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Pervious Paving Materials


Sponsored in part by:
Safari Thatch logo and live link  

Safari Thatch and Bamboo

Wynand Odendaal
PO Box 91286
Austin, TX 78709
(512) 448-2000
(512) 448-2319 fax
Custom Thatch and a full line of Prefabricated Thatch Panels and Bamboo Products




Pervious Paving Materials Contents:

CSI NUMBERS
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES

RESOURCES

CSI Numbers:


DEFINITION:

Pervious materials permit water to enter the ground by virtue of their porous nature or by large spaces in the material.


CONSIDERATIONS:

Water-pervious materials such as gravel, crushed stone, open paving blocks or pervious paving blocks for driveways, parking areas, walkways, and patios minimize runoff from those areas, as well as increase infiltration. Some pervious paving options can retain turf and carry autos and trucks evenly without creating tracks or other heavy traffic wear signs. Many pervious surfaces that receive auto traffic require a clay-type roadbase subgrade. The roadbase material could slow water percolation in heavy rains and cause over-saturation above it, leading to puddles or runoff. It is best to select a pervious paving material that can use the most porous subbase. Care should be taken during installation to minimize excessive soil compaction.

A turf covered pervious surface can be problematic for certain types of footwear, and can stay wetter after rains due to the height of the grass. A compromise approach is to retain a small impervious walkway to accommodate the areas that provide access to vehicle loading and unloading.

Pervious materials will cost more than asphalt surfaces with some systems costing as much as 40% more. If used in areas with underground utilities needing repair, pervious paving materials can easily be removed from only the repair area. Pavement replacement is simplified and expensive measures such as asphalt cutting are eliminated.

Commercial
Status
Implementation
Issues
technology suppliers cost financing public regulatory
Pervious Paving
Legend
green Satisfactory
yellow Satisfactory in most conditions
red Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
black Unsatisfactory or Difficult

COMMERCIAL STATUS

TECHNOLOGY:

Well-developed.

SUPPLIERS:

Several systems are presented in Sweets catalogue and can be accessed locally.

COST:

Can cost 10-40% more than asphalt surfaces.


IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

FINANCING:

Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Good; more product exposure needed.

REGULATORY:

The driveway approach is regulated by the Department of Public Works and Transportation. The area from the street to the property line must be concrete. Contact the Department of Public Works and Transportation to discuss possible alternatives.


GUIDELINES

  • 1.0 Installation
  • 2.0 Grass Requirements
  • 3.0 Use and Maintenance

  • RESOURCES


    PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE



    COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS



    GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

     

     

     


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