KENYA STANDARD              DKS 2913 : 2020  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plastic Composite Paving Blocks —
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 20 20                        First Edition  2020 
 
 DKS 2913 : 2020 
 
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  ii TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
 
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
Space and Style Ltd  
Blackberry House LTD  
Consumer Information Network  
Edge& Atelier Limited  
Kangemi Jua Kali Association  
Edge& At elier Limited  
Kepsa/Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali  
Sub county Health Services, Kamukunji  
Kenya Bureau of standards - secretariat  
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 20 20 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001  of the Laws of Kenya, copyright 
subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bure au of 
Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form o r transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing 
from the Managing Director . 
 
 
 
  
  KENYA STANDARD                DKS 2913 : 2020  
© KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  iii  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plastic Composite Paving Blocks —
Specification   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254  020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region           Lake Region           Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100      P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100         P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40     Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396       Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254  041) 229448         Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
 DKS 2913 : 2020 
 
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  iv Foreword  
 
This Kenya Sta ndard was prepared by the Construction Technology  Technical Committee under the 
guidance of the Standards Projects Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya 
Bureau of Standards.  
 
Paver block paving is versatile, aesthetically attractive, functional, and cost effective a nd requires little or  
no maintenance if correctly manufactured and laid .  Most concrete b lock paving constructed in Kenya  also 
has performed satisfactorily but two main areas of  concern are occasional  failure due to excessive  surface 
wear , and variability  in the  strength of block. Natural resources are depleting worldwide at the same time the 
generated wastes from the industry and residential area are increasing substantially. The sustainable 
development for construction involves the use of Non -conventiona l and innovative materials, and recycling of 
waste materials in order to compensate the lack of natural resources and to find alternative ways conserving 
the environment.  
 
Plastic waste used in this work was brought from the surrounding areas.  Currently a bout 400 million  tonnes 
of plastic  waste dumped in globally  in a year. The dumped waste pollutes the surrounding environment.  As 
the result it affects both  human beings and animals in direct and indirect ways. Hence it necessary to  
dispose the plastic was te properly as per the regulations  provided by our government. The replacement of  
plastic waste for cement provides potential environmental as well as economic benefits  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
KENYA STANDARD                        DKS 2913 : 2020 
 
© KEBS 2020  —  All rights reserved    1   
Plastic Composite Paving Blocks —Specification   
 
1. Scope  
 
This Kenya Standard specifies requirements for plastic composite paving b locks intended for the 
construction of low speed roads,  domestic driveways and parking  and other  paved surfaces subjected to all 
categories of static and vehicular loadi ng and pedestrian traffic.  
NOTE : Paving blocks covered by this standard are designed to form a structural element for the surfacing of 
pavements, having the block to block joints filled so as to develop frictional interlock.  
2. Normative references  
 
The follow ing referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national and international 
standards can be obtained from the Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
KS 2620:2015, Structural and thermal products for building — Factory made products of expanded 
polystyrene (EPS) — Specification  
 
 
3. Terms and Definitions  
For the purpose of this document the following terms and definitions apply  
3.1.  
wearing surface(s)  
Surface(s) of a paving block designed to be laid uppermost and to be exposed to traffic use.  
 
3.2.  
plan area   
area bounded by those faces that are approximately normal to the wearing surface.  
 
3.3.  
compressive strength   
Average crushing strength of a sample of 12 paving blocks when sampled according to Clause 11 and 
tested as described in Annex B.  
 
3.4.  
nominal size  
A size of paving block, normally expresse d in terms of dimensions of length, width and thickness, 
specified for its manufacture, to which its actual size should conform within specified deviations.  
 
4. Designation, sizes and tolerances  
4.1. Designation and sizes  
Paving blocks shall have a work size thickness of not less than 50 mm (see Table 1).  
A chamfer around the wearing surface not exceeding 7 mm in width or depth shall be permitted. All 
arises shall be of uniform shape . 
5. Tolerances  
The maximum dimensional dev iations from the stated nominal sizes for paving blocks measured in 
accordance with Clause A.1 shall be as follows:  
 
Length ± 2 mm;   
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  2  
Width ± 2 mm;  
 
Thickness ± 3 mm.  
 
For paving blocks assessed in accordance with Clause A.2, each side shall be perpendicular to the wearing 
surface and the opposite face.  
 
NOTE   A side is considered to be perpendicular to the brick faces if the difference between the two readings measured as described in 
Clause A.2 does not exceed 2 mm.  
 
Where a paving block includes profiled sides, the profile shall not deviate from the manufacturer’s 
specification by more than 2 mm.  
6. Heat resistance  
The paving block should be heat resistant and meet the requirement set in table 1 after been subjected to an 
oven test  
Table 1 Oven Test Result  
Temperature (oc) Remark  
50 No Change  
100 No Change  
150 Melts  
 
7. Compressive strength and grading  
Paving blocks shall be graded into three strength categories, heavy duty (H), medium duty (M) and light duty 
(L) depending on the designated use. The respective compressive strengths for each grade (see 3.4), the 
thicknesses and the recommended areas of ap plication are specified in Table 1.  
 
