Experimental Investigation on Paver Blocks Using Waste Materials

Concrete paver blocks are widely used for parking areas, footpaths and walkways, but their production consumes large quantities of cement and natural aggregate. This paper investigates paver blocks in which part of the fine aggregate is replaced by vulcanized crumb rubber obtained from waste tyres, with styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex added as a polymer modifier to improve matrix bonding. Blocks were batched, mixed, moulded, water-cured, and tested for compressive strength at 7 and 14 days and for water absorption. The average compressive strength was 11.56 N/mm² at 7 days and 12.84 N/mm² at 14 days, an increase of about 11%. The 28-day strength, projected from the 7- and 14-day trend, is about 14.12 N/mm²; this is an estimate and not a measured value. Water absorption was 0.19%. The strength is well below the 30 N/mm² minimum grade of IS 15658, so the present mix is suited only to non-load-bearing uses unless further optimized. The material cost of the batch was about Rs. 727. The work supports SDG 9, 11, 12 and 13 by turning waste tyres into a construction product.