Process-Based Mechanisms and Lifecycle Mitigation of Clogging in Interlocking Permeable Pavements: Critical Insights for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

Abstract

Interlocking permeable pavements (IPPs) are increasingly adopted within sustainable urban drainage systems to reduce runoff, improve water quality, and strengthen climate-resilient urban infrastructure. However, clogging remains the principal constraint on their long-term hydraulic performance and wider implementation. This review synthesises current evidence on clogging mechanisms, hydraulic decline, and lifecycle mitigation strategies for permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICPs), concrete grid pavements (CGPs), and plastic grid pavers (PGPs). The literature is dominated by PICP studies, with CGP and PGP underrepresented, restricting typology-specific assessment. Sediment accumulation within joints, grid openings, bedding layers, and near-surface interfaces is consistently identified as the primary clogging mechanism, while traffic, rainfall-runoff loading, biological processes, pollutant retention, and sediment inputs from adjacent impervious surfaces further influence hydraulic deterioration. The findings indicate that hydraulic performance is influenced not only by pavement age but also by interactions among pavement design, filler or joint material, drainage configuration, construction quality, sediment exposure, monitoring, and maintenance. Effective mitigation therefore requires lifecycle management, encompassing source control, pretreatment, appropriate material selection, construction quality assurance, routine hydraulic monitoring, and timely preventive and restorative maintenance. Future research should prioritise standardised clogging assessment protocols, improved laboratory–field integration, targeted investigation of CGP and PGP, biological and pollutant-linked clogging processes, climate-driven rainfall extremes, and decision-support.