Author: Amanda Peterson

Some unit paving projects that are anticipating high pedestrian or vehicular traffic will use a bituminous setting bed application for structural support. The design starts out with a poured concrete sub-slab that is reinforced with rebar. Sometimes a heating system is incorporated into the concrete slab to assist with snow melt. The concrete slab is topped with an asphalt tack coat and 1″ of bituminous asphalt that is compacted down to 3/4″ thickness. Last, a thin layer of neoprene adhesive is laid on top of the bituminous before the pavers are set down. Once the designated paver pattern is installed, the joints are typically filled with polymeric sand. Structures has installed this application for many pedestrian walkways out front of Fortune 500 headquarters and in crosswalks and roadways of urban properties across the country.

Segmental reinforced retaining walls were introduced to the construction industry in the 1980’s. Small blocks typically cover about 1 SF at the face and weigh about 90 – 110 lbs. This allows all the blocks to be laid by hand. Small block walls are typically used as a cost effective solution to the needs for significant grade breaks and earth retention on a construction project. Walls can be designed to withstand the surcharge of a vehicular fire lane or even that of a multiple story building. The structural stability of these segmental retaining walls, comes form the geogrid reinforcement laid behind the blocks. The grids are locked into place by the blocks interlocking connection and the soil backfill that is compacted over the grids with the use of large compacting equipment. Structures relies on its engineering resources and knowledge to present the most economical retaining wall solution for any project. All of Structures retaining wall projects are reviewed by an engineering team before a proposal is put together to ensure all aspects of a specific project are covered.

There is a growing demand in the urban living market for high-rise developments to incorprate outdoor living spaces within their properties. The installation of paver pedestal systems is a functional economical solution that allows just that! The pedestal system typically stands on top of a concrete topping slab and the roof’s waterproofing membrane and insulation. The use of this system allows storm water to flow freely through the paver joints and down to the building’s roof drainage system. The concrete topping slab is pitched to take care of the water drainage, while the pedestals stand vertical with a perfectly flat patio elevation. In some situations, the pavers can be recessed to allow for the installation of artificial turf areas.

When concrete blocks don’t meet the aesthetic standards of the project, turning to natural stone can be a viable solution. Stones can come in all different shapes and sizes. Bigger stones can assist with constructing a gravity wall and eliminate the need for geogrid reinforcement. Or, multiple sizes can be used to achieve a mosaic pattern. No matter the pattern, any wall can be reinforced with geogrid if needed to add extra strength for support of the load baring on top of the wall. All our stone walls are strategically designed by an engineer to make sure the wall can preform with the stone that is selected. The quality aesthetics of natural stone can be a unique addition to any construction project.

Segmental pavers set in a sand setting bed is an application dating back to the days of ancient Eqypt when workers needed to transport large stones to the temples of Giza nearly 5,000 years ago. Today’s installation methods have been modernized, but many aspects of the segmental paving system remain true to its history. Tightly fitted, uniform units are placed over a sand setting bed and compacted aggregate base. Segmental pavers come in all different types of finishes, colors, shapes, and sizes ranging from clay bricks to concrete pavers. Structures can discuss valued engineering ideas from introducing innovative paver products, to changing a poured concrete sidewalk system to a low cost, low maintenance segmental paver application. Snow melt systems can easily be integrated to eliminate snow and ice removal efforts.