Sustainable Porous Concrete Solutions for Groundwater Recharge and Stormwater Management

The rapid developments in the infrastructure and increasing pace of urbanization in cities, a significant portion of land is now covered with impermeable surfaces such as conventional concrete and bituminous pavements. These surfaces hinder natural rainwater infiltration, leading to increased surface runoff, urban flooding, and a decline in groundwater recharge. To address these challenges, this study explores the development of permeable (porous) concrete as a sustainable solution for effective stormwater management and enhanced groundwater replenishment. The proposed concrete mix eliminates fine aggregates to create interconnected voids, allowing water to percolate through the pavement and into the ground. In addition, the research aims to reduce the dependence on natural coarse aggregates by partially substituting cement with silica fume. Mix designs with silica fume replacement levels of 0%, 2.5%, and 5% were examined. Key parameters investigated are cement setting time, workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, porosity, and permeability to evaluate its performance. Results show that porous concrete incorporating silica fume is technically viable and environmentally beneficial. While an increase in compressive strength and significant permeability was observed with addition of higher silica fume content and these traits are favorable for applications aimed at stormwater infiltration and groundwater recharge. This ecofriendly concrete is well-suited for low-traffic urban applications such as permeable pavements, pedestrian zones, and parking lots, where managing surface runoff and improving groundwater sustainability are critical. The study presents the environmental benefits of restoring natural water cycles in urban environments.