| ITEM | UNIT | H80 | H50 FLAG | H50 BLOCK | H50 Flag XL |
| Application | Vehicle & pedestrian | Pedestrian only | Pedestrian only | Pedestrian only | |
| Nominal size | mm | 210 x 140 x 80 | 300 x 300 x 50 | 200 x 100 x 50 | 400 x 400 x 50 |
| Work size | mm | 206 x 136 x 80 | 300 x 300 x 50 | 200 x 100 x 50 | 400 x 400 x 50 |
| Work size (face) area | m2 | 0.0280 | 0.0900 | 0.0200 | 0.16 |
| Gross plan area (nom.) | m2 | 0.0294 | 0.0900 | 0.0200 | 0.16 |
| Dry weight per unit (av.) | kg | 4.3 | 9.0 | 1.92 | |
| Units (work size) per m2 | no. | 35.71 | 11.11 | 50 | 6.25 |
| Units (nom.) per m2 | no. | 34.01 | 11.11 | 50 | 6.25 |
| Units per pallet | no. | 450 | 192 | 864 | |
| Rows per pallet | no. | 10 | 12 | 6 | |
| Units per row | no. | 40 | 16 | 100 | |
| Pallet dry weight inc base | tonnes | 1.98 | 1.76 | 1.69 | |
| Coverage per pallet | m2 | 12.6 | 17.28 | 17.28 | |
| Permeability (QMR Q304) | rating | Category E (Free Draining) | |||
| Slip Resistance (AS4586) | rating | Surface Class V * | |||
| Breaking Load mean [SD] | kN | 8.4 [0.6] | 6.2 [1.4] | 2.6 [0.3] | |
| Modulus of Rupture mean [SD] | MPa | 2.2 [0.2] | 3.1 [0.4] | 2.4 [0.2] | |
| Characteristic Breaking Load | kN | 7.4 | 3.9 | 2.1 | |
| Characteristic MOR | MPa | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.1 | |
| Bevels | mm | 4 | rounded | 4 |
| AS/NZS No. | Date Published | Title | Test Reports |
| 4455 | 1997 | Masonry units and segmental pavers | |
| 4456.0 | 2003 | General introduction and list of methods | |
| 4456.1 | 2003 | Sampling for testing | |
| 4456.2 | 2003 | Assessment of mean and standard deviation | |
| 4456.3 | 2003 | Determining dimensions | |
| 4456.4 * | 2003 | Determining compressive strength of masonry units | |
| 4456.5 | 2003 | Determining the breaking load of segmental pavers and flags | HydroSTON 80 HydroSTON 50 BlockHydroSTON 50 Flag |
| 4456.6 | 2003 | Determining potential to effloresce | |
| 4456.9 | 2003 | Determining potential to abrasion | HydroSTON 80 |
| 4456.10 | 2003 | Determining resistance to salt attack | |
| 4456.16 ** | 2003 | Determining permeability to water | HydroSTON 80 (QMR) |
| 4486.10 | 2004 | Slip resistance of new pedestrian surfaces | HydroSTON |
* Relates to masonry units. HydroSTON is not tested for compressive strength since results do not relate to performance of segmental paving units and flags.
** Now tested under QMR Q304:2002 Determination of Permeability of Asphalt (QMR: Queensland Main Roads).
HydroSTON 50 – pedestrian only
Suitable for footpaths, walkways, plazas, courtyards, tree and pool surrounds.
50 x 200 x 100 mm (HydroSTON 50 Block) and 50 x 300 x 300 mm (HydroSTON 50 Flag) are standard sizes available in Natural (light grey) colour and Charcoal. Block and Flag can be manufactured in non-standard colours during scheduled production runs.
Extra large format 50 x 400 x 400 mm pavers (HydroSTON 50 Flag XL) can be manufactured to order during scheduled production runs.
HydroSTON 80 – vehicle & pedestrian
Suitable for driveways, parking spaces, carparks and low volume residential roads.
HydroSTON 80 vehicle pavers are specially dimensioned for strength. Standard colours are Natural (light grey) and Charcoal. HydroSTON 80 can be manufactured in other colours during scheduled production runs.
HydroSTON 100 – industrial
HydroSTON 100 is not currently available. However, a 100mm thick HydroSTON paver could be manufactured for heavy duty applications eg bus and freight terminals if sufficient demand exists. For projects requiring industrial standard permeable concrete pavers, please contact HydroCon as early as possible to discuss requirements.
