Tamping

Tamping is an important construction step when installing permeable pavements systems. Tamping allows for the permeable surface (concrete or pavers) to set and adhere to the bedding layer beneath. Tamping also allows for flattening or evening out the surface, resulting in visually appealing finish.

Construction Steps:

1. Remove any pieces that have imperfections on the surface.
2. Place the tamper onto the pavement surface.
3. Pass the tamper across all the pavement area.

Key Inspection Points:

• Equipment: According to the (City of Edmonton, 2016), tamp the permeable surface with a "low amplitude plate vibrator (22-kN) compaction force at 75 to 95 Hz".

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Pervious Concrete
  • Delays in tamping the pervious concrete. Tamping should be completed no more than 15 minutes after the concrete was placed.

• Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers
  • Not placing a rubber pad beneath the tamper, as it could damage the surface of the pavers.

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  Tamping of Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement units after being placed on-site.
  (This Old House, 2022)

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  Tamping of permeable concrete at TRCA's head office in Vaughn, Ontario.
  (Photo source: TRCA, 2009)

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Low impact development is a stormwater management and land development strategy applied at the parcel and subdivision scale that emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features integrated with engineered, small scale hydrologic controls to more closely mimic pre-development hydrologic functions.

A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting.

The property of a material that allows the infiltration or passage of water (or other liquids).