Comparison Between Cement Concrete Road and Concrete Paver Block

Abstract

The use of proper pavement types has a great effect on expedience, sustainability, and economy?of land transportations facilities. The study is aimed at comparing CC-Roads (Cement Concrete Roads) and CPB-Roads (Concrete Paver Block Roads) with respect to construction practices, constituent materials,?structural performance, cost consideration, maintenance aspects, environmental issues and aesthetic appearance. Due to higher compressive strength and other properties, cement concrete roads in areas?with heavy traffic loads, it is used, however, they also have longer construction period and initial cost. In contrast, roads constructed with concrete paver blocks made up of interlocking pre-cast units could be installed fast, is easier to maintain and it is more flexible to design and are more appropriate for use in urban or semi-urban areas with low to?medium traffic. Furthermore, the?drainage potential, recyclability and carbon footprint are taken into account providing a comprehensive comparison of both technologies. The results presented resulting useful for urban planners, civil engineers and decision -- makers to make informed choices in?road construction projects, based on certain site conditions and performance parameters. In general, the cement concrete road?is built beyond or within the village limit. But inside the village portion are the concrete?paver blocks. It?is observed that the cost of cement concrete road is very high compared to concrete paver. In the present study we are compared?between cement concrete road and concrete paver blocks

Introduction

The choice of alternative pavement materials significantly impacts road durability, cost, and maintenance. Cement concrete (CC) roads and concrete paver blocks (CPB) are popular in urban and semi-urban areas due to their strength and performance.

Cement Concrete Roads are rigid pavements made by pouring concrete onsite, known for high compressive strength, durability, and ability to handle heavy traffic. They are ideal for highways, urban roads, and industrial areas but have higher initial costs.

Concrete Paver Blocks are prefabricated units laid on compacted bases, offering easier maintenance, good drainage, and aesthetic flexibility. They suit low-traffic areas like residential streets and parking lots, can be repaired or relaid easily, and have lower installation costs.

Literature suggests CC roads are cost-effective long-term due to durability and lower maintenance despite high initial costs, while CPBs offer benefits in quick installation, lower carbon footprint, and flexibility, especially where frequent underground access is needed.

The manufacturing processes differ: CC roads require extensive site preparation and onsite mixing, whereas CPBs are produced in molds and cured before installation.

Test results show CC roads have slightly higher compressive strength (36.7 N/mm² vs. 29 N/mm²), but CPBs have lower water absorption (3.6% vs. 5.05%) and better aggregate impact resistance. CPBs are also more economical (?950/sq.m) compared to CC roads (?1550/sq.m).

Conclusion

Both concrete paver blocks and cement concrete roads come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks, and the decision between the two relies on the specific needs of a project. Concrete paver blocks are well-suited for locations that require easier upkeep, enhanced appearance, and faster installation,suchaswalkways,parkingareas,andzoneswithlowtraffic.Conversely,cement concreteroadsprovideexceptionalstrength,longevity,andload-bearingcapabilities,makingthem more appropriate for highways, main thoroughfares, and areas with heavy traffic. While paver blocks offer greater flexibility and easier repair options, cement concrete roads deliver a long- lasting, stable solution with less frequent maintenance needed. Thus, the choice should consider factors such as traffic intensity, budget constraints, maintenance abilities, and intended use.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Sachin Ranjan Kushwaha, Vishal Gautam, Aadi Shakti Singh, Visheswar Kumar Mishra, Adarsh Singh, Vimal Kumar, Vishal Kumar, Shashank Srivastav. 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.