Standard colours for HydroSTON 50 (pedestrian only) and HydroSTON 80 (vehicle) pavers are Charcoal and Natural (light grey, no added oxide).
HydroCon endeavours to maintain good stocks of standard colours to meet normal customer requirements.
HydroSTON coloured pavers are currently manufactured using oxide supplied by Cathay Industries. Since April 2012, Charcoal has been produced using Colourmix Jet Black. Charcoal was previously manufactured using Cathay Industries’ Ferrotint F9550 Supreme Black.
Non-standard colours
Non-standard colours are generally manufactured to order during scheduled production runs of standard colours. Small quantities of remnant stock in various non-standard colours may be available from time to time. Not only is early lead time advice required for non-standard colours but customers need to be consulted on particular preferences in relation to the Colourmix colour chart.
A selection of non-standard colours, prepared as ‘cores’ in the laboratory, is shown in the palette to the right.
Colours from top, left to right:
- Ginger, Sandstone, Cappuccino
- Peppercorn, Deepcreek Sandstone (discontinued), Cream Sandstone, Sepia
- Cappuccino, Brilliant White, Spice/Terracotta
- Cream Marigold, Flint
- Cappuccino
HydroSTON colours can be varied by marginally reducing or increasing oxide:cement ratios and using grey or offwhite cement (see example of Cappuccino at bottom right). The majority of HydroSTON cores shown in the palette were prepared with grey cement at an oxide:cement ratio of 3%.
Note: Colour shown in photos can vary according to light conditions at the time photos are taken. Colour can also be affected by the curing process following manufacture. The current steam curing process can result in a lighter shade of colour.
The pigment used to colour HydroSTON does not permeate, but only coats, the aggregate used in the manufacture of the pavers. In pavement applications subject to abrasion – especially vehicle pavements – the colour on the top of surface grains of HydroSTON may wear off over time exposing the natural dark colour of the basalt aggregate. For this reason, colouring is generally restricted to pedestrian pavements ie HydroSTON 50 Block and Flag. While overall colour will still be retained, a pavement subject to high abrasion may develop a slight ‘mottled’ appearance.
Appearance may also be affected by efflorescence, which occurs with all concrete and any material containing portland cement. Efflorescence is caused when soluble salts and other water dispersible materials come to the surface of concrete and mortars. Efflorescence is normally white and shows up more on darker colors. However, variations in colour can often enhance the appearance of concrete pavements.
Joints are not required with HydroSTON 50 pavers, which are intended for pedestrian only pavements. Joints are not required because the loading on footpaths, courtyards etc is minimal and HydroSTON 50 Block and Flag are dimensionally very exact.
Under heavy loadings, HydroSTON 80 vehicle pavements should preferably be laid with 4mm av. gaps between pavers to ensure lock up of the pavement and provide flexibility of movement of individual pavers under load. Joints should be filled and compacted with 1-3mm low fines crushed rock. Low loading applications intended for light vehicles such as residential driveways, carparks and parking spaces may be laid without joints.
General
Where to use
- On-site infiltration
- Stormwater harvesting
- Increase water supply to trees and landscaped areas
- Reduce ‘hard’ surfaces, increase ‘soft’ surfaces
- Reduce likelihood of slipping eg schools & aged care facilities
- Reduce pavement heat and ambient air temperatures
Attributes
- Concrete composition
- Rated as ‘free draining’
- Strong, durable
- Segmental – individual units easily taken up, cleaned, replaced or repositioned as necessary. Allows access to utilities, and for tree root movement
- In situ cleaning
- Standard colours but can be custom manufactured in other colours
- Natural looking, blend in well
Where not to use
- Areas prone to flooding
- Sediment, leaf and debris accumulation
- Periodic maintenance (manual or mechanical brushing) not possible or unlikely
HydroSTON 50 Block & Flag
Where to use
- Pedestrian only pavements – footpaths, patios, courtyards, walkways, tree surrounds
Attributes
- Dimensionally exact
- Joints not required
- Minimal substructure
- Flag and Block compatible – can be combined in interesting patterns/designs
Where not to use
- Pavements used by vehicles, including street cleaning machines
HydroSTON 80
Where to use
- Pavements subject to vehicle loadings – vehicles with a gross mass not exceeding 10 tonnes, with occasional use by heavier vehicles
- Residential driveways
- Carparks, parking bays
- Minor roads and access lanes – up to 150 vehicles per day
- Drainage strips
- Watercourse base flow harvesting
- Tree surrounds subject to vehicle loads
Attributes
- Pavements can be designed for most forms of subgrade, including clay
