## 1 Introduction  
The interlocking concrete block pavement (ICBP) consists of concrete paving blocks (CPBs) available in many shapes and combinations [1, 2]. Figure 1a,b shows ICBP and conventional asphalt pavement (AP) layers: sub-base, base, and surface layer (asphalt concrete for AP or paving blocks + joint materials for ICBP). In addition, the AP surface layer consists of relatively homogenous mixes with high stiffness (Figure 1c) [3]. However, ICBP consists of CPBs with increased stiffness and joint materials with low stiffness (Figure 1d) [4]. ICBP and AP under assessment are mainly applied to light-traffic urban roads. Then, it is essential to compare their skills because CPBs can be more attractive as a repairable system than asphalt concrete (AC) for heavy-loaded vehicles (even if in small numbers) at low speeds over the pavement [5]. Worldwide, a revolution in paving blocks took place in the Netherlands, with the production of CPBs in the 1950s [6]. Over the years, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, urbanization programs, such as \"Rio Cidade\" and \"Favela Bairro\", provided 1,000,000 m\({}^{2}\) of CPBs [7]. In Fortaleza, Brazil, the requalification of the \"Beira Mar\" and \"Desembagador Moreira\" avenues was done using CPBs, where approximately 66,705 m\({}^{2}\) and 6500 m\({}^{2}\) of CPBs were used, respectively [8]. In the USA, this technology application grows by about 100% every five years, and similar growth rates have been recorded in Belgium, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa [9]. On the mechanical behavior of ICBP, the joint material \"networks\" decrease the surface layer's total stiffness and provide horizontal distribution and vertical load transmission through shear stresses. In addition, the bedding layer is compacted by the traffic load during post-construction, which results in some surface deformation [4]. Furthermore, the CPBs need to have certain mechanical and physical properties, such as compressive strength (fc) and water absorption (wa), according to various standards: Brazilian ABNT NBR 9781 [10], American ASTM C936 [11], European CEN 1338 [12], Australian AS/NZS 4456.4 [13], and Chinese CNSA GB 28635 [14]. Concerning alternative materials, in general, the by-products of some industries can be used to manufacture CPBs. Examples are recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs)--both classified as construction and demolition waste (CDW), and coconut fibers [15; 16; 17]. In Fortaleza, Brazil, the amount of CDW discharged in the 61 eco-points in the city is 276,000 tonnes per year [18]. In the EU, CDW activities generated over 850 million  
Figure 1: Interlocking Concrete Block Pavement (ICBP) and Asphalt Pavement (AP) in terms of layers and contact with the traffic load (adapted from [3]). 1 Asphalt concrete (AC); 2 Continuously graded aggregates; 3 Surface layer; 3 Concrete paving blocks (CPBs); 30 joints’ material; 4 Lateral confinement at the edge of the shoulder or at the sidewalk; 5 Controlled sand material. (**a**) AP layers, (**b**) ICBP layers, (**c**) AP surface layer, (**d**) ICBP surface layer. tonnes of by-products [19]. Furthermore, [PERSON] et al. [20] provided the amount of CDW generated per capita in six regions of Portugal. Results showed that the amount of CDW ranged from 206 kg/hab/year in Lisbon to 711 kg/hab/year in the Algarve. Another by-product is coconut fiber, produced from the coir's waste and potentially used to reinforce bounded materials [21]. More than 405 million coconuts were produced in Ceara, Brazil, in 2020 [22]. During their decomposition, which can take more than eight years, as 80% to 85% of the coconut weight becomes waste, their disposal causes a decrease in the lifetime use of landfills [23,24]. Evaluating ways of reusing these by-products by public or private companies is essential. Then, research that evaluated the application of CDW recycled aggregates [25,26] and fibers [27,28] in concrete can be cited in Brazil and Portugal.