Material design and structural optimization of sustainable high-performance pervious concrete for engineering application

The recycling of waste glass has garnered attention in construction materials, yet its application remains limited due to the risk of alkali-silica reaction. This study presents a sustainable approach to the development of high-performance glass pervious concrete (HPGPC) for engineering applications, combining material innovation with structural optimization. In terms of material design, an ultra-high-strength mortar incorporating waste glass powder was developed to enhance aggregate bonding in HPGPC. Structurally, a robust ternary composite cover with steel reinforcement was introduced to integrate HPGPC, significantly improving the load-bearing capacity. Then, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to identify the optimal cover structure, followed by implementation in a pilot-scale demonstration. The results indicated that an HPGPC with a compressive strength exceeding 50 MPa and satisfactory permeability was developed when the content of waste glass aggregates reached 20 %. X-ray CT analysis revealed that controlling the amount of ultra-high-strength mortar effectively regulated the pore structure, increasing the number of interconnected pores, enlarging the throat EqDiameter and coordination number, and significantly reducing the quantity and size of isolated pores. Seepage simulation results confirmed that the permeability coefficient was closely correlated with these parameters, influenced by connected porosity, throat size, coordination number, and tortuosity. Additionally, the ternary composite structure with steel reinforcement significantly enhanced the mechanical performance of the HPGPC covers, meeting the Class F requirements according to the FACTA standard. The S-LCA and E-LCA analysis indicated that the HPGPC covers offered superior performance in terms of social sustainability, economic cost, energy consumption and GHG emissions. The excellent engineering performance was verified by on-site monitoring.