Towards stronger paving blocks: The combined effects of cement–sand mix proportion and geometry on compressive strength
Keywords:
Paving block, Compressive strength, Geometry, Mix proportion, Local materialsAbstract
The compressive strength of paving blocks is influenced not only by mix proportion but also by geometric configuration, yet comparative studies addressing both factors using local materials remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the effects of cement–sand mix proportion and paving block geometry on compressive strength. A quantitative experimental approach was employed through laboratory testing of two paving block types (Paving Stone and Eskoosix) using four cement–sand mix proportions (1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5) following SNI 03-1745-2000. The results showed that the 1:2 mix proportion produced the highest compressive strength, reaching 403.13 kg/cm² for Paving Stone and 401.84 kg/cm² for Eskoosix, whereas the 1:5 mix proportion yielded the lowest values. In addition, Paving Stone consistently exhibited higher compressive strength than Eskoosix. The findings demonstrate that mix proportion is the primary factor governing compressive strength, while paving block geometry contributes to optimizing stress distribution, providing a practical reference for developing local-material-based paving blocks.
Abstrak
Perbedaan kuat tekan paving block tidak hanya dipengaruhi oleh komposisi campuran, tetapi juga oleh bentuk geometrinya, sementara kajian yang membandingkan kedua faktor tersebut pada paving block berbasis material lokal masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh variasi komposisi semen-pasir dan bentuk paving block terhadap kuat tekan. Penelitian menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan pendekatan eksperimental melalui pengujian laboratorium terhadap dua tipe paving block (Paving Stone dan Eskoosix) dengan empat variasi campuran semen-pasir (1:2, 1:3, 1:4, dan 1:5) sesuai SNI 03-1745-2000. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa campuran 1:2 menghasilkan kuat tekan tertinggi, yaitu 403,13 kg/cm² pada tipe Paving Stone dan 401,84 kg/cm² pada tipe Eskoosix, sedangkan campuran 1:5 menghasilkan nilai terendah. Selain itu, tipe Paving Stone secara konsisten menunjukkan kuat tekan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan tipe Eskoosix. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa komposisi campuran merupakan faktor dominan, sedangkan geometri paving block berperan dalam mengoptimalkan distribusi tegangan sehingga dapat menjadi acuan pengembangan paving block berbasis material lokal.
Downloads
References
Bilir, T., Aygun, B. F., Shi, J., Gencel, O., & Ozbakkaloglu, T. (2022). Influence of different types of wastes on mechanical and durability properties of interlocking concrete block paving (ICBP): A review. Sustainability, 14(7), 3733. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073733
Drissi, S., Mo, K. H., Falchetto, A. C., & Ling, T.-C. (2021). Understanding the compressive strength degradation mechanism of cement-paste incorporating phase change material. Cement and Concrete Composites, 124, 104249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104249
Farooq, M. U., Hameed, R., Tahir, M., Sohail, M. G., & Shahzad, S. (2023). Mechanical and durability performance of 100% recycled aggregate concrete pavers made by compression casting. Journal of Building Engineering, 73, 106729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106729
Hettiarachchi, H. A. C. K., & Mampearachchi, W. K. (2019). Validity of aggregate packing models in mixture design of interlocking concrete block pavers (ICBP). Road Materials and Pavement Design, 20(2), 462–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2017.1393001
Kim, I., Chung, C.-K., & Ryu, J.-H. (2025). Evaluation of interlocking block pavement performance under varying construction conditions by model chamber tests. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, e04067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e04067
Kubba, Z., Fahim Huseien, G., Sam, A. R. M., Shah, K. W., Asaad, M. A., Ismail, M., Tahir, M. M., & Mirza, J. (2018). Impact of curing temperatures and alkaline activators on compressive strength and porosity of ternary blended geopolymer mortars. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 9, e00205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2018.e00205
Lin, W., Kim, D., Ryu, S., Hao, H., Ge, Y.-E., & Cho, Y.-H. (2018). Evaluation of the load dissipation behavior of concrete block pavements with various block shapes and construction patterns. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002113
