Sample Specification for Portland Cement Pervious Concrete Pavement These generic sample specifications are provided as a guideline

for professional engineers, architects, and landscape architects. Each project has unique design parameters and soil characteristics that may require modifications to these generic specifications. The California Cement Promotion Council is available to provide technical assistance during the design, bid, pre-construction, and construction phases.
100. We strongly suggest requiring a mandatory pre-bid meeting to

introduce contractors to pervious concrete construction. Also, if the selected contractor has not previously placed pervious concrete, we strongly suggest requiring a mandatory training session prior to placing the project pervious concrete. Technical assistance and training are available from the California Cement Promotion Council (CCPC) - David Akers 858-541-0180, the Southern California Ready Mix Concrete Association (SCRMCA) - Larry Maes - 626-441-3107, Concrete Promotion Council of Northern California (CPCNC) - Lucy Thomas - 916-481-8380, Southern Nevada Concrete and Aggregate Association (SNCAA) Rich Warren 702-2832662, and Sierra Nevada Concrete Association (SNCA) Jennifer Mattos - 775-852-6551. 101. General Provisions
102. Scope of Work: The Work to be completed under this contract includes the furnishing of all labor, materials and equipment necessary for construction of the proposed improvements in conformance with the plans and specifications. 103. References: A. American Society for Testing and Materials 1. ASTM C29 Test for Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate 2. ASTM C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates 3. ASTM C42 Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete. 4. ASTM C117 Test Method for Material Finer than 75 microns (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing.

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5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

ASTM C138 Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete. ASTM C140 Methods of Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units. ASTM C150 Specifications for Portland Cement ASTM C172 Practice for Sampling Fresh Concrete ASTM C494 Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete ASTM C595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements ASTM C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete. ASTM 989 Specification for Ground Granulated BlastFurnace Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars. ASTM C1077 Practice for Laboratories Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in Construction and criteria for Laboratory Evaluation. ASTM D448 Specification for Standard Sizes of Coarse Aggregate for Highway Construction. ASTM D1557 Tests for Moisture-Density Relations of Soils and Soil Aggregate Mixtures Using 10 Pound Rammer and 18-inch Drop. ASTM E329 Standard Recommended Practice for Inspection and testing Agencies for Concrete, Steel and Bituminous Materials as Used in Construction.

B.

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 1. AASHTO T-180 Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a 101 pound (45.4 kg) Rammer and an 18 in. (457 mm) Drop.

104. Contractor Qualifications: The contractor shall have a proven record of constructing acceptable concrete slabs-on-grade. The use of an ACI Concrete Flatwork Certified Finisher is strongly recommended. 105. Pre-Bid Instructional Meeting: Prior to bidding, a mandatory meeting of contractors bidding on pervious concrete shall be held. A representative from one of the groups listed in Section 100 shall describe pervious concrete, its construction techniques and equipment, and answer questions about the product. Bids shall not be accepted from any contractor not attending this meeting unless evidence of two satisfactory projects can be provided. 106. Special Equipment: Pervious concrete requires specific equipment for compaction and jointing. Compaction by rolling shall be achieved using a

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minimum 10-inch diameter Schedule 40 steel pipe that spans the width of the section placed. Joints may either be sawed in the pavement using a green saw (same day) or wet saw or by rolling. Rolled joints shall be formed using a salt roller to which a beveled fin is welded around the circumference. . 107. Test Panels: Prior to construction, the Contractor shall place, joint and cure two test panels using the mix design, equipment, and placing crew proposed for the project. Each test panel shall be compacted to the thickness specified on the project plans and shall be a minimum of 225 sq. ft. The pavements compaction, porosity, and appearance shall be satisfactory to the Engineer and Owner prior to any placement at the project site. 1. At the contractors discretion, test panels may be placed at the site so as to be incorporated in the finished product. Test panels shall be evaluated for thickness, compaction and porosity. 2. If test panels placed at the site are found to be insufficiently pervious, insufficiently compacted, or of an unacceptable appearance, said panel(s) shall be removed at the contractors expense and taken to an approved landfill or recycling facility. . 3. If test panels are found to be satisfactory, they may be left in-place and included in the completed work. 4. Determination of thickness, porosity and compaction shall be determined by an inspector of choice of the Owner. Should contractor wish to dispute findings of inspector, acceptability shall be determined at Contractors expense by achieving compacted thickness according to ASTM C42 of no less than of specified thickness; Void structure of 10% minimum when tested in accordance with ASTM C140; and unit weight within plus or minus 5 pcf of the design unit weight when tested in accordance with ASTM C140 paragraph 6.3. 108. Concrete Mix Design: Prior to construction of the test panels, the Contractor shall provide the Owner and Engineer with copies of the proposed mix design showing weights of all materials in the mix and the unit weights determined in accordance with ASTM C29 paragraph 11, jigging procedure. The compacted void content shall be a minimum of 15%. The total cementitious content shall be a minimum of 630 pounds per cubic yard. Fly ash may be used. The waterto-cementitious ratio shall be a maximum of 0.30 lb/lb.

