Title: Discrete Element Modeling of Pervious Concrete Compressive Strength to Optimize Mixture Composition

Author(s): Othman AlShareedah and Somayeh Nassiri

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 120

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 5-18

Keywords: compressive strength; discrete element method (DEM); mixture composition; pervious concrete; sustainable pavement

DOI: 10.14359/51739157

Date: 12/1/2023

Abstract:
Pervious concrete is a stormwater management practice used in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and many other countries. Yet the design of pervious concrete mixtures to balance strength and permeability requires more research. Sphere packing models of pervious concrete were used in compressive strength testing simulations using the discrete element method with a cohesive contact law. First, three mixtures with varied water-cement ratios (w/c) and porosities were used for model development and validation. Next, an extensive database of simulated compressive strength and tested permeability was created, including 21 porosities at three w/c. Analysis of the database showed that for pavement applications where high permeability and strength are required, the advised porosity is 0.26 to 0.30, producing average strengths of 14.4, 11.1, and 7.7 MPa for w/c of 0.25, 0.30, and 0.35. The model can guide the mixture design to meet target performance metrics, save materials and maintenance costs, and extend the pavement life.