Pervious concrete fill in Pearl-Chain Bridges: Using small-scale results in full-scale implementation

• The void content follows a logarithmic tendency through layers compacted from above.
• Layer thicknesses of 27 cm before compaction give homogenous void contents in layers.
• The compressive strength of homogeneous specimens is linear with void content.
• Pervious concrete is implemented as fill in a 26 m long Pearl-Chain Bridge.
• European quality control regulations are needed for pervious concrete in the field.

Pearl-Chain Bridge technology is a new prefabricated arch solution for highway bridges. This study investigates the feasibility of pervious concrete as a filling material in Pearl-Chain Bridges. The study is divided into two steps: (1) small-scale tests where the variation in vertical void distribution and strength properties is determined for 800 mm high blocks cast in different numbers of layers, and (2) full-scale implementation in a 26 m long Pearl-Chain Bridge. With a layer thickness of 27 cm, the small-scale tests indicated homogenous results; however, for the full-scale implementation, the same degree of homogeneity was not shown.