Written by William G. Handlos, P.E. For two decades, I held the position of City Engineer and frequently had to explain to disbelieving homeowners, developers and elected officials – that gravel driveways and parking lots were not porous. I would explain that for purposes of stormwater runoff, such gravel pavements must be treated exactly as we would concrete and asphaltic pavements. They often bristled at the idea that gravel did not percolate water and were upset to find that their gravel driveway, lots and roadways were assumed to shed 100% of rainwater. So it is with more than a dose of irony that I now have found myself in the position of regularly explaining to local and state officials that aggregate pavements are not necessarily impervious. Stakeholders are so accustomed to repeating the impervious gravel mantra…that they forget to notice that porous aggregate is not the same thing as gravel. I think it is best to start with a primer on the vernacular. A “good” gravel (Image 1) should have 40 to 70% stone, well-graded from 1/4” to 2-1/2” diameter; 20 to 50% sand; and 10% +/- fines. It should resist abrasion, shed water and be capable of being compacted. A… Read more »
Monthly Archives: September 2014
Recent Posts
- Conserving Natural Resources Using Geosynthetics
- Understanding Hoop Stress in Geocells
- Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Using Geosynthetics
- Meet the Presto Geosystems Team: Get to Know Bryan
- Are material shortages delaying your road construction projects? Here is how to stay on schedule and within budget.
Archives
- March 2023
- December 2022
- October 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- October 2019
- August 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- January 2018
- November 2017
- July 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- January 2015
- November 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- May 2014
- March 2014
Categories
- ATRA Geocell Accessories
- Construction Mats (GEOTERRA & GEORUNNER)
- Design Specification
- Energy Industry
- General
- Geocell Confinement System
- Geosynthetics Industry
- GEOWEB Geocells for Channels
- GEOWEB Geocells for Railroad Solutions
- GEOWEB Geocells for Retaining Walls
- GEOWEB Geocells for Unpaved Roads & Pavement Reinforcement
- GEOWEB Geocells Soil Stabilization System
- Grass Pavers for Porous Paving (GEOBLOCK)
- Gravel Pavers for Permeable Pavements (GEOPAVE)
- Oil & Gas Roads & Platforms
- Porous Pavements
- Ports