Performance evaluation of interlocking paving units in aggressive environments

This study evaluates the performance of interlocking paving when exposed to aggressive environments. Durability of paving units is an essential property as it determines its capability of withstanding the different conditions to which it is expected to be exposed to- Chemical, physical, and mechanical causes can result in lack of durability. Chemical cause can arise from attack by chlorides, physical cause may be due to exposure to high temperature variations, while mechanical causes are usually associated with abrasion. Experiments were carried out to determine product compressive strength, water absorption, and abrasion resistance according to both Egyptian Standard Specifications (ESS) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). An interlocking paving mix was chosen and exposed to various aggressive media for a duration of 2 months after being cured for 28 days. The aggressive environments were as follows: 1% HCl, 5% HCl solution (to simulate acid attack resistance), dry and wet cycles, as well as, air (room temperature) and dry cycles (to simulate different environmental conditions). The tested products were also X-rayed to investigate the mineralogical analysis. The following was concluded. The four aggressive media increased compressive strength when compared to the control mix. Also, they resulted in reducing water absorption percentages and met the criteria for water absorption concerning heavy duty according to ESS. Samples which were exposed to the four aggressive environments conditions did not satisfy both criteria of ESS and ASTM pertaining abrasion.