The use of porous concrete in various infrastructure applications such as pavements, infiltration beds, and low-volume load areas is increasingly encouraged due to its environmental benefits. The performance of porous concrete is strongly influenced by its pore structure and overall porosity. Researchers have employed multiple methodologies to characterise pore size and distribution, and to assess their effects on permeability, hydraulic conductivity, and compressive strength. This review investigates several pore measurement techniques aimed at improving both the hydraulic and mechanical performance of porous concrete. Among these, image analysis emerges as the most accurate method for assessing porosity distribution, offering higher resolution and fewer limitations compared to traditional techniques. Despite these advancements, a debate remains regarding the relative importance of effective porosity versus total porosity. This work comprehensively evaluates and synthesises existing methods for pore structure analysis, thereby enhancing our understanding of how porosity influences concrete behaviour. The findings indicate that effective porosity alone is insufficient to predict hydraulic conductivity, whereas total porosity has a considerable effect on compressive strength. This insight can be used to optimise the balance between strength and permeability in porous concrete, supporting its broader implementation as a sustainable construction material.

Drill cuttings from oil exploration are recognised as a major environmental concern. Current cost-effective treatment technologies often involve sending treated products to landfill without any potential end-use thereby rendering these solutions unsustainable. There is potential for using drill cuttings comprising of oily, saline and clayey waste materials as fine aggregate replacements in structural concretes requiring characteristic compressive strength from 20-32 MPa. Research into the hydration process as well as evaluating the fresh and hardened properties of mortars incorporating synthetic drill cuttings were undertaken. Replacement of sand by synthetic drill cuttings (up to 25% by weight) produced mortar with accelerated hydration as well as reduced flow and density. In addition, the 28-day compressive strength of mortar incorporating synthetic drill cuttings decreased by up to 50%. Satisfactory strength for all sand replacement levels evaluated in mortars was still attainable for reuse of these synthetic of drill cuttings as fine aggregate replacements in structural concretes.