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Advanced TECH GUIDE

Advanced TECH GUIDE
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Advanced TECH GUIDE

Product catalog summary
Introduction
Unilock® is a prominent manufacturer of paving stones and retaining walls, offering products for commercial and residential projects. This guide outlines construction techniques for paving stones and segmental retaining walls, emphasizing the importance of consulting Unilock® representatives for critical designs.
Interlocking Concrete Pavements
Concept: These pavements consist of precast modular units over a sand and gravel base, providing flexibility and resistance to cracking.
Advantages: They offer durability, reusability, aesthetic appeal, freeze-thaw resistance, and economic benefits, with low maintenance and immediate usability after installation.
Components: The interlocking mechanism includes vertical, horizontal, and rotational interlocks for effective load distribution.
Segmental Retaining Walls
Concept: Constructed by stacking concrete units that interlock for stability and flexibility.
Advantages: Modular, aesthetically pleasing, and require minimal maintenance, designed to absorb minor movements without special footings.
Paver and Wall Installation
Design and Planning: Proper planning and engineering design are crucial. Walls over 3 feet require engineering certification.
Base Construction: Involves excavation, soil compaction, and drainage considerations for a stable foundation.
Paver Installation: Includes edge restraints, bedding course, and paver placement, with manual or mechanical installation options.
Retaining Wall Installation
Gravity Retaining Walls: Focus on base preparation, stacking units, and backfill.
Reinforced Retaining Walls: Use geogrid reinforcement for added stability.
Details and Maintenance
Details: Covers splitting, corners, curves, steps, planters, and pillars.
Maintenance Guide: Provides cleaning and sealing tips to maintain paver appearance and functionality.
Material Flow and Preparation
Outlines the process of preparing and laying paving units, starting with stockpiling aggregate or stabilized base and bedding sand, followed by laying and compacting paving units and placing jointing sand.
Utilities Location and Excavation Layout
Locate and mark all underground utilities before excavation for safety. Mark the excavation perimeter with paint and double-check measurements.
Base Construction and Excavation
Excavation depth is influenced by load requirements, drainage, soil conditions, and paver or wall style and thickness. Tables recommend base thicknesses for different traffic types and soil conditions.
Soil Conditions and Field Tests
Field tests like the "patty," "shake," and "snake" tests help identify soil types, assessing clay, sand, and silt content.
Site Drainage
Proper drainage is essential, with a minimum slope of 2% recommended to direct water away from buildings.
Soil Compaction
Compaction increases soil load-bearing capacity and prevents settlement. Avoid compacting excessively wet or dry soils.
Base Installation and Geotextiles
Geotextiles are recommended over cohesive soils to prevent fines from migrating into the base.
Quality of Base Materials
Specifications for base materials should align with local engineering standards or ASTM D 2940.
Compaction Procedures
Involves lateral and perimeter compaction techniques, ensuring overlap of about one-third the width of the compactor base.
Edge Restraints
Prevent horizontal movement of pavers and should be installed along the perimeter or where pavement material changes.
Bedding Sand and Screeding
Bedding sand should be coarse and conform to specific gradation requirements. Screeding involves leveling the bedding sand using guides.
Paver Installation
Efficient handling and color blending of pavers are essential. Various laying patterns are available, with herringbone and random patterns recommended for vehicular traffic areas.
Mechanical Installation
Mechanical laying machines can significantly increase installation efficiency.
Cutting
Cutting is common in concrete paver projects, typically required along edges or when patterns change. Use protective gear when cutting.
Compacting Pavers
Compacting is crucial for leveling pavers and setting them into the bedding course.
Borders and Accents
Unilock products offer design opportunities for unique borders and banding.
Jointing Sand
Sweeping sand into joints completes the interlocking effect, providing frictional resistance and load distribution.
Cleaning and Finishing
Ensure all edge pieces are cut and placed, surfaces compacted, and joints filled with sand at the end of each workday.
Base Preparation
For wall systems, prepare the base by considering grade changes and using filter cloth or geotextile.
Installing the First Course
Start at the lowest elevation or next to a fixed structure. Use a string line for alignment.
Backfill
Backfill every 12” of wall height, compacting to 95% SPD.
Coping Unit
Dry-fit coping units, apply adhesive, and secure them.
Finish Grading
Encapsulate the backfill with filter cloth and topsoil.
Geogrid Reinforcement
Used for walls beyond traditional capabilities, requiring additional construction steps.
Cleaning Procedures
Regular cleaning using a stable broom and detergent is recommended. Inspect for cracked or broken units before cleaning.
Stain Removal
Use absorbent materials for grease and oil stains. Unilock® offers specific removers for various stains.
Sealing
Sealants enhance color and inhibit staining. Ensure the surface is clean and dry before sealing.
Specialty Sands
Unilock® Polymeric Jointing Sand and EasyPro™ Jointing Compound are recommended for filling joints.
Use of Chemicals & Acids
Follow manufacturer instructions when using chemicals. Wear protective clothing and ensure proper ventilation.
Contact Information
Unilock provides contact details for various locations across the United States and Canada for further assistance.
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Catalog excerpts

Advanced TECH GUIDE-1

TECH GUIDE PAVING STONES | RETAINING WALLS

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The content of this manual was developed using the vast experience acquired by the Unilock® sales force during more than 40 years in the precast concrete industry. Unilock® has attempted to ensure that all information contained in this guide is correct. However, there is the possibility that this guide may contain errors. Review all critical designs with your local Unilock® representative prior to construction. Final determination of the suitability of any information or material is the sole responsibility of the user. Products mentioned herein are subject to regional availability....

