Application of destruction specific energy for characterisation of concrete paving blocks

Concrete interlocking paving blocks (CIPB) are used in a variety of commercial, municipal and industrial applications. This study aimed to develop a prescription (optimum parameters of aggregate proportion, water/cement (w/c) ratio and dosage) for producing CIPB based on destruction specific energy (SEdes), strength, hardness and abrasion resistance. In developing countries, CIPB are being produced by a trial and error method, which results in uneconomical and low engineering properties. This may arise as a result of the lack of confidence and the lack of technical experience in the CIPB field. In order to gain these qualifications, optimum water/cement (w/c) ratio and dosages, and optimum aggregate characteristics at different ages are determined for CIPB within the scope of the presented study. Recently defined SEdes, which is estimated from the area (integral) under the stress strain envelope in unconfined compression test, is used. The splitting and flexural tensile strengths, rebound hardness and abrasion resistance results showed consistency with the SEdes. The optimum parameters of aggregate proportion, w/c ratio and dosage are obtained. Accordingly, the application of SEdes for production of CIPB results in lower cost and higher quality engineering properties for CIPB.