Prospects for the use of permeable lightweight concrete products

The problem of flooding on roads and streets in populated areas, which creates inconvenience during their use, is a pressing issue for several regions of Belarus and Russia. Internationally, this problem is addressed by using concrete with large pores, which allows for intensive drainage of moisture through the pores of the material. This type of concrete, combined with properly selected sub-bases, is widely used in the United States, China, Japan, and Germany. However, it has not found a widespread application in Russian road pavement construction, as evidenced by the lack of technical regulations governing the production of such concrete and its placing in pavements. This article presents information on a technology developed at the OAO Novolukoml Expanded Clay Gravel Plant for the production of lightweight, large-pore expanded clay concrete for pavements and similar surfaces. This technology ensures the required strength and performance characteristics for the manufactured products. The low average density of this material (no more than 1800 kg/ m³) facilitates paving and allows for the filtration of natural moisture from the surfaces. To ensure and expand production using this promising technology, technical specifications have been developed and approved in accordance with the established procedures for the Republic of Belarus.