious concrete,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 12, p. e00335, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2020.e00335 A. M. Neville and J. J. Brooks, Concrete Technology, 2nd ed. Malaysia: Prentice Hall, 2010. W. Yeih, T. C. Fu, J. J. Chang, and R. Huang, “Properties of pervious concrete made with air-cooling electric arc furnace slag as aggregates,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 93, pp. 737–745, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2015.05.104 Z. Zhang, Y. Zhang, C. Yan, and Y. Liu, “Influence of crushing index on properties of recycled aggregates pervious concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 135, pp. 112–118, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.203 O. Uysal, Uslu, C. B. Aktas¸, B. Chang, and Yaman, “Physical and mechanical properties of lightweight expanded clay aggregate concrete,” Buildings, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 1–16, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061871 M. A. R. Bhutta, N. Hasanah, N. Farhayu, M. W. Hussin, M. B. M. Tahir, and J. Mirza, “Properties of porous concrete from waste crushed concrete (recycled aggregate),” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 47, pp. 1243–1248, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.022 K. Guo, S. Guo, X. Chen, and Q. Qi, “Mechanical and hygrothermal properties of zeolite-modified pervious concrete in hot and humid area,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 1–15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032092 J. A. Bogas, J. De Brito, and J. M. Figueiredo, “Mechanical characterization of concrete produced with recycled lightweight expanded clay aggregate concrete,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 89, pp. 187–195, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.015 J. A. Bogas, J. De Brito, and J. Cabac¸o, “Long-term behaviour of concrete produced with recycled lightweight expanded clay aggregate concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 65, pp. 470–479, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.05.003 A. A. Aliabdo, A. E. M. Abd Elmoaty, and A. M. Fawzy, “Experimental investigation on permeability indices and strength of modified pervious concrete with recycled concrete aggregate,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 193, pp. 105–127, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.182 B. Debnath and P. P. Sarkar, “Characterization of pervious concrete using over burnt brick as coarse aggregate,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 242, p. 118154, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118154 S. Kant Sahdeo, G. D. Ransinchung, K. L. Rahul, and S. Debbarma, “Effect of mix proportion on the structural and functional properties of pervious concrete paving mixtures,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 255, p. 119260, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119260 B. Huang, H. Wu, X. Shu, and E. G. Burdette, “Laboratory evaluation of permeability and strength of polymer-modified pervious concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 818–823, 2010. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2009.10.025 F. B. Pereira da Costa, L. M. Haselbach, and L. C. P. da Silva Filho, “Pervious concrete for desired porosity: Influence of w/c ratio and a rheology-modifying admixture,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 268, p. 121084, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121084 A. R. Lori, A. Hassani, and R. Sedghi, “Investigating the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of pervious concrete containing copper slag as coarse aggregate,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 197, pp. 130–142, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.230
Statistics Article View: 326 PDF Download: 213