Characteristics of pervious concrete using incineration bottom ash in place of sandstone graded material

•The incineration bottom ash replaced the aggregate of pervious concrete.•Bottom ash (#4) and water-cement ratio 0.55 has maximum compressive strength.•Compressive strength of permeable bricks is higher than traditional red bricks.•Permeability coefficients reach requirement of permeable pavement (10−2cm/s).•It is recommended for general bicycle ways, sidewalks or landscaping. The effects of replacing sandstone with incineration bottom ash and different water-to-cement ratios and aggregate sizes in pervious concrete bricks preparation were investigated. Among the various permeable brick specimens, the compressive strengths of 11 different mix proportions exceeded that of traditional red bricks (by 14MPa), and was maximum for the specimen with bottom ash aggregate size #4 and a water-to-cement ratio 0.55. The permeability coefficients, although smaller than that of general pervious concrete, were within general permeable pavement specifications (10−2cm/s). Therefore, it is recommended for general bicycle ways, sidewalks, and landscaping, not roads with high traffic flow.