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-3

PAVER AND WALL INSTALLATION -7 Tech Guide

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-5

INTRODUCTION As North America’s premier paving stone and retaining wall manufacturer, Unilock® is a dynamic organization at the forefront of the commercial and residential concrete landscape products industry. Our exclusive range of products, services and expertise is continually expanding. Whether you are building a complete streetscape or a residential walkway, patio or driveway, Unilock® can provide you with a range of shapes, colors and textures second to none within the precast concrete industry. Be sure to use Unilock products made with EnduraColor™ and EnduraColor Plus™. Visit our website...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-6

Below ground access - Pavers can be removed and reinstalled without any visual or functional changes. This is ideal for utility access below ground. Skid resistance - The surface texture of pavers gives superior traction in pedestrian, automotive and pool applications. Economics - Paving stones offer an economical alternative to other types of pavement especially over the long term. When maintenance and replacement costs are considered, other forms of paving are usually more expensive. Maintenance - With proper installation, pavers require low maintenance. Accessories - Accessory products for...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-7

Typical cross sections UNILOCK EDGE RESTRAINT (BURIED) JOINTING SAND UNILOCK PAVERS BEDDING SAND COMPACTED 3/4" CRUSHER RUN GRAVEL GEOTEXTILE AS REQUIRED BY DESIGN COMPACTED SOIL SUBGRADE MINIMUM 6"- 8" (150-200MM) Figure 3. Paver installation with PVC or aluminum edge restraint CONCRETE CURB UNILOCK PAVERS JOINTING SAND 1" THICK BEDDING COURSE OF 1/8" CLEAR CHIP STONE GRASS TOPSOIL 14" (MIN) THICK BASE OF 3/4" CLEAR CHIP STONE 4" DRAIN PIPE RECOMMENDED AT LOWEST POINT. MUST BE CONNECTED TO APPROPRIATE OUTLET GEOTEXTILE AS REQUIRED BY DESIGN MINIMUM 4"-6" (100-150MM) COMPACTED OR UNDISTURBED...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-8

CONCRETE CURB UNILOCK PAVERS JOINTING SAND 1" THICK BEDDING COURSE OF 1/8" CLEAR CHIP STONE 4" - 6” REINFORCED CONCRETE PAD WITH POSITIVE DRAINAGE AWAY FROM STRUCTURES COMPACTED SOIL SUBGRADE GEOTEXTILE OR FILTER FABRIC Figure 6. Paver installation over cast-in-place concrete Caution: Pavers over Concrete A bedding course of 1/8” clear chip stone on a concrete pad will provide the necessary drainage required, but will provide little or no “give” when final compaction of the pavers is attempted. You also run the risk of damaging the pavers. Therefore we highly recommend that you make the necessary...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-9

Overview of Segmental Retaining Walls Concept All Unilock’s retaining wall systems have been engineered to work on the basic premise that the mass of the concrete units will counter the force of the soils being retained. To achieve this, units are simply stacked on top of each other using a runner bond pattern. The locking mechanism on each of the units interlocks with the units below. This creates a strong connection between the individual units, preventing sliding and bulging of the wall. Most Unilock® retaining wall systems have a patented offset tongue-and-groove design, which ensures that...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-10

Components COPING UNIT GRASS UNILOCK CONCRETE ADHESIVE RETAINED SOIL WALL UNIT INFILL GRAVEL PERFORATED DRAIN WITH FILTER SOCK COMPACTED GRANULAR BASE EXISTING SITE SOIL MUST BE UNDISTURBED Figure 6. Conventional gravity structure COPING UNIT GRASS UNILOCK CONCRETE ADHESIVE WALL UNIT MAXIMUM HEIGHT AS SPECIFIED BY DESIGN RETAINED SOIL GEOGRID AS SPECIFIED BY DESIGN INFILL GRAVEL COMPACTED GRANULAR BASE PERFORATED DRAIN WITH FILTER SOCK EXISTING SITE SOIL MUST BE UNDISTURBED Figure 7. Typical components of a geo-grid reinforced retaining wall

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-11

PAVER AND WALL INSTALLATION Design and Planning Sketch or plan A well thought-out design, combined with proper planning, makes the installation proceed smoothly and ensures a quality installation. Proper planning and organization will reduce headaches and costly mistakes and will improve customer relations. It is recommended to elaborate on a plan, showing all measurements, diagrams and cross sections for all landscape elements. Elevation views and all details involved in the project should be sketched as well. Engineering design and certification Walls greater than 3’ (1 m) or with a heavy load...

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-12

COMPACTED AND INSPECTED AGGREGATE OR STABILIZED BASE EDGE RESTRAINT CONSTRUCTED ON BASE COURSE BEDDING SAND STOCKPILED AHEAD OF SCREEDING SAND BEDDING COURSE SCREED LAYING FACE UNCOMPACTED PAVING UNITS LAID PAVER BUNDLES PLACED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO LAYING FACE PAVING UNITS COMPACTED JOINTING SAND BEING PLACED PAVEMENT COMPLETED ALLOW ACCESS Figure 8. Flow of material onto the job side

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Advanced TECH GUIDE-13

Utilities location For personal safety of all crew members, make sure that all underground utilities have been located and clearly marked. Contact local utility companies to find any underground services, such as telephone, electricity, gas, cable TV, etc. Mark any structures, such as water supply, irrigation piping, storm and sanitary sewer, etc. Base Construction Layout for excavation Stake out the area - Before excavation begins, mark out the perimeter with paint, locating all elements, such as steps, planters, raised patios, etc., In order to get a “feel” for the design. This will make it...

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*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.