Concrete paving tiles: a review of manufacturing

Pavement coatings can be made using different materials, but it is concrete paving slabs that are becoming more and more common today. What are the characteristics of this tile, how it is made and how it is used for its intended purpose - these are the questions that we will try to answer in this article.

Main characteristics

Тротуарная плитка с давних пор изготавливается с применением различных производственных материалов. Впрочем, наиболее популярной и востребованной основой для этих целей является бетон и смеси, изготовленные с его применением (см.также статью «Алмазное бурение бетона – нюансы осуществления работ»).

The main advantage of the use of concrete in the preparation of tiles is the simplicity of technology, which favorably affects the cost of finished products.

Despite the fact that the recipe of concrete for paving slabs is simple, finished products can withstand significant mechanical loads. This feature distinguishes concrete products from tiles made from most other materials.

As already mentioned, the composition of concrete for paving slabs is simple and is a mixture of cement, water and a number of fillers, which may differ depending on the preferences of the manufacturer and the price category to which the finished product belongs. However, the composition of ingredients, as well as the strength characteristics of this product, should be determined according to GOST 17608 91.

Products that meet the requirements of this guest are characterized by resistance to mechanical loads and to the adverse effects of environmental factors, including temperature drops, precipitation and reagents.

Manufacturing technology

To date, there are three ways to manufacture paving slabs:

• vibropressing method of semi-dry mix;
• method of hyper pressing semi-dry mixture;
• vibration method.

Consider each technology in detail and separately:

• In the process of vibropressing, the previously prepared mixture is poured into molds installed on a vibrating frame.. In addition to the vibration impact, the mixture is a mechanical load. For this purpose, a punch is lowered into the mold, compacting the contents of the matrix to the required density parameters.

After the required time has passed, the punch rises and the product remains ready for removal in the form.

This method is good compressed production time, a high degree of automation and relatively high quality of the finished result. Again, due to the simplicity and effectiveness of the production process, the price of the finished product is low.

• Hyper pressing is also realized by compacting the concrete mix under high pressure.. But in this case, in addition to pressure, vibration is not used.

The absence of vibration is compensated by a higher applied pressure, which is up to 250 kilograms per square centimeter of the contents of the form. The pressure intensity may be less, depending on the characteristics of the mixture used.

An important advantage of hyper pressing is the absence of the need to use technological pallets, since concrete paving slabs with a thickness of 70 mm can be stored directly on transport pallets.

• The vibratory casting is a technology in which the punch is not used and the mechanical action is replaced by an intense vibration transmitted from the vibrating table to the form with a pre-prepared mixture.

The degree of precipitation of the mixture in the form can be judged by the appearance on the surface of the cement milk. After the mixture has settled, expelled moisture is manually removed from the surface, and then the whole product is wrapped with a film to avoid chapping and cracking of the concrete.

The final strength is gained by the product within 28 days from the start of the production process.

Strength properties of finished products

Technological map for the device of asphalt concrete pavement covering contains the following standards on the physical characteristics of concrete tiles.

Characteristics of products manufactured by vibratory casting technology:

• resistance to abrasion - 0.49 g / cm ?;
• compressive strength - 100-300 kg / cm ?;
• water absorption parameters - 4.9% of the volume;
• frost resistance - F200;
• operational resource - from 3 to 10 years.

Characteristics of products manufactured by vibropressing technology:

• resistance to abrasion - 0.3 g / cm ?;
• compressive strength - 300-400 kg / cm ?;
• water absorption parameters - 0.5% of the volume;
• frost resistance - F300;
• operational resource - from 25 years.

Important: Paving slabs made by the method of vibropressing, has a rough surface, and the products obtained by the method of vibratory casting, most often, smooth.

Independent production

Suppose you decide to make a pavement of concrete with your own hands.

In this case, you will need a tiled matrix form, a compact concrete mixer and the production technology of the mixture.

Important: The following proportions of concrete for paving slabs are calculated based on the use of cement PC-I-500 in standard fifty-kilogram bags.

• In the mixer pour 20 liters of water. We use clean tap or well water.
• Add plasticizers. The most common type of plasticizers, C-3, is added in the amount of 400 g. In order for the plasticizer to dissolve, it must first be diluted in a small amount of warm water.
• Pigments are added in accordance with their type and recommendations given in the instructions. We do not use dyes beyond the norm, since their overabundance reduces the strength of the finished product.
• Add three twelve-liter buckets of crushed granite with a fraction not higher than 5-10. Mix the mixture so that the whole filler is well moistened.
• Next, pour the bag of cement and mix the contents without adding additional water.
• Next, we fall asleep 4 full buckets of artificial sand and a bucket of rubble, mix again until a uniform consistency is formed. If the mixture is too thick, you can add water, but not more than half a bucket. After that, the mixture can be divided into forms.

Conclusion

Now you know how and what the paving slabs are made of concrete. Production instructions are simple and if necessary you can do everything yourself.

More useful information can be found by watching the video in this article.