Runoff purification effects of permeable concrete modified by diatomite and zeolite powder

Abstract

Diatomite and zeolite powder exhibit cellular structures that are beneficial to absorb pollutants in road surface runoff. In this work, the runoff purification effects of permeable concrete modified by diatomite and zeolite powder were studied. First, magnesium dihydroxide was used to modify diatomite; then the modified diatomite and the zeolite powder were innovatively adopted as binders to prepare permeable concrete. In addition, compressive strength, effective porosity, purification effect, and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) tests, as well as gray correlation analysis, were carried out. Finally, the optimal dosages of modified diatomite and zeolite powder in permeable concrete were suggested. The results show that diatomite (modified diatomite) and zeolite powder can improve the compressive strength, effective porosity, and runoff purification effects of permeable concrete. In addition, the 10% modified diatomite and the 3% zeolite powder exhibit the highest correlation with the properties of modified permeable concrete.