| Blockpaving is as
old as civilization. Segmental stone paving, thousands
of years old, may be seen around the Mediterranean at
the present time. Right up to the end of the 19th century,
permanent paving was generally surfaced with stone or
hardwood blocks.
Modern techniques for precision production of concrete
paving stones were first developed in western Europe
during the 1950s. Combining the unique centuries- proven
benefits of stone paving with the quality and economy
of modem technology sparked a major revival of block
paving, which has now spread throughout the world.
There are a wide range of applications including malls,
public forecourts. motorway on/off ramps, suburban streets,
driveways, footpaths, residential patios, carparking
areas, airports and container parks.
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Advantages of Concrete Block Paving
Two major advantages of concrete block paving are aesthetic
appeal and high strength. Interlocking paving has human scale,
texture, pattern, and a sense of direction. It is often used
for these reasons alone. Its high quality concrete riding
surface also offers superior durability, skid resistance,
abrasion and scuffing residence.
Since a concrete block paving surface is composed of many
small segments separated by fine joints. It combines the virtues
of a hard concrete surface with a degree of flexibility. Therefore,
cracking of blocks is fairly rare and does not usually affect
structural capacity.
Any damage that does occur is localized and readily repaired,
if required for aesthetic purposes. On the other hand, compared
with asphalt or chip seal surfacings, concrete pavers are
very hard and are highly resistant to damage by heavy concentrated
loads, (For example, those caused by Cargo container corner
castings, trailer support legs etc). These properties are
appropriate to the most severe service conditions such as
those found in freight depots, container parks, logging yards
etc.
Interlocking paving blocks can be lifted and relaid. Carefully
relaying can be made without visible discontinuities, colour
changes, textural or level differences to indicate where the
work has been done. Relaying also does not reduce the structural
value of the pavement. Little material cost is involved if
interlocking paving is opened to permit repair to underground
services, or when surface deformations are corrected by lifting
or re-leveling of the sub-base, or if the pavement is removed
to a new location. Therefore concrete blockpaving is ideal
for temporary paving layout. On sites where future traffic
loads or ground stability are uncertain, interlocking paving
maybe installed with confidence, because subsequent surface
deformations may be restored with virtually full utilization
of the original paving stones.
Interlocking paving does not require expensive construction
plant, and with good supervision, unskilled labour may be
used. It can be laid in small or large areas at any time and
if necessary stopped at any stage, it can also be used immediately
after laying. These features are of great convenience to the
home do-it yourselfer. They are also valuable in an industrial
situation, because the pavement construction can be easily
phased in with other on-site operations.
Order
TM27 Design of interlocking concrete
block paving for Heavy Industrial Traffic
Download
IB07 Interlocking concrete paver
and cobblestone paving.
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