Mixed linear model for the prediction of infiltration rates in urban pervious concrete pavements in dense wooded parks

Abstract

Clogging of porous concrete pavements is understood as a performance pathology within this peculiar concrete component. Albeit the clogging performance of porous concrete pavements is a sensitive topic in technical literature, most studies refer to laboratory investigations on concrete samples using different kinds of apparatus for the simulation of loss of permeability due to debris insertion on porous interstices. However, infiltration rate measurements are the basis for defining maintenance needs in actual pavements and shall be carried out periodically to measure and endorse infiltration rate adequacy as the kern of a clogging management protocol. This study dealt with a field experiment in a pervious concrete sidewalk surrounded by a wooded garden with tropical native and a variety of exotic trees. Over four years, eleven monitoring measurements were carried out using the ASTM C1701 infiltration ring test. The main contribution of this paper is a proposition of a mixed linear prediction model considering conditioned exponential distribution and a random normal intercept for the infiltration rate. From residual analysis and diagnosis plots, it can be seen that the proposed model presents a goodness of fit, allowing anticipation of infiltration rates reduction due to clogging by dense organic matter. Minimum infiltration rate is taken as 0.1 cm/s and such condition was achieved in a couple of months, awakening consciously to consider three to four intensive cleaning maintenance per year in dense wooded areas like public parks.