Manandhar, R., Kim, J.-H., & Kim, J.-T. (2019). Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 18(2), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595629
Mashudi, I., Suardana, N. P. G., Arya Thanaya, I. N., Bandem Adnyana, I. W., & Kencanawati, C. I. P. K. (2020). Compressive strength and truck run over ability of plastic/sand paving block composites. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 839(1), 012011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/839/1/012011
Meesaraganda, L. V. P., & Kakumani, V. S. P. (2021). Effect of various combinations of aperture diameter and pattern on concrete paver block. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45, 5494–5499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.201
Nasution, Y., Amnah, R., Friska, M., Amanda, R., Alawiyah, E., & Hardana, A. (2026). Integrated polyacrylamide and compost from salak fronds application for erosion control and soil quality improvement in Sidimpuan salak plantations on sloping land. Journal of Water and Land Development, 255–264. https://doi.org/10.24425/jwld.2026.157841
Othman, R., Jaya, R. P., Muthusamy, K., Sulaiman, M., Duraisamy, Y., Abdullah, M. M. A. B., Przybył, A., Sochacki, W., Skrzypczak, T., Vizureanu, P., & Sandu, A. V. (2021). Relation between density and compressive strength of foamed concrete. Materials, 14(11), 2967. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112967
Patience, G. S. (2017). Experimental methods and instrumentation for chemical engineers. Elsevier.
Rachmat, M., & Salsabilla, T. N. (2019). Analysis of hexagonal paving block as a better paving shape. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 527(1), 012068. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/527/1/012068
Ruki, J., Hong, C. F., Yi, C. S., Shing, P. T., Julai, N. N., & Jobli, A. F. (2025). Characterization of rock aggregate properties for pavement construction in various locations in Sarawak. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(59), 31644–31660. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36219-4
Silva, R. V., de Brito, J., & Dhir, R. K. (2019). Use of recycled aggregates arising from construction and demolition waste in new construction applications. Journal of Cleaner Production, 236, 117629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117629
Subashi De Silva, G. H. M. J., & Priyamali, M. W. S. (2022). Potential use of waste rice husk ash for concrete paving blocks: Strength, durability, and run-off properties. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 23(7), 2265–2277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2020.1851029
Tian, Y., Lu, D., Ma, R., Zhang, J., Li, W., & Yan, X. (2020). Effects of cement contents on the performance of cement asphalt emulsion mixtures with rapidly developed early-age strength. Construction and Building Materials, 244, 118365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118365
Yang, J., Cheng, Z., Wang, Z., Li, S., Gao, F., & Shi, X. (2025). Dynamic mechanical behavior of ceramsite foamed concrete (CFC) with varying densities under high-velocity impact loading. Construction and Building Materials, 496, 143724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.143724
Yeo, J. S., Koting, S., Onn, C. C., & Mo, K. H. (2021). An overview on the properties of eco-friendly concrete paving blocks incorporating selected waste materials as aggregate. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(23), 29009–29036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13836-3
Zhou, B., Pei, J., Hughes, B. R., Nasir, D. S., & Zhang, J. (2020). Analysis of mechanical properties for two different structures of photovoltaic pavement unit block. Construction and Building Materials, 239, 117864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117864
Zhu, J., Ma, T., Lin, Z., & Zhu, H. (2022). Effect of aggregate structure on load-carrying capacity and deformation resistance of porous asphalt concrete based on discrete-element modelling. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 23(11), 4023–4033. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2021.1932877
Zoccali, P., Moretti, L., Di Mascio, P., Loprencipe, G., D’Andrea, A., Bonin, G., Teltayev, B., & Caro, S. (2018). Analysis of natural stone block pavements in urban shared areas. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 8, 498–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2018.04.004
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Julianto Lubis (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.