Effects of specimen geometry and moulding techniques on pervious concrete mechanical performance

Pervious concrete (PC) is a sustainable solution for mitigating urban drainage and surface runoff; however, casting and compaction parameters, specimen geometry and standardised testing methods remain insufficiently defined, limiting consistent performance evaluation. This study examines, for a single PC mix, the influence of specimen geometry and moulding technique on mechanical properties and permeability, compares technical standards and evaluates the feasibility of standardisation. The adapted infiltration test for cubic specimens proved effective and simpler than testing larger blocks. Results showed that permeability increased as specimen height decreased under single-layer roller compaction, indicating dimensional dependence. For compressive strength, 100 mm cubes exhibited lower variability (CV ≈ 7.4%) than 150 mm cubes (CV ≈ 14.8%) and cores (CV = 19.1%). The four-point flexural test provided more reliable elastic modulus values and enabled the reuse of prisms for splitting tests. Overall, the results support simplified, standardised PC testing protocols with reduced time and resource demands while maintaining data consistency.