Improvement of mechanical interlocking of non geometric interlocking concrete blocks

Abstract

Today most of the rural roads and sidewalks in urban areas paved with Interlocking concrete blocks. Also non geometric interlocking blocks; cobble shapes are widely used for paving due to aesthetic appearance, availability in various sizes and laying patterns and less manufacturing cost. The mechanical interlocking between these non-geometric interlocking blocks plays a major role in transferring the load to adjacent blocks and finally to the durability of those constructed pavements. It is revealed in the literature survey that no proper study has been done to improve the mechanical interlocking of non-geometric interlocking concrete blocks. In this research several experiments were conducted to investigate the texture of non-geometric interlocking blocks and the filling mediums which contribute to improve the interlocking system. Experiments were conducted with various combination of surface texture, filling material and gap between blocks. Optimum conditions to improve the mechanical interlocking were identified in this study.