Interlocking Aperture Concrete Block: An Answer to Permeable Pavement

An increase in impermeable pavement surfaces, with the growth of urban areas, enhances the risk of local flooding and water logging. Permeable pavements (PP) can be a solution to these problems. However, permeable interlocking concrete block with aperture arranged to increase water permeability can be a better solution to the problem. The present study suggests an optimum aperture diameter and its arrangement pattern to increase permeability of interlocking concrete paver block (CPB) without affecting the strength. Different possible aperture and arrangement patterns on uni-pave shape CPB are analysed using finite element model. Maximum compressive load-carrying capacity of CPB, stress, strain and deformation are analysed to develop a regression model to obtain optimum aperture size and its arrangement pattern. Comparison of various properties of selected aperture block with the control block observed that density, compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity is reduced with increase in water absorption but remain within the codal provisions. The selected aperture CPBs compared to control block not only increase rate of infiltration but also are structurally safe enough for use in the interlocking aperture concrete block pavement system in the medium traffic condition.