Specimens for the compressive strength test are sampled in accordance with Clause 11 and tested as 
described in Annex B.  
 
Table 2  —  Grading criteria and application of paving blocks  
 
Sl No  Grade  Nominal 
thickness  
(mm)  Compressive 
strength(N/mm2) Application  
i) Light duty (L)  
50 mm  25 Domestic driveways and 
parkings, sidewalks  
 
Estate roads, domestic 
driveways and parking 
areas  
 
 
NOTE  It is advisable to apply higher strength paving blocks to areas of high abrasion activity e.g. in corners where vehicles 
are likely to skid.  
 
8. Abrasion test  
The abrasion resistance of paver blocks should be determined as  per the method given in Annex C . It may 
be specified the limits to the test results, which should be complied with by the manufacturer.  
9. Color fastness  
The block  should comply to KS ISO 105 -B03:1994  
10. Sampling  
The following sampling procedure shall be used for the compressive strength test.  
a) Before laying paving blocks, divide each designated section, comprising not more than 5 000 
blocks, in a consignment into eig ht approximately equal groups. Clearly mark all samples at the time 
of sampling in such a way that the designated section or part thereof and the consignment 
represented by the sample are clea rly defined.  Take two blocks from each group.  DKS 2913 : 2020  
 
© KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  3 b) Dispatch the sample to the test laboratory, taking precautions to avoid damage to the paving blocks 
in transit. Each sample shall be accompanied by a certificate from the person responsible for taking 
the sa mple stating that sampling was carried out in accordance with this standard.  
c) Protect the paving blocks from damage and contaminati on until they have been tested.  Carry out 
any tests as soon as possible after the sample has been taken.  
11. Marking  
The follow ing particulars relating to paving blocks made in accordance with this standard shall be indicated 
clearly on the delivery note, invoice, manufacturer’s or supplier’s certificate or brochure supplied with the 
consignment of blocks:  
 
a) the name, trade mark  or other means of identification of the manufacturer;  
 
b) the number of this standard;  
 
c) type of block;  
 
d) strength grade;  
 
e) nominal dimensions.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  4 Annex A  
(Normative)  
Measurement of dimensions, and plan area  
 
A.1 Determination of thickness, length and width  
 
A.1.1  Apparatus  
 
A.1.1.1  Steel calipers  
 
A.1.1.2  Steel rule  
 
Capable of measuring up to 300 mm to an accuracy of 0.5 mm.  
 
A.1.2  Procedure  
 
A.1.2.1  Thickness   
 
Measure the thickness of the block at four representative positions to the nearest 1 mm, using steel calipers 
(A.1.1.1).  Report the value of each measurement to the nearest 1 mm.  
 
A.1.2.2  Length and width   
 
Measure the length and width across two opposite faces of the block to the nearest 1 mm using steel 
calipe rs (A.1.1.1)  or a steel rule (A.1.1.2).  Two representative positions shall be used for length 
measurement and three positions for width measurement. Report the value of each measurement to the 
nearest 1 mm.  
 
NOTE  Care should be taken to measure each block in a sample using the same representative positions.  
 
A.2 Determination of squareness  
 
A.2.1  Apparatus  
 
A.2.1.1  Profiled template or an engineer’s square  
 
A.2.1.2  Feeler gauges  
 
A.2.2  Procedure  
 
With the stock of the square or the profiled template (A.2.1. 1) in contact with the top or bottom face of the 
block, bring the blade into contact with the side of the block. Carry out the test by measuring with the feeler 
gauges (A.2.1.2) the clearance, if any, between the square or profiled template and the side of  the brick at 
points 10 mm from each top and bottom edge.  Take measurements at six different points spaced 
approximately equally around the block.  
 
A.3 Determination of plan area  
 
A.3.1  Rectangular paving blocks  
 
Calculate the plan area by multiplying the  length by the width, or by using the method described in A.3.3.  
 
A.3.2  Shapes other than rectangles  
 
A.3.2.1  Apparatus  
 
A.3.2.1.1 Balance , capable of weighing 100 g to an accuracy of 0.01 g.  DKS 2913 : 2020  
 
© KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  5  
A.3.2.1.2  Sheets of thin cardboard, of uniform thickness.  
 
A.3.2.1.3  Sharp scissors  
 
A.3.2.1.4  Steel rule , marked in graduations of 0.5 mm.  
 
A.3.3  Measurement of plan area   
 
 Place the block, wearing surface uppermost, on the cardboard (A.3.2.1.2) and trace around its perimeter 
with a pencil. Cut out the shape acc urately and weigh it to the nearest 0.01 g, using the balance (A.3.2.1.1).  
 
Weigh a rectangle measuring 200 mm x 100 mm, cut accurately from the same cardboard, to the nearest 
0.01 g.  
 
