Publication

Abstract : Interlocking concrete block pavement (ICBP) is one of the pavement types adopted worldwide. The influential parameter of ICBP is comparatively more, which includes the geometric parameters of the interlocking paver blocks such as the size, shape, thickness, strength, and laying pattern of the blocks, and the gradations of the jointing and bedding sand. Other than the wearing surface, the thickness and properties of the bedding sand, base, and subgrade also play a vital role in the deflection properties of ICBP. The objective of the present study is to analyze the influence of block thickness, base thickness, and granular layer thickness on the deflection behavior and stress distribution of ICBP. The block thicknesses used for this study are 80, 100, and 120 mm; the bedding sand thicknesses are 30, 50, and 70 mm; and the base thicknesses are 150, 300, and 450 mm. The experimental work is carried out using the laboratory plate load test to determine the deflection and stress distribution of ICBP. Numerical analysis is also employed to simulate laboratory testing. The study attempts to find the most influential factor and the optimized parametric value for attaining lower deflection using Design-Expert software. The test results conclude that the thicknesses of the block and granular layer play an imperative role among the considered parameters.