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 (SE _des), 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 SE _des, 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 SE _des The optimum parameters of aggregate proportion, w/c ratio and dosage are obtained. Accordingly, the application of SE _des for production of CIPB results in lower cost and higher quality engineering properties for CIPB.