Calculate the plan area of the paving block A, in mm2 using the equatio n: 
 
   
rs 000 20
    smm
A  
 
 where  
mr  is the mass of the 200 mm x 100 mm cardboard rectangle (in g);calculate the plan area to the 
nearest 10 mm2; 
 
 ms  is the mass of the cardboard shape matching the block (in g).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annex B  
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  6 (Normative)  
Determination of compressive strength  
 
B.1 Apparatus  
 
B.1.1  Compression testing machine  
 
B.1.2  Cypress, pine or softwood plywood packing, 4 mm thick and larger than the specimen by a margin of 
at least 5 mm at 11 points.  
 
B.2 Procedure  
 
Measu re the dimensions of each block before storing it in water and calculate the plan area, as described in 
Annex A.  Test a sample of bricks taken as described in Clause 11 after storing them for 24 ± 4 h in water 
maintained at a temperature of 20 ± 5 oC. 
 
Wipe clean the platens of the testing machine.  Remove any loose grit or other material from the contact 
faces of the block.  Place timber packing between the upper and lower faces of the block and the machine 
platens.  Use fresh packing for each block tes ted. 
 
Place the block in the machine with the wearing surface in a horizontal plane and in such a way that the axes 
of the block are aligned with those of the machine platens.  
 
Apply the load without shock and increase it continuously at a rate of 15 ± 3 N /(mm2 min) until no greater 
load can be sustained by the paving block or delamination occurs.  Record the maximum load applied to the 
brick.  
 
B.3 Calculation of compressive strength  
 
Calculate the crushing strength of each block to the nearest 0.1 N/mm2 by dividing the maximum load by the 
plan area and multiplying by the appropriate factor from Table 1.  Calculate the compressive strength, 
expressing the value to the nearest 1 N/mm2. 
 
 
Table 1 — Thickness and chamfer correction factors for compressive stren gth 
 
 
Nominal size 
thickness  Correction factors  
 
Plain block  
 Chamfered block  
mm 
 
50, 60  
 
80  
 
1.00 
 
1.12  
 
1.06 
 
1.18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annex C  
(Normative)  DKS 2913 : 2020  
 
© KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  7 METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ABRASION RESISTANCE  
 
C-1 APPARATUS  
The abrasion testing machine shall be the  same –as described (see Fig. 4).  
 
C-2 SPECIMENS  
C-2. 1 Square -shaped specimens measuring 71.0 0.5 mm shall be cut from the block specimens selected  
as per the sampling procedure in 8 and as per the number of specimens mentioned in Table 4. The contact 
face and the opposite face of the specimen shall be parallel and flat. For determining the reduction in 
thickness as described in E -4, the opposite face shall, if appropriate, be ground parallel or otherwise 
machined so as to be parallel.  
 
C-2.2 For testing d ry specimens, the specimens shall be dried to constant mass at a temperature  
of 105+ 5“C.  
 
C-2.3 For testing wet/saturated specimens; the specimens shall be immersed in water for 7 days and  
wiped with a damp artificial sponge prior to each weighing (see C -3) so that all specimens appear equally  
damp.  
 
C-3 PROCEDURE  
 
C-3.1 The density of the specimen, PR shall be determined nearest to 0.1 g. The weight of the specimen  
shall be noted to nearest 0.1 g both prior to the abrasion test and after every four cycles  (see E -4). 
 
C-3.2 In the case of two -layer specimens, the density of specimens taken separately from the wearing layer  
shall be determined.  
 
C-3.3 The grinding path of the disc of the abrasion testing machine shall be evenly strewn with 20 g of  
the standard abras ive powder as per F -3 of KS 444 .The specimen shall be fixed in the holding device such  
that the testing surface faces the grinding disc. The specimen shall be centrally loaded with 294+3 N.  
 
C-3.4 The grinding disc shall be run at a speed –of 30 rpm. The disc shall be stopped after one cycle of  
22 revoluti ons. The disc and contact face o f the specimen shall be cleaned of abrasive powder and  
debris. The specimen shall be turned 90° in the clockwise direction and 20 g of abrasive powder shall  
be evenly strewn on the testing track before starting the next cycle.  
 
C-3.5 When testing wet/saturated specimens, prior to each cycle, the track shall be wiped with a lightly  
damp artificial sponge and moistened before being strewn with the abrasive powder.  From the start of  
the test, arrangement shall be made for drip -wetting of the central portion of the track, about 30 mm from  
the specimen (opposite to the direction of motion of the disc), by supplying water drops at the rate of 180  
to200drops (13ml) per minute. During this test, it should be ensured that the abrasive powder continuously 
returns to the effective area of the track  
 
  
   © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  8  
 
 
 
C-3.6 The test cycle shall be repeated 16 times; the specimen being turned 90° in the clockwise direction  
and spreading of 20 g of abrasive powder on the testing track after each cycle.  
 
C-4 CALCULATION  
The abrasive wear of the specimen after 16 cycles of testing shall be calculated as the mean loss in 
specimen volume, V, from the equation:   
 
 
 
 
C-5 REPORT  
The abrasive wear shall be reported to the nearest whole number of 1000 mm3per 5000 mm2