The Paver System

Composition and Materials

Interlocking concrete pavers are composed of portland cement, fine and coarse aggregates. Color is often added. These materials are combined with a small amount of water to make a “zero slump” concrete. Pavers are made in factory-controlled conditions with machines that apply pressure and vibration. The result is a consistent, dense, high strength concrete that can be molded into many shapes.

Physical Characteristics

Interlocking concrete pavers made Angelus Block Co., Inc. meet the requirements in ASTM C 936, Standard Specifications for Solid Interlocking Concrete Paving Units.

Applications Standards

For pedestrian applications and residential driveways, 2 3/8 in. (60 mm) thick pavers are recommended. Pavements subject to vehicular traffic typically require pavers that are 3 1/8 in. (80 mm) thick.

Interlocking concrete pavements are typically constructed as flexible pavements on a compacted soil subgrade and compacted aggregate base. Concrete pavers are then placed on a thin layer of bedding sand (1 to 1 1/2 in. or 25 to 40 mm), compacted, with joint sand swept into the joints, and the units compacted again. When compacted, the pavers interlock, transferring vertical loads from vehicles to surrounding pavers by shear forces through the joint sand. The sand in the joints enables applied loads to be spread in a manner similar to asphalt, reducing the stresses on the base and subgrade.

Benefits

As interlocking concrete pavements receive traffic, they stiffen and increase their structural capacity over time. The structural contribution of the interlocking pavers and sand layer can exceed that of an equivalent thickness of asphalt. The interlock contributes to the structural performance of the pavement system.

Concrete pavers do not require time to cure. They arrive at the site ready to install, ready for traffic mmediately after paving. This can reduce construction time and restore access quickly. The joints between each paver eliminate cracking normal to conventional asphalt and concrete pavement.

Unlike concrete or asphalt, concrete pavers do not rely on continuity of their material for structural integrity. Therefore, utility cuts can be reinstated without damage to the pavement surface. Repair to underground utilities and to local deformations in the base materials can be accessed by removing and later reinstating the same pavers. No pavement materials are wasted or hauled to the landfill. Jackhammers are not required to open interlocking pavements. The modular units enable changes in the layout of the pavement over its life.

Excerpted from Tech Spec No. 10, Application Guide for Interlocking Concrete Pavements, published by ICPI.