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Benefits
Applications
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Pervious Concrete And the Heat Island Effect
The heat island effect is a phenomenon which has accompanied and increased with urbanization, and it refers to the fact that man-made structures tend to attract and retain heat at a higher rate than is normal in nature. This results in an increase in ground-level ozone production by as much as 30%. In 2005, a tightly-packed urban area can average as much as twelve degrees warmer than its surrounding rural regions.
Choice of building material is key in reversing the heat island effect, for it is the dense, dark-colored structures which attract sunlight and retain it for long periods of time. All concrete, including pervious concrete, has a light color that resists heat absorption. The open pore structure of pervious concrete allows air to circulate within, resulting in even lower heat retainment.
Furthermore, since trees are able to coexist with porous pavement, they can easily be incorporated into urban settings. Trees provide shade and release oxygen, both which contribute significantly to the lowering of temperatures. By incorporating these strategies and reducing the heat island effect, air conditioning costs can be lowered by as much as 12%, the intensity of air pollution lessened, and heat-related health problems prevented.
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