Cost effectiveness of interlocking concrete block pavements for low volume traffic roads

Abstract

Decision on choice of pavement type for roads is based on its service requirement, construction and maintenance costs and availability of the desired construction materials. In developing countries like India, the fund available for construction and maintenance is always limited and thus has a huge influence on such infrastructure projects. Traditionally, asphalt and concrete pavements are used in road construction. Interlocking concrete block pavement (ICBP) has been in use for some time now as an alternative pavement type. One of the advantages of such pavement in comparison to asphalt and concrete pavements is its easy availability, sophisticated design and construction methods. Past studies have shown that the interlocking pavements are economical. But it may not be every time. In this context, the present study has been undertaken to investigate the same. As a case study, the Ram Krishna Mission (RKM) road of Guwahati, a semi urban city of North East India is considered. To estimate the total life cycle cost, a basic mathematical equation has been formulated in the present work. The advantage of the mathematical formulation is that it can incorporate multiple cycles of pavement construction and maintenance costs. Also, one more advantage of the present equation is that it can consider analysis period any size. The present study uses an analysis period of 30 years. To incorporate the change of price value and inflation, a discount rate and inflation rate has been introduced in the formulation. The results of the current analysis show that interlocking pavements are costlier than asphalt pavements contrary to the findings of the past researchers. A sensitivity analysis is done to find whether the conclusion might vary with different discount rates. However, it was found that ICBP is not economical.