Seepage Analysis of Interlocking Concrete Block Pavements

ABSTRACT One of the important parameters for interlocking concrete block pavements, especially for high potential rainfall zones is drainage evacuation of water from the pavement's surface. Although some of the run-off drains at the surface through provision of surface slope, manholes and water ducts, there is no doubt that some of it infiltrates into the pavement. Penetration of water into the pavement is very significant in areas which are restricted by slope such as container yards at ports and aprons at airports. Effective parameters on penetration of water are; block shape and size, joint width, thickness of bedding sand, grading of joint and bedding sand, rainfall rate, type and thickness of base and sub-base layers. This paper has investigated the aforementioned important parameters assuming base and sub base layers specifications are constant. Penetration of water into the pavements is determined using Seep 3D software after calibrating it by field testing.