Manufacture of Interlocking Concrete Pavers | Building Materials

by

How are interlocking pavers made?

Earlier, we discussed the “History of the evolution of Interlocking pavers”. Now we will move on with the discussion how interlocking pavers are manufactured and what materials are used in it. We will also be studying the tests that are carried out to check the strength of a concrete paver.

Materials for the manufacture of Interlocking Pavers

Interlocking Pavers are made from namely four ingredients:

  1. Dry mix of gravel
  2. Cement
  3. Sand
  4. Desired color for aesthetic purpose

The ingredients are mixed together by adding very little water to it. The mixture is then moved on conveyor belts and then funnelled into the pavers mold. Pressure is applied to the mixture in the mold and the mold is vibrated. Pressure and vibrations cause the water to set which helps in binding the aggregates together. Further, the mold is removes and perfectly finished pavers are obtained.

Pavers are supposed to have zero slump. Having zero slump proves that the concrete is strong. After the concrete pavers are manufactured, they are sent to the laboratory to undergo slump test.

How is Slump test conducted?

8” tall cone is taken. Concrete is poured into the cone. The cone is turned upside down and removed. The amount the concrete slumps from the original 8” is measured.

For example: If it measures 7”, it is said to have 1” slump.

Read more

Interlocking Concrete Pavers | Landscape Architecture

by

Interlocking Concrete Pavers

Interlocking concrete Pavers are also called Segmental Pavers. This special type of of pavers have emerged in the United States over the last few decades.

Earlier, brick, clay or concrete was used for paving. These conventional materials used for paving have been replaced by the Interlocking pavers.

If we are to study history, we will see that Segmental pavers have been used since Roman times for thousands of years ago. Romans used Segmental pavers to build roads.

In the mid 1940s, pavers began to be produced out of concrete. The use of interlocking pavers happened for a reason.

Holland lies below sea level because of which the ground in Holland shifts, moves and sinks. This made it clear to the designers that they needed the roads to be made flexible which would help in preventing the cracking of roads.

Interlocking Pavers Driveway
Interlocking Pavers Driveway

In this case, if poured concrete was to be used, its rigid nature would not be able to take the movement of the ground and would result in cracking of the roads.

It was also noticed that the concrete pavers when laid in sand performed much better than the concrete pavers laid in concrete.

Since the evolution of concrete pavers took place in Holland, they were called as Holland Stones.

The size of the concrete pavers was 4”x8” and was shaped just like a brick.

Read more

Landscape Architecture

by

Landscape Architecture

If we design a building aesthetically good and also decorate it beautifully  from inside, yet if its surrounding outside area is rubbish, then the beauty of the building will be considered reduced. As such the building must have a beautiful surrounding. This is achieved by landscape development.

Landscaping is an art of planning the drives, walks, lawns, shrubs, gardens, flower-beds etc. so as to form a beautiful setting for a building. The main purpose of landscaping is to create a joyful environment round the building and give the occupants a healthy breath, good appearance and natural beauty.

Read more

Design considerations for Commercial Kitchen design

by

How to design a Restaurant/Commercial Kitchen?

Commercial Kitchen design is completely different from the residential Kitchen design. The design considerations in terms of functionality and circulation of space play a great role. The design of services such as water supply, drainage, fire fighting, Heating and Ventilation systems, Exhausts etc play a major role in the successful working of a Kitchen.

Restaurant/Hotel Kitchen Design
Restaurant/Hotel Kitchen Design

In this article, we will discuss various design considerations for Restaurant/Hotel(Commercial) Kitchen design.

Menu

Before, we get onto designing, it is very important that we discuss the menu of the Restaurant. The type of food menu will decide the design parameters to be considered. The space has to be designed in a harmonic flow so as to serve to the increasing public without any hassle.

  1. Timings
  2. The area
  3. Peak hours – cater to peak hour timings
  4. Selection of fuels (for different items… Chinese, Indian, Continental etc) (Fuels that are generally preferred are Propane, LPG, Coal)

Departmentalization (to achieve division of labour)

The study of different departments in a Commercial kitchen is to be carried out. After the analysis of your survey, you can figure out the list of various departments that you incorporate into your Kitchen design. Ofcourse, it also depends on the wish of the client as to what all departments he would prefer in his Restaurant/Hotel.

Read more