200. Materials:
201. General: Locally available material having a record of satisfactory performance shall be used. 202. Cement: Portland cement shall be ASTM C 150 Type II or V or ASTM C 595 Type IP or IS, unless specified otherwise.

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203. Fly ash and Ground Iron Blast-Furnace Slag: Flyash conforming to ASTM C618 Class F may be used in amounts not to exceed 20% of total cementitious material. Ground Iron Blast-Furnace Slag conforming to ASTM C989 may be used in amounts not to exceed 50% by weight of total cementitious material. 204. Aggregate: Use 3/8 coarse aggregate that complies with ASTM C 33 Size 8 (3/8 to No. 8). If another aggregate gradation is proposed for use, submit data on proposed material to Engineer for approval. Larger aggregate sizes increase pore size but decrease workability. Aggregates which are well graded reduce porosity, and may require reduction of cementitous content to meet void specifications. Note that reductions of percent voids and cementitious contents below the minimums of paragraph 108 require written approval of the Engineer and Owners Representative. 205. Admixtures: Admixtures shall conform to ASTM C 494 Type A Water Reducing Admixtures Type B Set Retarding Type D Water Reducing and Set Retarding A hydration stabilizer may be utilized in warmer weather and for longer transport times. The admixture shall also meet the requirements of ASTM C 494 Types B or D. 206. Water: Potable water shall comply with conventional good concrete practice. 207. Reinforcement: If used, reinforcement shall be fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). Such reinforcing bar may be used to tie adjacent pavement lanes together and shall be placed as detailed on the design drawings. FRP rebar shall be of at least one-half inch diameter. Steel or epoxy-coated steel shall not be used due to the exposure to moisture experienced in pervious concrete.

300. Proportions:
301. Cement Content: For pavement subject to vehicular traffic loading, the total cementitious content shall not be less than 630 pounds per cubic yard. 302. Aggregate Content: The volume of aggregate per cubic yard shall be equal to 27 cubic foot when calculated as a function of the unit weight determined in accordance with ASTM C29 jigging procedure. 303. Admixtures: Shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and recommendations. 304. Mix Water: Mix water shall be such that the cement paste displays a wet metallic sheen without causing the paste to flow from the aggregate. (Mix

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water yielding a cement paste with a dull-dry appearance has insufficient water for hydration). - Insufficient water results in inconsistency in the mix and poor bond strength. - High water content results in the paste sealing the void system primarily at the bottom and provides a poor surface bond.

400. Subgrade Preparation and Form-Work:

401. Subgrade Material: The top 6 inches shall be composed of granular or gravelly soil that is predominantly sandy with no more than a moderate amount of silt or clay. Granular subbase may be placed over the subgrade. 402. Subgrade Permeability: Subgrade should have a minimum permeability of 0.5 inch per hour. One suggested test for subgrade permeability is double ring infiltrometer. 403. Subgrade Support: The subgrade shall be compacted by a mechanical vibratory compactor to 95% of a maximum dry density as established by ASTM D1557 or AASHTO T180. Subgrade stabilization shall not be permitted for infiltration installations. If fill material (embankment) is required to bring the subgrade to final elevation, it shall be clean and free of deleterious materials. It shall be placed in 8-inch maximum layers, and compacted by a mechanical vibratory compactor to a minimum density of 95% of a dry density as established by ASTM D1557 or AASHTO T180. 404. Subgrade Moisture: The subgrade shall be in a moist condition (within +/3% of the optimum moisture content as determined by the modified compaction test ASTM D1557 or AASHTO T180). 405. Forms: Forms may be of wood or steel and shall be the depth of the pavement. Forms shall be of sufficient strength and stability to support mechanical equipment without deformation of plan profiles following spreading, strike-off and compaction operations. Forms shall have a removable spacer of to 3/4 thickness placed above the depth of pavement. The spacers are removed following placement and vibratory strike-off to allow roller compaction. Forms shall allow for tie-in to adjacent concrete via the use of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) reinforcing bar if so detailed.

