General perception of curbs on our roads
The separator of the pedestrian sidewalk and the roadway used to all townspeople has different names. In many northern regions it is called a curb, somewhere in other regions - an onboard stone. But the name of such a dividing stone, which was adopted and "stayed" even in the times of the Union, was a "curb" or a curbstone. It is made of natural or artificial stones.
The main functions of the side stone include not only the designation, but also the physical ensuring of the boundaries of internal and external road zoning: pavements( footpaths), safety islands, ground areas with plants and trees, roadways, etc.
For this, even its height is normalized, on average, the requirements are set within 10 cm. Thus, along with other amenities of road improvement, the safety and convenience of pedestrian and transport traffic increases. They serve as a kind of stoppers for covering the pedestrian and roadways of roads.
At the same time, considering the operating conditions, the curbs can be subjected to various influences, incl.mechanical, sufficiently large destructive force, with the need for their subsequent repair or complete replacement. As you know, road works are always very expensive, and why from the point of view of economic expediency the curb of granite is the most optimal variant of the side stone.
Granite curb - a few words about the characteristics of
Production of granite stones of high quality, for example, the popular curb of GP-1, requires industrial equipment. Naturally, a block carefully trimmed from an array of natural high-quality granite, 0.3x0.15x0.7 meters in size, will cost a little more than a similar stone cast from reinforced concrete.
It should be remembered and received a wide distribution and popularity because of the low cost of technology for making stones and paving slabs by the methods of dry pressing. Is this an alternative to natural quality?
It should be taken into account that the service life of the cast block of reinforced concrete is officially calculated in periods of up to two decades. And blocks obtained by the method of dry pressing, serve even less, and rarely "live" to five years, having a crumbling appearance and creating a danger of movement.
Therefore, already mentioned curb granite GP-1 possesses undoubted advantages, including from the point of view of economy of operation. Obviously, it has practically no alternative, as an option for use in the central part of cities and in places with the most brisk traffic, ensuring preservation of the operation and aesthetics of the exterior.
If the aforementioned granite side stone is mainly used to divide the roadways and streets, then in the design of the pedestrian part( separation of beds, lawns of sidewalks, etc.), granite GP-4 granite, manufactured by industrial enterprises forthese purposes on the same equipment.
The standard dimensions of such a unit are proportionally reduced and amount to 0.2х0.1х0.7 meters. Like his "big" brother, this curb has an unlimited lifespan, is very durable and aesthetic.
Ceramic granite is an enviable alternative to natural granite
Speaking about granite materials, it is necessary to remember that these unique stones are not found anywhere else in the Solar system, and this is the "know-how" of our planet. But the industry has mastered the production of artificial granites, called porcelain stoneware.
This type of material is little inferior, moreover, in some ways it exceeds the natural granites. If products from the massifs of natural stones are cut more often, adhering to certain tolerances, the blocks of porcelain products can be formed initially, by pressing raw materials.
Thus, if we can obtain ceramic granite by pressure and high-temperature firing, the border of it has a predetermined geometry of dimensions, repeated with high accuracy in all samples of the product. Obviously, this repeatability has a beneficial effect on the appearance of the laid out curbs.
A few words about laying a granite curb
Carrying out the work on laying stones is of a typical sequence and does not have special requirements. As in other cases, when any granite is laid, the curb is placed in a previously prepared and marked groove of the corresponding depth. As already mentioned, the required height of the protruding part should be about 10 cm.
A sand layer of up to 20 cm is laid on the bottom of the groove, depending on the expected loads. Two layers of crushed stone of medium and fine fractions are poured over the sand cushion. After that, the layers are carefully compacted, a dry mixture of sand and cement( 1: 3) is laid in a layer of 5 cm.
A curb block is installed and carefully pushed into the received cushion to the same level with the blocks installed earlier. After installation, water is abundantly moistened to strengthen the pillow. This operation should be repeated for several days.
