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G. Navya Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications [Link]

ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 8( Version 6), August 2014, pp.34-38

RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

Experimental Investigation on Properties Concrete Paver Block

with the Inclusion of Natural Fibers
G. Navya*, J. Venkateswara Rao**
*( P.G student, Department of civil engineering, G.M.R.I.T, India)
** (Associate professor, Department of civil engineering, G.M.R.I.T, India)

ABSTRACT
In this experimental investigation the compressive strength, water absorption and flexural strength of paver
blocks were determined by adding Coconut fibers in the top 20mm thickness. Coconut fibers were added in
proportions of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% in volume of concrete. The compressive strength, flexural
strength and water absorption were determined at the end of 7 and 28 days. Test results indicate that addition of
coconut fiber by 0.3% paver block attains maximum compressive strength. Test results indicate that addition of
coconut fiber gradually increases flexural strengths and water absorption at 7 and 28 days. In this investigation
at 0.3% of coconut fiber content effect of top layer thickness on compressive strength and flexural strength is
also determined. Results show that inclusion of fibers even up to 50% of top layer thickness compressive and
flexural strengths are increasing. The paper also shows the cost comparison per each block.
Keywords – Coconut Fiber, Compressive Strength, Cost, Flexural Strength, Paver Block, Water Absorption.

I. INTRODUCTION were extracted from coconut seeds and chopped into

Concrete fails suddenly under tension and cracks 40 mm in length. Compressive strength and modulus
excessively when unreinforced. Steel rebar is of rupture of CFRC specimens were determined
conventionally used to reinforce concrete. But, it is following standard procedures at curing ages of 7, 21,
very expensive. In tropical regions, natural fibers are 28 and 56 days. Also, crack pattern was monitored.
abundantly available which when utilized will reduce Rao, K. M. M. has focused on Extraction and tensile
the cost of reinforced concrete and improve its properties of natural fibers. By using coconut fiber
performance. Now-a-days concrete paver blocks are the tensile properties of concrete has been increased.
used in various applications like street road, small Baruah, P., and Talukdar, S. has observed the
and medium market roads, low volume roads and compressive, flexural, tensile and shear strength of
other construction places. Concrete block pavement concrete with fibers of different origins. Compressive
will absorb stress such as small earthquakes, freezes strength and modulus of rupture of CFRC specimens
and thaws, and slight ground erosion by flexing. were determined at curing ages of 7, 21, 28 and 56
In the recent past, there has been growing days. Also, crack pattern was monitored. Munawar,
interest in studying the properties of coconut fibers. S.S., K. Umemura, and S. Kawai have determined the
In the concrete paver block fibers are introduced to characterization of the morphological, physical, and
increases strength, durability and reduction in crakes. mechanical properties of seven non-wood plant
The concrete paver block maintenance is low and fibers. Ramakrishna, G. and Sundararajan, T. Studied
economic when compared with other pavements. The on the durability of natural fibers and the effect of
experimentally investigation is that compressive corroded fibers on the strength of mortar.
strength and flexural strength of concrete paver block In the present investigation coconut fibers were
is more by using fiber and it can be used in heavy added in the mix in different proportions varying
traffic area and give surface resistance for higher life. from 0.1% to 0.5% in the volume of concrete. The
By using fibers in concrete paver block it increases influence of addition of these fibers in the top 20mm
resistance to impact/abrasion & greatly improves thickness was studied. By taking 0.3% as optimum
quality of construction. Therefore, paver blocks with dosage the influence of top layer thickness is also
fibers do not easily crack, break or buckle like studied.
pouring asphalt or poured concrete.
II. MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
1.1 Literature review 2.1 Materials:
Alake, Adewale Doyinsola has determined In paver block different types of material are
“Strength development and crack pattern of coconut used. In top layer cement, semi grit, dolomite powder
fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC)”the use of coconut and pigment are used and in bottom layer cement,
fibers as reinforcement in concrete. Coconut fibers fine aggregate, quarry dust is used. Also at different

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ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 8( Version 6), August 2014, pp.34-38

percentages coconut fiber are used. Ordinary Portland Mix Design Proportion for Bottom Layer
Cement (OPC) of grade 53 conforming to IS: 10262- Sample Ceme Fine Quar Dolomi
2009 was used for the studies. Locally available fine nt aggregate ry te
aggregate with a maximum size of aggregate of Dust Powder
20mm was used. The size of the semi grit is less than
9.5mm were used. Quarry dust particles having size Bottom 50 Kg 50 Kg 175 150Kg
less than 4.75mm was used. Dolomite powder is one Layer Kg
mineral with specific gravity of 2.84 to 2.86 were
used. The coconut fibers of 6 mm length and
diameter of 0.01 mm which was produced from Ratio 1 1 3.5 3
Lofgren are used in the present study.

III. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY

Paver block concrete contains cement, fine
aggregate, and quarry dust in the bottom layer of
paver block and in the top layer of paver block only a
mixture of cement, semi grit, dolomite powder and
pigment is used. In the top layer 20 mm coconut fiber
is to be added to the concrete in proportions of 0.1%,
Figure 1: Coconut Fiber 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% by weight of the
concrete. At the time of casting water added only for
2.2PHYSICAL TESTS ON MATERIALS: the wet purpose of the mix. After about 24 h the
2.2.1Tests on cement: specimens were placed at safe place and water curing
Fineness of the cement = 92% was continued till the respective specimens were
Specific gravity of cement sample = 3.05 tested after 7 and 28 days for compressive strength,
Standard consistency of cement = 27% flexural strength and water absorption tests.
Initial setting time of the cement sample = 45 min
Final setting time of the cement sample = 4 hrs 42 3.1 Test Specimen and testing procedures
min For compressive strength test, water absorption
and flexural strength test paver block of dimensions
2.2.2 Tests on aggregates: 200x100x80 mm were casted. The moulds were
Specific gravity of aggregate = 2.59 prepared with 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%
Water absorption of aggregate = 0.097% coconut fiber. The samples were cured in water at 7
Average crushing value of aggregate sample = and 28 days. For determining the compressive
23.78% strength samples were tested in compressive testing
Fineness Modulus = 293/100 = 2.93 machine and flexural strength test was conducted
using universal testing machine. The compressive,
2.2.3 Test on semi grit: flexural and water absorption tests are conducted as
Fineness Modulus = 314.8/100 = 3.148 per IS: 15658:2006. In each category three cubes
were tested and their average value is reported.
2.2.4 Test on quarry dust:
Fineness Modulus = 426.6/100 = 4.266

2.3 Mix proportion:

All the mixes prepared are corresponds to M-20
grade. For the design of mix IS: 10262-2009 & IS:
15658:2006 recommendations are adopted.

Mix Design Proportion for Top Layer

Sample Cement Pigment Semi Grit
Top Layer 50Kg 4Kg 100 Kg
Ratio 1 0.08 2
Fig . No.1. Compressive strength test

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ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 8( Version 6), August 2014, pp.34-38

4
3.16 3.19 3.22 3.28 3.33 3.35

% Water Absortion
2.71 2.77 2.8 2.84 2.87 2.89
3

0
s 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Types of paver block

7 days 28 days
Fig .No.2. Flexural strength test

IV. EXPERIMENTAL RESULT

Fig .No.4. Water absorption at 7 & 28 days for
4.1 Compressive strength
The compressive strength values of the standard Paver blocks without and with fibers
concrete paver block & paver block with coconut
From fig.4 it is observed that the fiber content is
fibers in top 20mm layer thickness were presented in
increased from 0.1% to 0.5% water absorption is
figure.3.
increasing. Compared to the standard paver block
there is a increment of 6.64% and 6.01% at the age
40 35.78 34.89 34.72
33.5 33.91 34.3 of 7 and 28 days respectively. But according to IS
Compression Strength N/mm2

15658:2006 the water absorption for concrete paver

30 25.1 25.15 26 27.25 27 26.25
block is 7%.
20
4.3 Flexural strength
10 The flexural strength values of the standard
concrete paver block & paver block with coconut
0 fibers in top 20mm layer thickness were presented in
s 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 figure.5.

Types of paver block

4
3.54 3.6
3.433.31
3.313.22 3.39
7 days 28 days 3.5 3.14 3.22
Flexural Strength N/mm2

2.98 3.02 3.1

3

Fig .No.3. Compressive strength at 7 & 28 days 2.5

for Paver blocks without and with fibers 2
1.5
From fig.3. it is observed that the compressive
strength of concrete paver block is increasing with 1
the increase in fiber content compared to standard 0.5
concrete paver block at 7 and 28 [Link] is observed
0
that at 0.3% of fiber maximum strength was attained
and later with increase in fiber content strengths are s 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
falling down. The increment in the compressive Types of paver block
strength at 0.3% fiber content is 8.57% and 6.81% at
the age of 7 and 28 days respectively.
7 days 28 days

