BASF features

Go with the flow: Stormwater management

There are thousands of square miles of paved surfaces in the United States. What if we could help them make a positive contribution to environmental responsibility?

 

 

It’s time to go with the flow.

 

The use of pervious pavement technologies is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a stormwater best management practice (BMP). Why? Because these systems allow stormwater and snow melt to drain through, reducing run-off volume, rate and pollutants.

 

In fact, when included in the design phase of a project, porous pavements can reduce or eliminate the need for costly stormwater retention systems.

 

Modern pervious paving technologies are cost-effective, durable, easy to install and good for the environment. Some even lend an aesthetic flair.

 

Let’s explore the different types.

 

Test Your Knowledge: Pervious Pavement Technologies

 

The National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association have each put together a lot of information on pervious pavement. Take the quiz to test your knowledge!

 

Take the test

1

Porous pavement technologies have been around since…
A: The 1970s B: The 2000s

Correct!

These pavements have been proving their worth since the mid-1970s.

Sorry.

These pavements have been proving their worth since the mid-1970s.

2

True or false: Pervious pavement technology creates more efficient land use by reducing or eliminating the need for retention ponds, swales, and other stormwater management devices.

Correct!

These benefits can help you earn LEED® points and make pervious pavement an EPA best management practice (BMP) for stormwater control.

Sorry.

Efficient land use is one of the most important benefits of using pervious pavement.

3

Pervious pavement technologies offer a lifespan of…
A: 10-15 years B: 20-40 years

Correct!

Pervious pavement can provide 20-40 years of service with little to no maintenance.

Sorry.

Pervious pavement can provide 20-40 years of service with little to no maintenance.

4

True or false: All pervious pavement systems require a support base.

Correct!

Regardless of the surface type, all porous pavements require a stabilizing support base, usually a crushed stone aggregate bedding layer.

Sorry.

Regardless of the surface type, all porous pavements require a stabilizing support base, usually a crushed stone aggregate bedding layer.

A

B

Correct
Incorrect

True

False

Correct
Incorrect

A

B

Correct
Incorrect

True

False

Correct
Incorrect

Congratulations! You passed the test! You can learn more about the features and benefits of the various types of pervious pavements by visiting the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association

 

Pervious Asphalt vs. Permeable Concrete

Fast Facts: Pervious Asphalt

Typical Pervious Concrete Pavement

 

  • 1

    Standard hot-mix asphalt with reduced sand or fines leaves stable air pockets in the asphalt, allowing water to drain through.

  • 2

    The interconnected void space allows stormwater to flow through the asphalt and enter a crushed stone aggregate bedding layer and base that supports the asphalt while providing storage and runoff treatment.

  • 3

    Can be used in place of traditional impervious pavement for most applications, particularly pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and low-volume roadways.

  • 4

    Porous asphalt is the surface layer of the permeable pavement structure and consists of open-graded coarse aggregate, bonded together by bituminous asphalt.

  • 5

    Polymers can be added to the mix to increase strength for heavy load applications.

  • 6

    The thickness of porous asphalt ranges from two to four inches depending on the expected traffic loads.

  • 7

    For adequate permeability, the porous asphalt should have a minimum of 16% air voids.

  • 8

    According to the EPA, 'when properly constructed, porous asphalt is a durable and cost competitive alternative to conventional asphalt.'

 

Fast Facts: Permeable Concrete

Typical Porous Asphalt Pavement

 

  • 1

    Like pervious asphalt, concrete with reduced sand or fines leave stable air pockets inside the concrete, allowing water to drain through.

  • 2

    Total void space is typically between 15% and 35%, with the average being 20 percent.

  • 3

    The void space allows stormwater to flow through the concrete and enter a crushed stone aggregate bedding layer and base that supports the concrete while providing storage and runoff treatment.

  • 4

    The light color of concrete is cooler than conventional asphalt and helps to reduce urban temperatures and improve air quality.

  • 5

    Pervious concrete is the surface layer of a permeable pavement structure and consists of Portland cement, open-graded coarse aggregate (typically 5/8 to 3/8 inch), and water.

  • 6

    Admixtures are added to the mixture to enhance strength, increase setting time, or meet other performance parameters.

  • 7

    The thickness of pervious concrete ranges from four to eight inches depending on the expected traffic loads.

  • 8

    According to the EPA, 'When properly constructed, pervious concrete is durable, low maintenance, and has a low lifecycle cost.'

Product Focus: Recycled Glass Aggregate

Top of the Class

  • The system will provide infiltration of storm water even under excessive sediment loading
  • On a 25 year design storm (8.4 inches/hr) in Florida, a 33% reduction in phosphorus and nitrogen was achieved
  • The average compressive strength of ELASTOPAVE is 1160 psi and its flexural strength is 508 psi
  • The porosity of ELASTOPAVE was determined to be 39%, maintaining the highest sustainable void space of any porous pavement system

 

 

ELASTOPAVE Glass Series

Glass Aggregate

Made with a blend of 50% post-consumer recycled glass, 50% regionally sourced stone, and a proprietary pigmented binder developed by BASF, it's designed for pedestrian and light vehicular traffic loads. It is a poured-in-place, highly reflective, colorful porous paving system that gives you unmatched design flexibility.

 

 

ELASTOPAVE Stone Series

Stone and Glass Mixed Aggregate

Made with either 100% regionally sourced stone, or 80% stone and 20% glass, it is a poured-in place pervious pavement that handles pedestrian and vehicular traffic loads. Highly reflective and variant-colored natural stone enhances and differentiates your landscape designs with rich earth tones.

 

Did you know?

Recycled glass pervious pavements are twice as porous as other hard-surfaced porous pavements (38%), resulting in a greater reduction of stormwater runoff and better resistance to clogging and maintenance requirements.

 

Roughly 90 beverage bottles are used in just one square foot of ELASTOPAVE® pavement. The use of recycled materials not only helps divert waste from landfill, but these technologies are also effective at reducing heat island effect (solar reflective index: 29).