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500. Mixing, Hauling and Placing: 501. Mix Time: Truck mixers shall be operated at the speed designated as mixing speed by the manufacturer for 75 to 100 revolutions of the drum. 502. Transportation: The Portland cement aggregate mixture may be transported or mixed on site and should be used within one (1) hour of the introduction of mix water, unless otherwise approved by an engineer. This time can be increased when utilizing the hydration stabilizer specified in section 205. 503. Discharge: Each mixer will be inspected for appearance of concrete uniformity. Water may be added to obtain the required mix consistency. A minimum of 20 revolutions at the manufacturers designated mixing speed shall be required following the addition of any water to the mix. Discharge shall be a continuous operation and shall be completed as quickly as possible. Concrete shall be deposited as close to its final position as practicable and such that fresh concrete enters the mass of previously placed concrete. 504. Placing and Finishing: Unless otherwise approved by the Owner or Engineer in writing, the Contractor shall provide mechanical equipment of either slipform or form riding with a following compactive unit that will provide a minimum of 10-psi vertical force. The pervious concrete pavement will be placed to the required cross-section and shall not deviate more than +/- 3/8 inch in 10 feet from profile grade. Normal placement procedures involve utilizing a mechanical vibratory screed to strike off the concrete to 3/4 above final height, utilizing the form spacers described in section 405. Following strike-off, the spacers are removed, and the concrete compacted to form level utilizing a steel roller made from nominal 10 diameter steel pipe. Care should be taken during compaction that full compactive force is achieved without working the concrete surface enough to seal off the surface porosity. Any apparent defects in the surface can be remedied by placing fresh concrete into any depressions and compacting using a hand tamper. Hand tampers shall be used to compact the concrete along the slab edges immediately adjacent to the forms. After roller compacting and defect inspection/fixing, no further finishing except the rolling of joints is performed on the concrete. The surface shall be immediately and continuously misted or fogged (see section 505) until curing material is applied. 505. Curing: Curing procedures shall begin within 20 minutes after final placement operations. The pavement surface shall be covered with a minimum of six (6)

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mil thick polyethylene sheet or other approved covering material. Prior to covering, a fog or light mist shall be sprayed above the surface when required due to ambient conditions (temperature, wind and humidity). The low water/cement ratio and high amount of exposed surface of pervious concrete makes its especially susceptible to drying. The cover shall overlap all exposed edges and shall be secured (without using dirt or stone) to prevent dislocation due to winds or adjacent traffic conditions. The surface shall remain covered for the following periods: 1. Portland Cement Type I, II or IS 7 days minimum 2. Portland Cement Type I or II with Class F Flyash (as part of the total cementitious) or Type IP 10 days minimum 3. No truck traffic shall be allowed for 10 days (no passenger car/light trucks for 7 days). If approved by the Owner and Engineer, portions of the cure time after 48 hours can be met by continuously misting an uncovered surface that is subjected to only light vehicular traffic. 506. Jointing: Control (contraction) joints shall be installed at regular intervals not to exceed 40 feet, or two times the width of the placement. They shall be installed at a depth of 1-1/2 or the concrete thickness for thicknesses greater than 8. These joints can be installed in the plastic concrete or saw cut. Joints installed in the plastic concrete are generally rolled in utilizing a salt roller to which a beveled fin has been welded around the circumference. Plastic joints are formed immediately after roller compaction and immediately prior to curing. If joints are saw cut, the procedure should begin as soon as the pavement has hardened sufficiently to prevent raveling and uncontrolled cracking (normally after 24 hours, so curing cover must be removed and surface remisted and recovered after joint sawing). Transverse construction joints shall be installed whenever placing is suspended for a sufficient length of time that concrete may begin to harden. Isolation (expansion) joints will not be used except when pavement is abutting slabs or other adjoining structures. 507. Grinding: Upon completion of curing, concrete may be ground if specified. The depth of grinding shall be established on the test panels.

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