Concrete is an amazing material for a long list of reasons and it is the perfect choice for sidewalks, driveways, buildings, and other structures. However, concrete has improved in several ways throughout history, and inventors are always looking for new ways to use it. Now, a company in the UK has developed a new type of concrete that can actually absorb water at an alarming rate.
That’s right; water-absorbing concrete is a real thing. The specialized form of concrete, called Topmix Permeable, can actually absorb as much as 1,000 liters of water per minute. While it may sound hard to believe, the company has performed several demonstrations that underline the effectiveness of the concrete. In one video, a truck poured more than 4,000 liters of water on to a section of Topmix Permeable concrete, and it vanished almost instantly.
Just how does this concrete work? Well, unlike traditional concrete, Topmix Permeable contains no sand or crushed stone. Instead, the concrete is placed over another layer made entirely out of crushed stone, which allows the concrete itself to remain porous. The water simply moves through the concrete, into the aggregate layer, and eventually makes its way into the earth below.
While the practical application of this concrete remains to be seen, it could be effective in areas that are prone to flooding. And although this is the first example of concrete that has been able to absorb water, it is similar in many ways to porous asphalt and paving blocks that have been used in several cities across the U.S.
We’re eager to see what the future holds for water absorbing concrete, and we’ll be sure to update you with any new information!