Interlocking Concrete Pavers

Manufacture of Interlocking Concrete Pavers | Building Materials

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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.

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Interlocking Concrete Pavers | Landscape Architecture

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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 These conventional materials used for paving have been replaced by the Interlocking pavers.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.

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