Performance evaluation and sustainability assessment of precast concrete paver blocks containing coarse and fine RAP fractions: A comprehensive comparative study

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2021-09, Vol.300, p.124042, Article 124042
• Main Authors: Nandi, Sumit, Ransinchung, G.D.R.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concrete paver blocks; Design methodology; Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP); Recycling; Staged mixing approach; Time-controlled dual-source compaction; Traffic applications
• ISSN: 0950-0618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124042

[Display omitted] •Precast concrete paver blocks containing RAP have potential traffic based applications.•Formulation of paver block mixes using higher proportion of coarse aggregate feasible.•Synchronized impact pressure and vibratory compaction energy may refine RAP agglomerates.•Dosage of coarse RAP fraction can be maximized up to 100% in concrete paver blocks.•Secondary water absorption rate and total permeable voids strongly correlated. Concrete paver blocks have recently developed as the most attractive and economically viable option for extensively recycling wastes. This deescalates the environmental concerns related to waste disposal, encourages conservation of natural resources, and contributes to a sustainable production process. In the present study, laboratory performance of concrete paver blocks using coarse and fine fractions of non-beneficiated reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials, derived as a waste residue from demolished asphalt pavement, was comprehensively and comparatively investigated. A two-factor analysis of variance and multiple comparisons test was performed to investigate the influence of RAP proportion and moist curing age. The laboratory findings revealed that the produced concrete blocks containing RAP have a great potential to be used for medium, heavy, and very-heavy traffic applications. The dosage of RAP as a natural aggregate replacement as well as the durability of RAP concrete can be increased using a staged mixing approach and a time-controlled dual-source compaction technique, which involves synchronized impact pressure and vibratory compaction energy. Moreover, assessing economic and environmental benefits highlighted the potentially sustainable aspects of recycling RAP fractions into precast concrete paver blocks.