Evaluation over time of the mechanical properties of soilcement blocks used in semi-permeable pavements

Abstract

A semi-permeable pavement was built with a coating layer of soil-cement blocks made of construction debris (stabilized with 30% sand) and cement (20% of the mix), and manufactured with a press. This type of block does not rely on additional studies dealing with changes in the mechanical properties over time; so, for this study, a certain number of blocks were selected (7, 14, 28, 130 and 1650 molding days) to measure the mechanical properties (durability, water absorption and simple compressive strength). The results showed no changes in the blocks’ absorption and durability properties after 1650 days. The compressive strength had a slight increase of 9MPa (28 molding days) for 12MPa (1650 molding days, blocks of the pavement in use), which can be attributed to reactions still occurring between cement, soil and water or to the variability of raw materials and the equipment used. It can be concluded that the environmental conditions and light pedestrian traffic did not affect the blocks’ mechanical properties; therefore, they can be used in semi-permeable pavement.