Description
INTRODUCTION TO PERMEABLE PAVING
What is Permeable Paving?
Permeable paving is paving that almost immediately absorbs any rain and storm water that falls onto it and lets it through to the underground as would happen naturally. Opposed to that, ordinary paving collects water and usually concentrates it. This becomes storm water that has to be managed.
Permeable paving is widely used in Europe and America and is also catching on in South African cities. Permeable Paving is a viable alternative to conventional paving combined with storm water pipes and attenuation ponds.
Why permeable paving?
Because it is cheaper than ordinary paving plus a stormwater collection and piping system and have the following added advantages:
- There is no elaborate stormwater system – no underground pipes (or very small ones), no channels, no collection chambers, grids, kerb inlets, kerbs, no connection to local systems, no doing away into waterways, no design and no permissions;
- Rain water returns to the undergroud and the ground water is replenished. Compare this with prescious fresh water being routed to streams and rivers and down to the sea;
- Permeable paving filters the water directly upon penetrating the paving in stead of it collecting dirt and pollutants off road surfaces along the way and depositing it into waterways;
- Use permeable paving to harvest rain water straight away. The paving and substructure may be so designed that the absorbed water is collected underground. From here it may be pumped for use in the surrounding landscape or otherwise.
The proof is in the eating …
Developed countries like Germany and the EU, the UK, Australia, the USA have been sing permeable paving for over 20 years. Its economy there is well proven and permeable paving, depending on the application, is being specified by local authorities.
Comprehensive information:
Try:
http://www.paving.org.uk/permeable.php for comprehensive information, downloadable design guidelines etc.
http://www.sept.org for the latest technical know-how, technical papers etc.
More information for Architects and Lanscape Architects
More information for Civil Engineers
Vanstone’s Offer:
A permeable paving block should perform both as a load-bearer and a water-absorber. For this the paving blocks must have good inter-lock and include sufficient openings to let the water through. When considering which permeable paving block to buy, make sure both are an inherent part of the block design.
Vanstone now offers three new Permeable Concrete Block Pavers:
- Aqualock Pavers for general traffic in 60mm and 80mm thick and
- Aqua Random Pavers for light traffic in 50mm thickness.
Practical Guidelines
Design Considerations
Technical Information
– Key requirements for successful permeable paving
– Storm water management by PCBP
– Drawing patterns download
– Ready specifications
