Between 2020 and 2022, two graduate students, University of Cape Town (UCT) Department of Civil Engineering completed two studies on the permeability of the Terracrete pavers, and the factors that influences this. Ryan Moore completed his research in 2020 and Banele Noqayi completed his late 2021, both under the tutelage of Prof. Neil Armitage, Department of Civil Engineering, UCT.
Banele Noqayi doing a drench test at a private residence in Woodstock, Cape Town
Ryan Moore doing a drench test at Busamed Hospital, Milnerton, Western Cape
Double ring infiltrometer test to check baseline permeability at certain sites that were tested
What are the benefits of Eco-pavers?
- Promotes reduction of storm water load into natural discharge channels and into sewerage conveyance systems.
- Can reduce excessive flooding in urban areas.
- Encourages bi-directional flow of water, either into subterranean aquifers or to allow high water tables to release moisture into the atmosphere.
- Allows beneficial soil borne microorganisms, that can neutralise harmful contaminants, to flourish and migrate.
- Can significantly reduce the effect of heat generating islands in urban areas.
- Can be employed to reverse the sealed nature of large expanses of asphalt to create infiltration lines that can also host significant tree cover.
