Impulse- Response Endorsement of Strength Sustainability in Paver Blocks Infused With Biosorpted Textile Effluents

Abstract

Paver blocks, being the ideal utility blocks, are extensively in vogue for any pavement coverage due to the relatively easier and quick manufacturing process, mass production compatibility and lower unit cost. However the production involves huge usage of potable water that may inflict the availability of the same for building construction. A viable alternative without detrimental to the strength and the other related features of paver blocks would be exploring the usage of treated textile/dyeing industrial waste waters replacing potable water. A biosorption process aided by the coagulation-sedimentation method, using dry powdered water hyacinth leaves and petioles as coagulants is employed. This has the added advantage of harboring the fine bio sediments within the pores of the paver blocks resulting in lower porosities. Subjecting the biosorpted paver blocks to the standard quality tests as per IS coding (15658), empirical regression analyses on Compression strength and Flexural strength to withstand stationary and moving loads were applied. With reference to the curing spells of 3 days, 7 days and 28 days the improvised paver blocks had shown a relative increase attainable in the compressive strength as 4%, 3.6% and 2.4% respectively. The respective attainable increases in the flexural strengths were observed as 7.9%, 8% and 4.9% for the same curing spells. The results of this study exemplify the twin prospects viz., minimization of potable water requirement replaced by treated wastewaters and environmental protection by way of hiding the treated wastewater used for the mix within the paver blocks.