Performance of Pervious Concrete Exposed to Magnesium Chloride Deicers

Abstract

Pervious concrete can be utilized simultaneously as a pavement surface and part of a stormwater management system. In cold climates, it may be exposed to deicers, many of which have been shown to deteriorate the strength and durability of pavements. Pervious concrete specimens made with limestone, ordinary portland cement, and tap water were subjected to a 3% MgCl2 deicing solution weekly for 17 weeks and allowed to air dry between applications, simulating a severe season of deicer applications. Tap water was used as a control. The compressive strengths of the specimens were measured and were slightly less after the deicer application for one batch, but the average compressive strength for the 20 control specimens from different batches was 15.2 MPa with an average porosity of 24.6%. The 22 specimens from different batches with deicer applications averaged 15.6 MPa with an average porosity of 24.3%. Statistical analyses indicate that the strength varied more with porosity than with the deicer applications. The remaining strength of the deicer-exposed specimens is indicative of the resilience of pervious concrete.