Paving curves with the Einstein curve set
When renovating sidewalks, planners and local authorities particularly like to opt for paving: Paving looks good, excavations are not a problem and, when laid in accordance with regulations, paved surfaces can withstand the usual traffic loads. In order to avoid damage caused by traffic loads, those responsible like to use interlocking paving systems. It is important to ensure that the joints are laid correctly. If the paving stones are laid correctly, this ensures optimum force transmission between the stones. Any loads are thus transferred to the neighboring stones and damage to the surface is avoided. However, it can become problematic when curves are involved, because as soon as stones have to be cut for this reason, there is no longer an interlocking effect at these points on the surface. A good solution to this problem was found in Wipperfürth during the renovation of a residential street.
The Hanseatic town of Wipperfürth is located in the Oberberg district in the administrative district of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia and is the oldest town in the Bergisches Land region. At the end of 2021, work began on renewing the Memellandstraße carriageway over a length of approx. 420 m as a mixed surface. While the carriageway was built using asphalt, the multi-purpose lane and pavements were constructed using paving. A three-line paved channel runs between the surfaces, which serves to drain the areas. As the areas of the residential street are on a slope and have a number of bends, the planners responsible placed particularly high demands on the paving material to be used. Martin Saslona from the engineering firm Bohle in Wiehl explains why: “The sidewalk, which was previously far too narrow, was to be widened and the road widened to the same level and traffic calmed at the same time. To prevent the multi-purpose strip and paving from being damaged when driven over by residents or heavy delivery vehicles, a paving material was required that could withstand these traffic loads in the long term. The aim was also to give the road a harmonious appearance with the help of suitable paving. We were looking for a paving that would emphasize the character of the residential street, but at the same time offer a permanently stable solution,” says Saslona.
Modula Plus from the Einstein plaster family
The choice fell on the Modula Plus paving system from BERDING BETON.
The special feature of this system from the Einstein paver family is the D-point joint technology, which ensures that there is only minimal contact at the bottom edges of the stones when they are laid. Unlike many other interlocking pavers with spacer or interlocking cam systems, the proportion of the surface where the stones touch remains very small thanks to the Einstein paver technology. This prevents crunching, the joint required to absorb traffic loads is always maintained, thus ensuring optimum force transmission between the paving stones. Shear and horizontal forces caused by traffic on the surface are buffered by the joint material and transferred evenly to the base courses.
Realize curves with arch sets
“A major advantage of this system for us is also the fact that we were able to lay the curves within the walkways very cleanly thanks to the Einstein curved sets,” continues Martin Saslona. “An arch set consists of 16 individual elements that taper evenly. This makes it very easy to create curves. There is no need for time-consuming cutting work on site, and installation saves time and money.” As all curved setts are also equipped with seamless all-round displacement protection and D-point joint technology, optimum and durable joint formation is guaranteed. The Einstein composite effect is thus fully retained, and any forces that occur are safely transferred to the surface. Another plus point: the curved set is designed in such a way that a uniform and therefore visually appealing joint pattern is created when laid professionally. The curved set can be laid in radii ≥ 3.20 m. Changes of direction can be easily implemented. The curved set can also be combined with all formats from the Modula Plus range and in stone thicknesses of 8 and 10 cm. “In addition to the stability properties, the appearance of the paving surfaces also played an important role for us,” says Martin Saslona. “We designed the paving in red as a beautiful contrast to the natural gray sidewalk.”
The renovation work has been completed since summer 2023. Practical experience shows that the paved surface has not been damaged by residents’ cars or regular traffic from refuse collection vehicles – on the contrary: the surface still looks as good as new. Martin Saslona comments: “The surfaces not only look good, but are also stable enough to withstand the traffic loads that occur, as this is the only way they will remain attractive in the long term.”
