Comparison Between Bitumen Road and Concrete Paver Block Road

Abstract

In this paper, the comparative study between bituminous roads (asphalt roads) and?concrete paver block roads is presented here with the material composition, durability, cost, maintenance, environment and comfort as the main considerations. Bituminous roads consist of bitumen,?sand, and aggregates. They are usually faster and less expensive to build and involve?a clean surface to walk or drive on. However, such signs have higher maintenance needs (they tend to have shorter lives, particularly in areas with heavy traffic or?extreme weather) and are usually more expensive. Interlocking concrete paver block roads have a high initial construction cost and installation time for this type of?road are greater. Another, they last longer meaning less?maintenance, they are more cost effective long term. Ecological is that, bituminous road?construction emits less carbon than cement road construction, which creates a rise in temperature on the surface of the road which is often referred to as the heat island effect for animals, humans in the urban area. In comparison, concrete paver block roads, while having a carbon footprint that is more than double that of tar in production, reflects more sunlight and are?cooler at all times. Choice between bituminous paver block road and concrete paver block road?we make taking into consideration many a specific factors like budget, climatic conditions, traffic conditions, level of flexibility desired, and lifespan of road that we want to achieve. An objective comparison of these aspects facilitates the selection of the appropriate road type for sustainable infrastructure?planning.

Introduction

The development and maintenance of road infrastructure are crucial for economic growth and connectivity. Two commonly used road construction materials are concrete paver blocks and bitumen (asphalt), each with distinct advantages depending on factors like traffic, climate, and budget.

Concrete Paver Blocks are interlocking precast units known for their high strength, durability, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal. They require less frequent maintenance and are ideal for hot or rainy climates. They also allow water infiltration, aiding groundwater recharge.

Bitumen Roads (asphalt) are flexible pavements made by binding aggregates with bitumen, a petroleum product. Bitumen roads are cost-effective, provide a smooth and quiet surface, and are widely used in temperate climates. However, they can deteriorate faster under heavy traffic or extreme weather without proper maintenance.

Literature reviews highlight various studies on improving concrete blocks by incorporating waste materials and optimizing bitumen properties with additives to enhance durability and sustainability.

Objective: The study aims to compare concrete paver block roads and bitumen roads in terms of cost, sustainability, maintenance, durability, traffic capacity, environmental impact, and suitability for different climates.

Methodology:

• Concrete blocks are produced by mixing cement, sand, aggregates, and additives, molded, cured for 14–28 days, and installed over prepared sub-bases with sand bedding and compaction.

• Bitumen roads involve heating aggregates and bitumen, mixing, laying over prepared bases, and compacting.

Testing Results:

• Concrete blocks show higher compressive strength (~29.5 N/mm²) compared to bitumen (~14 N/mm²).

• Water absorption is higher in concrete blocks (~1.9%) than bitumen (~0.15%).

• Cost per square meter is slightly higher for concrete blocks (?900–?1300) than bitumen roads (?800–?1200).

Conclusion

The paver block sector is experiencing notable expansion driven by several elements, such as increased construction activities, improved living standards, and changing consumer preferences These elements have resulted in heightened demand for paver blocks from both the residential and commercial markets. Notably, India stands out as one of the fastest-expanding economies globally, and as such, the nation is expected to make a substantial contribution to the overall growth of the paver block market. This concludes our overview of paver blocks. In response to the high demand for these products, numerous construction firms worldwide have begun to invest in machinery for making paver blocks to produce high-quality products. This investment enables them to access a broader audience and generate considerable revenue. Given the popularity and characteristics of paver blocks, those interested in manufacturing them should choose the most suitable paver block making machine.

References

[1] Atul Thakur, Dr. V.S. Batra, Dr. Hemant Sood, and Sandeep Singla (2017) conducted a study titled “Development of Paver Block By Utilizing Rice Husk Ash with a Partial Cement Replacement,” published in the International Journal of Advance Research in Science and Engineering, Vol. 6, Issue 6, Pages 211-219. [2] Kaviya (2016) examined the compressive strength of paving blocks made with stone crusher dust and fly ash in an article published in the Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 9, Issue 2, Pages 125-130. [3] Darshan Pokharkar, Sanchit Shirsath, Majidul Islam, and Yogesh Wadge (2017) wrote a review paper focused on pavement block design, which appeared in the International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Management, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Pages 178-182. [4] Anjali Yadav and Nikhil Kumar Yadav (2017) performed a study on fly ash cement concrete pavement, released in the SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Pages 1-6. [5] Fini, E. H., Hosseinnezhad, S., Oldham, D. J., Chailleux, E., and Gaudefroy, V. (2017) investigated the source dependency of the rheological and surface properties of bio-modified asphalts, published in Road Materials and Pavement Design, Vol. 18, Issue 2, Pages 408-424. [6] Kozak, M. (2011). Concrete roads and investigations of construction oc concrete roads. Electronic Journal of Construction Technologies. [7] Agar, E., Sütas, I., Oztas, G. (1996). Comparison of Asphalt Paving and Concrete Road, Turkish Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Concrete Roads Special Attachment. [8] IS 15658:2006 specifies the requirements for pre-cast concrete blocks used for paving. [9] IS 383-1970 details the specifications for coarse and fine aggregates. [10] IS 456:2000 outlines the code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete. [11] IS 383-1970 specifications for coarse and fine aggregate. [12] IS 456:2000 code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Akash Kumar, Yashwant Chauhan, Ajit Yadav, Manish Kumar Verma, Ajeet Kumar Singh, Abu Hozaifa, Satyam Singh. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.