- High strength and permeability
- Strong edge restraints required
- Laying pattern – herringbone bond
- Generally laid with joints
- Joint filler supplied with pavers
Where not to use
- Gradients greater than 7% – infiltration performance decreases with steeper gradients during heavy rain events
- Pavements subject to frequent heavy vehicle loading and turning
- Pavement surface less than 600 mm above ground water level
- Highly permeable, rated “free draining” – permeable through the full face and body
- Facilitate on-site water retention and harvesting of stormwater runoff for non-potable use
- Improve water quality by filtering stormwater runoff and removing pollutants at source
- Reduce peak-flow runoff and take pressure off existing stormwater drainage systems
- Collect and detain runoffs without open drains or pits
- Reduce flooding and surface ponding
- Provide subsurface on-site retention, also for roof runoffs
- Assist in replenishing groundwater and aquifers
- Increase water supply to trees and landscaped areas
- Allow root aeration
- Improve urban micro-climates by moderating evaporation and reducing reflective heat
- Contribute to urban water security
- Improve permeable area property ratios
- Provide a viable and cost effective supplement to existing storm drainage systems
- Have low life-cycle and maintenance costs
1.Is HydroSTON wheelchair approved ?
There appear to be no specific requirements for permeable pavers in the National Construction Code (NCC) or Australian Standards. Indeed, there is no process by which a product is ‘approved’ for a particular function, reliance being placed on compliance with relevant Standard provisions.
Australian Standard AS1428.1.2009 covers general technical requirements for Design for Access and Mobility. Because AS1428.1 is referenced in the BCA and in the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, compliance with its provisions satisfies compliance with the BCA.
The most relevant provision for segmental pavers in AS1428.1 appears to be Section 12: Surface of a continuous path of travel “All continuous accessible paths of travel are required to have a slip resistant surface, with a texture that is traversable by a wheelchair”.
HydroSTON 50 pavers are dimensionally exact and can therefore be butted together without gaps in joints. HydroSTON 80 and HydroSTON 50 Flag have 6 mm bevels on all four edges of the upper surface, while HydroSTON 50 Block has 4 mm bevels.
Since Note 3 of Section 12 states that “paving bricks with bevelled edges or chamfered rises greater than 3 mm . . . . are considered not traversable by a wheelchair”, HydroSTON 80 and HydroSTON 50 Flag should be laid with the underside upwards, thus creating a smooth, bevel free, fully continuous path of travel. Because HydroSTON 50 Block bevels largely comply with this restriction, paving units can probably be laid in the normal manner.
Notwithstanding specified bevel width, research in the US on wheelchair compatible pavers finds that wheelchair vibrations are lowest when pavers having a bevel width of 6 mm or less are installed in a 90 degree herringbone pattern in the direction of wheelchair travel. The research affirms the acceptability of segmental paving in designing for access and mobility.
HydroCon considers that HydroSTON permeable pavers can be laid to comply with Section 12 but notes that pavement design and construction is also critical to compliance. In view of this, HydroSTON pavements should be installed, wherever possible, by contractors recommended by HydroCon.
2.Any problems with steep driveways ?
The principal effect of slope on any permeable pavement is the degree of infiltration of rain and stormwater. The greater the slope, the faster will water move over the pavement hindering infiltration through the pavement. This applies particularly, of course, to periods of heavy rainfall.
Unlike permeable pavers that rely for infiltration on gaps in the paver structure, HydroSTON is porous and free draining across the full face and body of the paver. While HydroSTON functions best in terms of permeability when laid at zero gradient, HydroSTON permeable pavements may be constructed on slopes up to at least 7% (gradient of approx 1:14) without adverse effect on infiltration performance. Nonetheless, a number of HydroSTON driveways have been installed in high gradient situations and appear to be effectively capturing and infiltrating rainfall. Light rainfall should be infiltrated regardless of slope.
Another issue with steep driveways is abrasion. HydroSTON is manufactured using a special formulation of 5mm virgin basalt aggregate, sand and cement to create interconnected voids through which water will flow. It is a very strong and durable product. When installed on steep driveways, the pavement surface may be affected over time to abrasion from braking or acceleration. Should extreme damage occur, however, the segmental paving units can be easily lifted and turned over or replaced with new units.