4.2 Water absorption

The water absorption values of the concrete
Fig .No.5. Flexural strength at 7 & 28 days for
paver blocks at the age of 7 and 28 days are
Paver blocks without and with fibers
determined and the results were presented in figure.4.
From fig.5 it is observed that the flexural
strength of concrete paver block is increasing with
the increase in fiber content compared to standard

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ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 8( Version 6), August 2014, pp.34-38

concrete paver block at 7 and 28 [Link] is observed

that increasing fiber concent increases strength of
4.5
paver blocks. The increment in the flexural strength 3.89

Flexural Strength N/mm2

4 3.67 3.63
at 0.5% fiber content is 13.76% and 14.65% at the 3.29 3.43 3.56
3.5 3.14 3.15 3.22
2.98
age of 7 and 28 days respectively. 3
2.5
4.4 Compressive strength 2
The compressive strength values of standard 1.5
concrete paver block and paver block on changing 1
the top layer thickness with fibers are as shown in 0.5
figure.6. 0
S CF (10 CF (20 CF (30 CF (40
40 33.5 34.82 35.78 36.02 37.56 mm) mm) mm) mm)
26.95 27.25 27.85 28.02
30 25.1
Compression strength

20 Types of paver block

10
n/mm2

0 7 days 28 days
S CF CF CF CF
(10 (20 (30 (40
mm) mm) mm) mm) Fig .No.7. Flexural strength of paver block at
0.3% fiber by changing top layer thickness
Types of paver block
From fig.7 it is observed that as the toplayer
7 days 28 days thickness is increasing the flexural strength of
concrete paver block is significantly improving. The
increment in the flexural strength by changing top
Fig .No.6. Compressive strength of paver block at layer 40mm is 21.81% and 23.89% compared to
0.3% fiber by changing top layer thickness standard concrete paver block at the age of 7 and 28
days respectively.
From fig.6 it is observed that the compressive
strength of concrete paver block with 0.3% coconut
V. COST COMPRASION
fibers is increasing by increasing the thickness of the
5.1 ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY
top layer. The increment in the compressive strength
Table 5.1 : Cost of Materials
by changing top layer 40mm is 11.63% and 12.11%
compared to standard concrete paver block at the age Sl. No Materials Rate (Kg/Rs)
of 7 and 28 days respectively. 1 Cement 5.80
2 Semi Grit 0.60
4.5 Flexural strength 3 Dolomite Powder 1.40
The flexural strength values of standard concrete 4 Fine Aggregate 0.80
paver block and paver block on changing the top 5 Quarry Dust 0.40
layer thickness with fibers are as shown in figure.7. 6 Coconut Fiber 30

Table 5.2 : Cost of Each Paver Block with and

without Fiber
Sl. No Types of Cost of Each
Paver Blocks Paver Block
(RS)
1 S 7.77
2 CF (0.1 %) 7.82
3 CF (0.2 %) 7.88
4 CF (0.3 %) 7.93
5 CF (0.4 %) 7.99
6 CF (0.5 %) 8.04

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Table 5.3: Cost of Each Paver Block by Changing and the effect of corroded fibres on the
Top Layer Thickness with Polyester Fiber: strength of mortar." Cement and Concrete
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2 CF (20 mm) 7.93
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[5]. Baruah, P., and Talukdar, S. A comparative
study of compressive, flexural, tensile and
VI. CONCLUSION shear strength ofconcrete with fibres of
From this study the following conclusion can be different origins. Indian Concrete Journal,
drawn: 81, 7:17-24.(2007).
1. Compressive Strength enhancement ranges from [6]. Ali, M., Chouw, N., Liu, A., and Sou, H.
1.22% to 6.81% when % of fiber increases from “Effect of fibre content on dynamic
0.1% to 0.3% when compared to the concrete properties of coir fibre reinforced concrete
paver block at 28 days. beams”. Proceedings of NZSEE Conference,
2. As the fiber content is increased from 0.1% to 1- 8.(2010).
0.5% there is an increase in the water absorption [7]. Sivaraja, M. K, VelmaniN and Sudhakaran
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paver block at 28 days. concrete composites using mechanical
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strength is from 2.55% to 14.65% when % of Of Polypropylene Fiber In Interlocking
fibers varied from 0.1% to 0.5% respectively. Paver Block To Improve Compressive
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to 40mm the compressive strength increases Structural, Environmental and Infrastructure
gradually from 3.94% to 12.11% when compared Engineering Research and Development
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