Investigation clogging dynamic of permeable pavement systems using embedded sensors

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Hydrology
• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

Background:

• Permeable pavements are vital stormwater control measures.
• Limited data exists on permeable pavement clogging mechanisms affecting infiltration.
• Understanding clogging is crucial for effective stormwater management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clogging dynamics of permeable interlocking concrete pavement.
• To correlate clogging progression with rainfall characteristics and drainage area.
• To identify factors influencing permeable pavement infiltration capacity.

Main Methods:

• Monitoring a permeable pavement site using water content reflectometers and rain gauges.
• Dividing the clogging process into pre-clogged, transitional, and clogged stages.
• Analyzing the relationship between water content, antecedent dry periods, and rainfall intensity.

Main Results:

• Initial water content correlated negatively with antecedent dry weather periods, especially when clogged.
• Rainfall intensity correlated with water content, strongest during the transitional stage.
• Clogging advanced 1 mm across the surface for every 6 mm of rain, progressing downgradient.

Conclusions:

• Permeable pavement clogging is a dynamic process influenced by rainfall and contributing drainage area.
• Clogging significantly reduces infiltration capacity, progressing from upgradient to downgradient sections.
• Findings support the hypothesis of downgradient clogging progression and highlight key influencing factors.