Analysis of durability testing of concrete landscaping units

In recent years the problem of the durability of vibrocompacted concrete products (landscaping elements, paving blocks in particular) has received great attention in Europe. In Easter Europe there are rather aggressive climate conditions (temperature fluctuations, humidity, precipitation, etc.). Besides, in winter concrete paving is treated with sodium, calcium, magnesium chloride salts that accelerate the deterioration of concrete paving block structure. European standard EN 1338:2003+AC:2006 that sets forth the basic requirements and test methods for concrete paving blocks does not take into account the performance of concrete products under specific climatic conditions. Therefore, it is important to determine the basic technological factors that influence the quality of vibrocompacted concrete, in particular freeze-thaw resistance, and to optimize the composition and other technological properties of vibrocompacted concrete. The freeze-thaw resistance of concrete has to be measured by different methods. The present paper describes the testing of concrete paving blocks, the top layer of which contained different amounts of cement ranging from 527 to 385 kg/m3. The cement content in the bottom (support) layer compositions of all specimens remained the same - 371 kg/m3. Density, freeze-thaw resistance according to two different methods, splitting tensile strength and abrasion resistance were measured in the tests.