New and Sustainable Coal Char-Based Paving Blocks for Roadway Applications

Paving blocks are widely used in engineering construction for durable pavement surfaces characterized by their interlocking capability to enhance structural integrity. This study explores the potential use of char as a byproduct from coal pyrolysis and an alternative raw material to natural aggregates in developing paving blocks, aiming to reduce the associated environmental issues associated with the uncontrolled and excessive mining of natural resources. This study finds the paving blocks made from char to have the required engineering properties as mentioned by ASTM standard C936. Trass and trass-lime are added as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to enhance the performance of char-based paving blocks. The incorporation of SCMs as a cement replacement also aims to reduce the carbon footprint arising from increased cement use. The compressive strength increased from 55.7 MPa to 65.71 MPa at 12.5% cement replacement with trass-lime. The water absorption is reduced to 4.63% from 4.95%. Beneficial effects towards freeze–thaw durability and abrasion resistance are also observed on trass-lime-incorporated paving blocks. This study signifies the remarkable potential use of coal-derived char and SCMs in developing light, high-strength, and durable paving blocks, showcasing their competitive engineering performance. These new char-based paving blocks will contribute towards a more sustainable construction environment and advance the current construction and engineering practices.

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