Optimising the hydraulic performance of Permeable Pavement Systems: Novel materials as water barrier/treatment

This research reports the application of OASIS ® phenolic foam to Permeable Pavement Systems (PPS) as a replacement or enhancement to the hydrological performance provided by conventional geotextiles. This performance of PPS containing OASIS was tested in comparison with PPS utilising Inbitex ® geotextile and designs with no barrier systems. To evaluate the hydraulic response of PPS, infiltration rates, time to first discharge and total discharged volume were studied at a laboratory scale under 45mm/hr rain events of 1hr duration over the course of 9 weeks. Results showed that PPS designs containing OASIS, prior to saturation, improved the water storage capacity of the systems and provided an additional delay to reach the peak flow when compared to those PPS designs utilising Inbitex. OASIS, prior to saturation, retains all absorbed water volume resulting in high levels of readily available water for reuse. Further testing under various rainfall regimes is needed to fully understand the parameters influencing the water retention capacity of OASIS in the so-called absorption zone and how OASIS retention capacity could be optimised.