9.Integrated Ecological Concrete with Water Permeability & Photocatalysis: Current Pavement Application & Material Upgrade Trend for Sponge Cities and Zero-carbon Buildings

1. Current practical landing cases
With the global promotion of sponge city construction and zero-carbon park planning, integrated ecological concrete with water permeability and photocatalytic functions has been widely used in urban landscape pavement projects. At present, this new ecological material has been applied in urban pedestrian sidewalks, community parking lots, park landscape roads and sponge city rainwater collection pavement projects in China and Southeast Asian countries. It has excellent water permeability, which can effectively realize surface rainwater infiltration, replenish groundwater and relieve urban waterlogging. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic function can degrade automobile exhaust and surface pollutants, realizing ecological purification of urban public space.

2. Existing performance defects
In practical engineering application, the comprehensive performance of traditional photocatalytic permeable concrete still has obvious defects. The porous structure designed for water permeability leads to low overall structural strength, which is easy to be damaged by vehicle rolling and pedestrian extrusion, with short service life. The internal pores are easy to be blocked by sediment, dust and fallen leaves, resulting in reduced water permeability and failure of sponge city drainage function. In addition, the traditional photocatalytic materials are greatly affected by light and temperature conditions, with unstable pollutant degradation efficiency, poor durability of functional effects, and easy attenuation of purification performance after long-term use.

3. Future material upgrade direction
The future upgrade direction of ecological concrete is to realize the integration of high strength, anti-clogging and efficient photocatalysis. Optimize the aggregate gradation and bonding matrix structure of permeable concrete to improve the overall bearing strength and wear resistance on the premise of ensuring water permeability. Develop modified high-efficiency photocatalytic composite materials with low light dependence and long durability, and load them on the high-strength permeable substrate in a compound way. Realize the organic integration of rainwater infiltration, water purification, air purification and structural bearing, and fully adapt to the construction needs of overseas zero-carbon industrial parks, ecological scenic spots and low-carbon urban supporting facilities.

4. Commercial product implementation
Formulate unified standardized premix formulas for integrated ecological concrete, realize factory pre-mixing production of materials, and ensure stable product quality. Compile complete standardized pavement construction processes and maintenance specifications to standardize on-site construction operation standards. Form targeted product solutions for different overseas urban ecological construction scenarios, provide one-stop material supply and construction technical services for overseas sponge city and zero-carbon landscape projects, and build a competitive ecological building material product system for international market.

Conclusion

Upgraded high-strength anti-clogging photocatalytic permeable concrete solves the durability and functional instability problems of traditional ecological materials. It integrates urban waterlogging prevention and air purification functions, perfectly matching the construction demands of global sponge cities and zero-carbon ecological parks. Standardized premix products will support its large-scale international promotion and engineering application.