Advanced TECH GUIDE
64Pages

TECH GUIDE PAVING STONES | RETAINING WALLS

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...

PAVER AND WALL INSTALLATION -7 Tech Guide

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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

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...

Excavation There are several factors associated with base construction that may impact the depth requirements of the base. The depth of excavation depends on load requirements, drainage, existing soil conditions and paver or wall style and thickness. To determine the depth of the excavation, use of the following tables is recommended. Table 3: Typical base thickness for pavers WELL DRAINED AREA/ UNDISTURBED SOIL POORLY DRAINED AREA/ DISTURBED SOIL BEDDING COURSE PAVER THICKNESS BEDDING COURSE Pedestrian Traffic Patios, Walkways, Pool Decks Vehicular Traffic Residential Driveways Vehicular...