Effect of Jointing Sand Sizes and Width on Horizontal Displacement of Concrete Block Pavement

Abstract

This research studies the performance of Concrete Block Pavement (CBP) through the load distribution between the blocks and the jointing sand. Presence of jointing sand in joint provides frictional resistance to prevent the blocks from displaced or moved when the load is applied. Three different sizes of jointing sand (less than 2 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm) with three different jointing widths (2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm) were used. Laboratory tests were conducted using horizontal load test to compare and investigate the effect by using different jointing sand sizes with different joint widths on the performance of concrete block pavement. It was found that the wider joint width requires coarse jointing sand for good performance of concrete block pavement. Results show that at 2 mm jointing width, it is more appropriate to use jointing sand with a size less than 2 mm and at a 6 mm jointing width it is better to use jointing sand with a size less than 7 mm. It seems to give better results in resisting the horizontal load that been applied before the blocks starts to displace and the pavement failed.