Influence of UV-modified GTR on the properties of interlocking concrete paving units

•This work highlights the impact of tire rubber on interlocking concrete paving units.•Rubberized concretes are fabricated by replacing fine aggregate with GTR up to 20%.•Compressive strength decreased by 56% by replacing 20% of the fine aggregate by GTR.•The impact resistance increased by more than 360% when replacing up to 20% of GTR.•GTR is highlighted as a promising recycled aggregate. This work studies the impact of tire rubber on interlocking concrete paving units for application in roads or storage areas by adding ground tire rubber (GTR) as a treated and recycled aggregate. The rubberized concretes are fabricated by replacing the fine aggregate with GTR in 5, 10, 15, and 20% (V/V). The compressive strength decreased by 56.03% after replacing 20% of the fine aggregate by GTR. The replacement of the GTR did not exhibit a significant change in the water absorption values that increased only 0.85% when replacing up to 20% of GTR in the concrete and the resultant impact resistance increased by more than 360% if compared to the conventional concrete. Combining the beneficial and potential environmental impact of finding new destinations of GTR with the outstanding enhancement of the impact resistance of GTR-modified concretes highlights this type of material as a promising recycled aggregate in pavement and even structural applications that require this property. [Display omitted]