Published Paper Details:

In present construction scenario, concrete blocks are well accepted units to build foundations, walls, arches and corbels. Concrete blocks have various types like solid, hollow, pavers, tree-guard blocks and they have wide range of applications like in load bearing structures, in framed structures, as ground laying units, etc. The present study focuses on another concept of interlocking blocks which is known as Dovetail joinery technique. This is the mechanism of interlocking blocks of two pieces of jigsaw puzzle. Each block of interlocking mechanism features a projection at one end and a depression at the opposite. It has its resistance to being pulled apart i.e. tensile strength high. This emphasizes to use this joint where the members are in tension like retaining walls where the use of precast concrete blocks can be advantageous. Ansys software is used for the optimization of geometry of moulds of the block and to find the failure planes. In this work, concrete grade M- 30 is selected and I.S. 10262-2009 has been used for concrete mix design. Blocks of different mix have been casted and tested for various strengths like Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength and Tensile Strength. The experimental study concludes that the reinforced block has more load carrying capacity as compared to plain cement concrete block. In case of plain cement concrete in the flexural test, sudden failure of block was observed, whereas in case of reinforced block only crack propagated and the block did not fail suddenly. Dovetail joint can be effectively used in interlocking concrete blocks. It provides strong interlocking both in vertical as well as in horizontal directions.