Experimental study on an in situ concrete block pavement under heavy traffic loads

In developing countries, it is necessary to have appropriate transport infrastructure and industrial facilities that support the fluctuating loads from increased use over time. The in situ concrete block pavements (ISCBP) arise as a cost-effective alternative to the traditional solutions. Few studies that analyse the structural behaviour of ISCBP mention that it works like a flexible pavement. However, these studies are based on experience and results of surface deflections. To analyse the behaviour of ISCBP, two test sections were constructed, in which the vertical stresses, generated by mobile and impact loads (HWD) with different load levels, were measured in the granular base. The results were compared using a layered elastic analysis programme (MnLayer). Under the conditions of this study, the comparison between the measured vertical stresses and those estimated by the programme indicated that the ISCBP presented a linear elastic behaviour. Similar to a flexible pavement, ISCBP reached coefficients of determination (R2) in the order of 0.99 and biases that ranged from 11% to 48% when applying impact loads. Nevertheless, the modulus of the block layer demonstrated that it is dependent on thickness.