Comparative Economic-Engineering Evaluation of Concrete Block Pavements

ABSTRACT This paper presents a comparative engineering-economical evaluation and analysis of flexible, rigid, and Concrete Block Pavements (CBP) at different structure alternatives. Several key factors were involved in the analysis. They are: three types of traffic categories—Occasional, Medium, and Very Heavy; one subgrade strength (CBR=4%); local pavement design practice (current design curves for flexible, rigid and CBP pavements); consideration of both initial construction and maintenance costs; total pavement life—20 years with major maintenance implementation at 10 and 20 years; local construction and maintenance costs. The results of the analysis shows that: 1) The construction cost of the CBP is higher than that of the flexible pavement at the medium and low traffic categories; however, it is lower for the heavy traffic; 2) The absolute values of construction plus the maintenance cost of CBP are always equal or less than that of flexible pavements; 3) The total CBP cost capitalized to the first day of service is higher than that of the flexible for the low and medium traffic, but became lower for high pavement thickness; and 4) The cost of CBP is substantially lower than the rigid pavement for all traffic categories and all cost alternatives. The economic-engineering evaluation presented here may also provide a general methodology for a comparative evaluation of different types and combinations of pavement structures under any condition. Although the specific pavement design methods, maintenance techniques, and unit prices are local by nature, the basic scheme presented here may serve as a universal basis for evaluating specific conditions for any given transportation engineering project, in which the selection of a pavement type is a key issue.