UCT initiates research into improving South African permeable paving performance

Figure: D. Beer

Neil Armitage and civil engineering and permeable paving research student, Kimberly Liu, pose next to the 10 experimental permeable paving cells at UCT Civil Engineering laboratory

Figure: D. Beer

Figure: UCT

Washing the aggregate in the UCT laboratory

Figure: UCT

The Swift test bucket

Figure: UCT

Water samples for testing

Figure: UCT

Figure: D. Beer

The NEB parking lot blocked up with tree foliage and wind-blown soil

Figure: D. Beer

The unblocked middle section of the NEB parking lot

Figure: D. Beer

The Civil Engineering Department of the University of Cape Town (UCT) has embarked on a research program, which aims at improving the performance of South African permeable paving installations. Deputy Director Neil Armitage is being assisted by a working group comprised of professionals and some civil engineering students.

The Civil Engineering Department of the University of Cape Town has embarked on a research program, which aims at improving the performance of South African permeable paving installations. Locally introduced 10 years ago, initial evidence suggests that permeable paving is not meeting its objectives of retarding the short-circuiting of storm water discharge nor the elimination of contaminants from storm water run-off with the desired level of success.

The research work is being spearheaded by Neil Armitage, Deputy Director: Future Water and a professor in UCT’s Department of Civil Engineering,...