PSI - Issue 70

Hariharan kannan et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 70 (2025) 658–665

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consistently showed a weight loss of 23.06% for all mixes (GPP_15 to GPP_100). For GPP blocks with WFS, the weight loss percentages were: 22.9% (GPP_15), 20.15% (GPP_30), 18.06% (GPP_45), 18.58% (GPP_60), 19% (GPP_75), and 20.6% (GPP_100) shown in Fig. 7. 5.1.4 Water absorption This durability test was done after 28 days of curing, and Fig. 8. illustrates how WFS affected the GPP blocks' ability to absorb water. The results demonstrate that all GPP mixes with WFS meet the necessities of codal provision, and water absorption is restricted to an average of 6% by mass in accordance with IS 15658-2021 (14). Water absorption percentages for the Control Mix and Foundry Sand Replaced Blocks were observed across different MIX IDs. The Control Mix consistently exhibited a water absorption of 1.8% across all mixes (GPP_15 to GPP_100). In contrast, the Foundry Sand Replaced Blocks showed varying absorption rates: 1.53% (GPP_15), 1.59% (GPP_30), 1.62% (GPP_45), 1.68% (GPP_60), 1.72% (GPP_75), and 1.78% (GPP_100).

Fig. 7. Outcome of WFS on abrasion resistance of GPP blocks

Fig. 8. Outcomes of WFS on water absorption of GPP blocks

6. Conclusions Although the study qualitatively discusses carbon footprint reduction and waste valorization, it does not include a quantitative life cycle assessment (LCA) or cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the full environmental and economic impact. 1. The results confirm that adding WFS increases the compressive strength of GPP blocks, with 45% exhibiting a 4.37% improvement over control mis after 28 days. All mixtures up to 45% met the 40 MPa criteria for medium traffic applications under Indian norms. However, beyond this replacement level, strength began to wane. This suggests that WFS can considerably increase the performance of GPP blocks however, ideal replacement levels must be maintained for best outcomes. 2. Adding WFS considerably increased the flexural strength of GPP blocks, with 45% WFS replaced paver blocks showing a 10% improvement over control mix. This is owing to the greater SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio, which improves microstructure and bonding. All mixes, with the exception of 75% and 100% WFS replaced pavers, met the requisite 5.5 MPa flexural strength under IS 15658-2021. 45% WFS replaced pavers stands out as the optimum combination of strength and durability for paver block applications. 3. When compared to paver blocks without WFS, GPP blocks with WFS demonstrated better resistance to abrasion. This was further improved by adding 45% WFS, after which the weight loss percentage increased significantly as the percentage of WFS increased. 4. The water absorption test results show that WFS improves the performance of GPP blocks. All mixtures met the IS 15658-2021 criteria of a maximum 6% water absorption by mass, making them suitable for practical applications. Notably, GPP_P45 had a 10% lower water absorption at 28 days compared to the GPP_P0 mix, showing a considerable increase in durability. Similarly, other mixtures exhibited decreases of 15%, 11.6%, 6.6%, 4.4%, and 1.1% in GPP_P15, GPP_P30, GPP_P60, GPP_P75, and GPP_P100. The findings indicate that