Permeable Pavement Solution

In a recent G3 project for Grandview at Clearpond, our designers really thought “out of the box” when choosing to implement a new technology to the area. They were faced with the dilemma of designing a parking area after the stormwater management permits had already been approved.  Typical commercial pavement construction involves concrete or asphalt, both impermeable thus creating an issue for stormwater runoff that was not part of the plan.  The team at G3 turned to a fairly unknown company called TRUEGRID. TRUEGRID implements a plastic grid reinforcement system that allows for the use of a permeable paver – grass or gravel.  This is a permanent solution for light traffic applications as in this case a parking lot for multi-family housing. Gravel without an underlying reinforced system will spread resulting in expensive refilling as well as grading to remove rutting, ponding or washouts caused by everyday use and rainstorms. 

The TRUEGRID system allows drainage and stormwater retention to be incorporated directly under the parking lot, it also helps to lower heat retaining pavement thus keeping it much cooler. And as we all know black asphalt along the Grand Strand can be torture.

TRUEGRID is UV stabilized 100% post-consumer recycled plastics and recycled concrete or road base for its sub-base drainage and retention system. It is 98% permeable, decreases the impact of flooding, and eliminates costly storm drain construction and soil stabilization.  The system also allows for the use of their Proplus Superspot for marking individual parking spots.  This was a first for Horry County but once the process was clearly understood its use was approved. Don’t be surprised if you see this new technology being used more frequently throughout the area.

Congratulations
Brady Gantt, P.E. &
Brandon Truesdale, P.E.!!!
Both are now Professional Engineers and G3 couldn't be more proud!

Congratulations Hobie Hobart
Coastal Carolina Class of 2022!

Hobie graduated with a degree in Engineering Science, and has been employed with G3 for five years. His future goals are to earn his P.E. within the next four years.  

Welcome Todd Williams

Todd moved to the area early last year from Peoria, Arizona. He has  undertaken several different directions in his employment over the past several years but has longed to get back into drafting. Todd is a CADD Technician I and is learning the in and outs of his new position and is looking forward to incorporating his previous experience as a mechanical engineering drafter.

Disposable Masks Could be used to Improve Concrete.

With the pervasive single-use masks during the pandemic now presenting an environmental problem, researchers have demonstrated the idea of incorporating old masks into a cement mixture to create stronger, more durable concrete. In a paper published in the journal, Materials Letters, a Washington State University research team showed that the mixture using mask materials was 47% stronger than commonly used cement after a month of curing.  Production of cement is a carbon-intensive process, responsible for as much as 8% of carbon emissions worldwide.  Microfibers are already sometimes added to cement concrete to strengthen it, but they’re expensive. The microfiber-reinforced concrete can potentially reduce the amount of cement needed for a project or make the concrete last longer, saving carbon emissions as well as money for builders and owners.  

After mixing the fibers with a special solution, they are then added to cement concrete to strengthen it and to prevent its cracking.  Researchers are also testing the mixture to see if such microfibers absorb or dissipate the fracture energy that would contribute to tiny cracks in the concrete.  Without the fibers, these microscopic cracks would eventually lead to wider cracks and the material’s failure.  The process could also improve the durability of the concrete and protect it from frost damage and from deicing chemicals that are used on roadways.

Materials provide by Washington State University. Originally written by Tina Hilding