COMPOSITION AND MATERIALS
UNI® Interlocking Concrete Paving Stones are comprised of Portland cement, a small amount of water, and fine and coarse aggregates. Colors and admixtures are often added to this "no-slump" or "zero-slump" concrete mix. UNI® Manufacturers use state-of-the-art paver production equipment that molds the pavers using extreme pressure and high-frequency vibration. Some manufacturers may utilized special surface finishes such as sand blasting, bush hammering, tumbling, and polishing for a specialty architectural appearance. Consult with your local UNI® Manufacturer for availability of specialty finishes.A white deposit known as efflorescence may sometimes appear on any concrete or masonry product. It does not affect structural integrity and will eventually dissipate over time. Efflorescence is not indicative of a flawed product. It may be removed with specialized cleaners if desired. Your local UNI® manufacturer can recommend cleaning products and provide additional information on efflorescence.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
UNI® Concrete Pavers are manufactured to meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM C 936 - Standard Specification For Solid Interlocking Concrete Paving Units. They have a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi, a maximum water absorption of 5%, and will meet or exceed freeze-thaw testing per section 8 of ASTM C 67.
UNI® pavers are manufactured with
chamfered top edges which minimize chipping and spalling, facilitate the
removal of water from the surface of the pavers, and allow for snow removal
by plowing. Most UNI® pavers are made with spacer bars on
the sides of the unit which automatically provide the minimum joint width
when installed. UNI® pavers meet or exceed pedestrian slip
resistance guidelines recommended in the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), and may be adapted if future changes to the requirements are
implemented in the future.
Most UNI® Pavers are manufactured in 2 3/8 inch (60 mm) and 3 1/8
inch (80 mm) thicknesses.
Consult your local UNI®
Manufacturer regarding availability of colors and blends for your area.
APPLICATIONS
For pedestrian applications such as walkways, patios, pool decks, courtyards, plazas, and residential driveways 2 3/8 inch (60 mm) thick pavers are usually recommended. Vehicular trafficked pavements typically require the 3 1/8 inch (80 mm) thick paver units.
Interlocking concrete
pavements are typically constructed as flexible pavements - with a compacted
soil subgrade, compacted aggregate base, and a sand bedding course. The
joints between the pavers are filled with sand and the pavers are compacted,
creating interlock and transferring loads to the surrounding pavers by shear
forces through the joint sand. This enables loads to be spread in a
manner similar to asphalt flexible pavements and reduces the stresses on the
base and subgrade.
Pavement design varies with climate, available construction materials,
design methods, soil conditions, and traffic load. A qualified engineer,
architect, and/or landscape architect should be consulted in interlocking
concrete paver applications to ensure desired results.
Permeable interlocking concrete pavements are constructed much like
traditional interlocking concrete pavements, however coarser aggregate
materials are used for the subbase/base and for the bedding and joint fill
materials and design for the infiltration of rainwater into the base must be
considered. Please visit our UNI
Eco-Stone®
Family of Permeable Pavers
page for more information.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS
After UNI® Interlocking Concrete Pavers have been trafficked, they stiffen and increase their structural capacity over time. The structural contribution of the pavers and sand bedding layer typically exceeds that of an equivalent thickness of asphalt.
UNI® Pavers are high-quality,
extremely dense units which possess exceptional strength and durability,
superior stability under severe loads, and are unaffected by the extremes of
heat and frost. They can be used in any climate and can be trafficked
immediately upon compaction. The joints between the pavers eliminate
the cracking common with traditional asphalt and concrete pavements.
Unlike asphalt or concrete pavements, concrete pavers allow easy access to
underground utilities for repairs, and the same pavers can be reinstated
without an unsightly patch. Pavers are low-maintenance and offer low
life-cycle costs.
The many shapes, patterns, and colors of UNI® Concrete Pavers
allow for design creativity, as well as delineation of pavement areas, such
as parking lanes, cross walks, and intersections.
Our UNI Eco-Stone®
Family of Permeable Pavers
offers the same benefits, composition and physical characteristics as our
conventional interlocking concrete pavers, but also feature the added
advantage of infiltration of rainwater for stormwater management and
control.
MAINTENANCE
When properly installed, interlocking concrete pavements require virtually no maintenance. As with all pavements, they can become soiled over time. You may also wish to seal your pavement which gives the pavers a "wet-look" and deepens the color. Sealing can also help protect your pavement from spills. Contact your local UNI® Manufacturer for information on cleaning and sealing products for concrete pavers.
PRICE
Prices will vary depending on the project size and
location, pattern, thickness, color or colors, and construction requirements
of the project. Please contact your local
UNI® Manufacturer for
pricing, product availability, color selection, samples, and shipping
information.
This information also is available in
PDF format.