Arizona Projects Highlight Pervious Concrete Inroads

Reflecting and reinforcing the growing awareness of pervious concrete benefits, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognition as a best practice

Reflecting and reinforcing the growing awareness of pervious concrete benefits, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognition as a best practice for storm water management, the Portland Cement Associatio has recently joined regional and national promotion groups in supporting demonstration projects for the material. The Arizona Cement Association, for example, has furthered its regional promotion of pervious concrete with several installations, including a four-acre park-and-ride lot in Glendale, Ariz.; a Tucson Zoo project; and, a porous pavement at a concrete block yard.

In the latter project, Phoenix-based Quality Block Co., Inc., recently approached Salt River Materials Group to install pervious concrete pavement in a 30,000-sq.-ft. portion of the yard that serves as a storm water drain and load-out area. During construction, the concrete pad was extended by 3,000 sq. ft. for optimal area use and maximum water storage, as it needed to accommodate all storm water runoff from 75,000-sq.-ft. of conventional pavement on site. Designed to retain storm water for a duration of two hours, the project also includes a retention basin.

The Quality Block installation is unique in showcasing pervious concrete’s structural capabilities. The pavement handles block pallets stacked three to four high as well as major forklift traffic. Construction required removal of 20 inches of soil and placement of 12 inches of crushed rock and 8 inches of pervious concrete. AMEC in collaboration with Jim Willson and Stew Waller of the Arizona Cement Association served as design consultants. Arizona Materials supplied the mix, and Progressive Concrete Works was the concrete contractor.