Eco-friendly paver blocks with geotextiles for pedestrian footpaths and smart materials for bus station infrastructure

• Published in: Matéria Vol. 30
• Main Authors: Selvaraj, Logeswaran, Gururajan, Anusha, Velusamy, Sampathkumar, Subbaiyan, Anandakumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Laboratório de Hidrogênio, Coppe - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; em cooperação com a Associação Brasileira do Hidrogênio, ABH2 2025
• Subjects: CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY; MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; METALLURGY & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING; Paver block; Bus station; Pedestrian footpath; Geo-textiles; Smart materials
• ISSN: 1517-7076; 1517-7076
• DOI: 10.1590/1517-7076-rmat-2025-0093

Abstract The study examined bus stations in India to identify the potential causes of pedestrian footpath failures and defects in station building components. The factors such as increased pedestrian load, block settlement and environmental degradation significantly impact the long-term durability and performance of paver blocks. This research explores the use of geotextiles to enhance paver block strength and durability, allowing them to withstand heavy traffic while promoting environmental sustainability. Geotextiles, made of high-strength synthetic polymers, offer a sustainable alternative to cement, providing improved durability and eco-friendly benefits. A total of twelve samples with geo-textile ratios ranging from 20% to 60% were tested, yielding impressive mechanical properties including a compressive strength of 36 N/mm² and a flexural strength of 7.1 N/mm². The water absorption and fire resistance capacities exceeded those of conventional paver blocks. The integration of geotextiles also reduces manufacturing costs, construction expenses, environmental impact and resource consumption, offering a sustainable solution for footpath design. Additionally, the study recommends smart materials with applications for station components to enhance the sustainability of station infrastructure. These recommendations address the key issues in bus stations, improving the overall appearance, functionality and service efficiency of the infrastructure, tailored to the Indian context.