GHMC pilot project uses permeable concrete

Rajendranagar: To avert the possibility of water stagnation, creation of potholes and further damage, the GHMC engineers who are overseeing the works at Katedan (Indra Reddy) Sports Complex have decided construct an entire footpath and parking area with 'permeable concrete.'

The permeable or pervious concrete is a structural concrete generally used for laying pavements, which generally do not use sand. Large-sized interconnected voids are made to help the water seep below. Like conventional concrete, the material mixture is made of a cement, gravel and water.

The porous structure makes water pass through easily. When permeable concrete is used for such projects like pavement and parking area, engineers believe that it can take in storm water and the rainwater could be stored in a coarse gravel layer underneath the pavement or allowed to percolate into the underlying soil.

Speaking to The Hans India, GHMC Superintendent Engineer (south zone) Dattupant said that the engineers have come up with 'model pilot project' of 20-mt length and 6-mt width permeable concrete structure on the premises of the Katedan sports complex. If the pilot project percolates water as expected, the entire parking area and pavement would be covered with this kind of material, inside the compound.

"We have come up with the idea, since there have been complaints of regular concrete not being able to stop water flow and permeate. This would not only help the structure remain intact, but also helps in achieving the major environmental concern of water recharging. The engineers of GHMC here are experimenting with the idea and if everything goes well, the sports complex will have an entirely different footpath and parking area," he said.

He further said that the seepage through the concrete structure made without using sand will not only help in retaining it for longer period, but also allows rainwater which can be used after recharge. "After some 20 days, the engineers will be testing the strength and viability. If there is requirement of change in components, new mix would be tested again, as this is was taken up as experimental purpose," he added.

About the expenditure, Dattupant said that this technology, cost would be same as the normal one. "The proposal will be taken forward and after higher ups approve then there is possibility of implementing the idea at other places," he noted.

He contented as after formation of Telangana state, the GHMC engineers found a platform to implement innovative ideas in civil engineering like plastic roads, thermocol buildings and construction of buildings with polymer wall system.