THE DESIGN OF CONCRETE BLOCK ROADS

Tests to determine the load-spreading ability of concrete block paving have been made with a variety of blocks laid in stretcher-bond and in herringbone pattern. The results confirm the observation made of roads in service that, if properly laid, blocks interlock so that they act together to spread load rather than acting as individual units. The tests indicate that, as the applied stress is increased, the load-spreading ability of block paving improves: with loads similar to those applied by commercial vehicles, the stress at the top of the sub-base is only about 60% of that applied to the surface of the road. By comparing the test results with the theoretical load-spreading ability of traditional flexible materials, it is possible to estimate the thickness of bituminous layers which gives a similar load-spreading ability and, therefore, to give an indication of the design lives of various classes of housing estate road surfaced with concrete blocks.

• Corporate Authors:

  Cement and Concrete Association

  Wexham Spring
  Slough SL3 6PL, Buckinghamshire,   England 
• Authors:
  • Knapton, J
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commercial vehicles; Concrete blocks; Concrete pavements; Pavement design; Pavement layers; Pavements; Precast concrete pavements; Stresses; Subbase (Pavements); Thickness; Traffic loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement thickness; Subbase
• ITRD Terms: 4758: Cement; 7163: Chemical analysis; 4755: Concrete; 9011: Design (overall design); 6440: Error; 5567: Load; 9045: Micro; 2955: Pavement; 3055: Pavement design; 4561: Slag; 5575: Stress (in material)
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139676
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 6 1976 12:00AM