Performance Evaluation of Paver Blocks Incorporated with Natural Rubber Latex for Heavy and Very Heavy Traffic Conditions

Paver blocks have almost become a permanent solution in areas where conventional paving systems are failing. Paver blocks are commonly used in residential areas and commercial areas for parking lots, low and medium traffic driveways, etc. Numerous advantages like durability, ease in maintenance, aesthetic appearance, etc., are promoting its application nowadays in pavements with heavy and very heavy traffic conditions. The present study is an investigation to employ natural rubber latex in concrete paver blocks with high and medium cementitious content suitable for heavy and very heavy traffic conditions. Concentrated natural rubber latex (with dry rubber content of 60%) having dosages 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% by weight of cement was used in the concrete blocks with and without fly ash. The compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and water absorption of natural rubber latex-modified paver blocks were evaluated to assess the performance and properties. The test results proved that natural rubber latex-modified concrete can enhance the flexural strength, reduce deflection, and improve the durability required for paver blocks, thereby indicating the possibility of its use in field.