Road

The backbone of today’s infrastructure, roads link people, places, and commodities over great distances. They are vital elements of social development, economic expansion, and urban planning, not merely routes for cars. A well-built road has the power to change an area by increasing accessibility and creating new avenues for trade and communication.

Concrete is one of the most important materials used in road construction, which also requires careful planning and other resources. Concrete roads are a popular option for numerous projects due to their strength, longevity, and durability. They guarantee dependable and safe transportation by withstanding large loads and inclement weather.

It’s fascinating to learn about the concrete road construction process. It starts with meticulous site preparation, then a strong foundation is laid. After that, the concrete is spread, poured, and dried to produce a sturdy, smooth surface. To get the required quality and performance, each step needs to be completed with accuracy and skill.

This post will discuss the various phases of building a road, the advantages of using concrete, and the methods used to guarantee a strong and effective path. This guide will give you important insights into the field of concrete road construction, regardless of whether you work in construction or are just interested in learning more about how roads are constructed.

Topic Description
Road Construction Methods and materials used to build durable roads.
Concrete Roads Benefits and challenges of using concrete for road surfaces.
Maintenance Tips for maintaining and repairing concrete roads.
Sustainability Eco-friendly practices in road construction and upkeep.
Innovations Latest advancements in road construction technology.

What is a curbstone for roads?

It is referred to as a curbstone in state act terminology. Concrete structures with standard features that divide the road from the sidewalk or green space are included in this product category.

When building roads for different purposes, they are laid out in accordance with the project:

  1. urban;
  2. highway;
  3. intra-quarter.

High strength indicators set them apart from other curbstone varieties, enabling them to sustain mechanical loads from heavy vehicle collisions while simultaneously protecting the pedestrian surface from damage.

Specialized heavy concrete is used to make road curbs, and if the stone is longer than three meters, it is further reinforced. There are road infrastructure projects that call for granite curb installation.

Concrete road curbs can be made using a variety of techniques, the most recent of which are vibration pressing and vibration casting. Using these technologies gives curb stones increased strength, plasticity, mechanical stress and temperature resistance, as well as increased resistance to moisture and frost.

Road lifting equipment is used to lay road curbs longer than one meter, while a team of two or more people can manually install stones of shorter lengths.

A compacting foundation made of concrete mortar, sand, and crushed stone must be placed beneath it when laying alongside the road to ensure strong fixation and protection from erosion caused by precipitation. Such a stone is fitted with a unique drainage system in areas where natural water collects.

What are curbs used for?

The required step in building a road includes the installation of on-board stones. Manufacturers produce various modifications of these products to enhance performance characteristics and prolong the life of city and highway roads, contingent upon the traffic load and vehicle types.

When the curb is installed in compliance with the standards, it stops the building materials from gradually eroding from the underlying layer, which could lead to the main road surface becoming surrounded and spreading.

Therefore, road safety is the main reason that road stones need to be installed. The road curb in the improvement system achieves the following main goals:

  • traffic safety
  • pedestrian safety;
  • creation of boundaries of track facilities and road surfaces;
  • preservation of external asphalt and tiled road surfaces;
  • design of parking lots, parking lots and other objects of urban and suburban infrastructure.

Characteristics and parameter requirements

Road curb parameters that are rigorously standardized:

  • by dimensions;
  • weight;
  • strength characteristics.

The primary working material, modifications, dimensions, and manufacturing technologies will all affect these indicators.

Weight

The size and composition of the stone determine the weight of road curbs. This indicator is standardized; vibration products are an exception, as their modified geometry causes variations in the final product’s weight.

Weight characteristics of different modified road curbs:

  • urban, concrete, ordinary, 100 * 30 * 15, 105 kg;
  • urban, concrete, reinforced, 100 * 30 * 18, 120 kg;
  • urban concrete, reinforced, high, 100 * 60 * 20, 280 kg;
  • main, ordinary, concrete, reinforced, 300 * 30 * 15, 320 kg;
  • main, reinforced, concrete, reinforced, 300*30*18, 380 kg;
  • main, concrete, reinforced, high, reinforced, 300*45*18, 580 kg;
  • urban, granite, regular, 100*30*15, 125 kg.

Here is comprehensive weight information.

Dimensions

Road curbstones must be produced in compliance with the fundamental GOST No. 6665 of 1991 release in terms of size.

Dimensions of road curbs with different modifications:

  • urban, concrete, regular, 100*30*15, L/H/W: 1000/300/150 mm;
  • urban, concrete, reinforced, 100*30*18, L/H/W: 1000/300/180 mm;
  • urban concrete, reinforced, high, 100*60*20, L/H/W: 1000/600/200 mm;
  • main, regular, concrete, reinforced, 300*30*15, L/H/W:3000/300/150 mm;
  • main, reinforced, concrete, reinforced, 300*30*18, L/H/W:3000/300/180 mm;
  • main, concrete, reinforced, high, reinforced, 300*45*18, L/H/W:3000/300/150 mm;
  • city, granite, regular, 100*30*15, L/H/W:1000/300/150 mm.

Regulatory framework according to GOST

GOST No. 6665 of 1991 for concrete and reinforced concrete curbs, GOST No. 32018 of 2021 for granite, and GOST No. 52289 of 2004 for road safety requirements must all be met during production.

The requirements for road stone production, transportation, storage, installation, and marking are outlined in the relevant regulatory documents.

In addition to being noted in the product certificates, markings should be applied to the curbstone’s surface or directly on the packaging. Alphanumeric markings are one type. For instance, a straight row stone with dimensions of -3 m in length, 0.45 m in height, and 0.18 m in width is denoted by the number BR 300-45-18.

Interpreting the curb’s brand in accordance with GOST:

  • B – straight;
  • R – row;
  • U – with widening;
  • UP — with interrupted widening;
  • L — with a tray;
  • B — drive-in type;
  • K — curved shape.

Types of fences

These days, the retail network carries dozens of distinct curb modifications that are made across the nation.

To facilitate communication between the contractor and the customer, this assortment of products is arranged based on several criteria, including installation purpose, main, regular, or hazardous area, as well as parking lots or parking areas. Furthermore, border stones are arranged according to the kind of material.

For purpose and purpose

There are a variety of tasks related to borders, as well as numerous road objects and circumstances where installing specially designed stone modifications is necessary to guarantee road safety.

The most widely used ones are for trunks and roads, which may have identical dimensions but different strengths and resistance to frost.

Furthermore, there are border stones for installation on a roadway in a hazardous area and for entry into parking lots.

A radius border stone up to 1,000 meters long, up to 320 millimeters high, and up to 300 millimeters wide is installed for locations where the road has a curvature with a radius of up to 10 meters.

The climatic operating conditions are taken into consideration during the production of curb stones to ensure that they fulfill their intended functions and operate for the full normative period. This indicator suggests that the length of a single product and the depth of soil immersion should be considered. It is necessary for curbs to endure below-freezing temperatures and icing without breaking in the mass.

Manufacturers add unique additives to the working mass of artificial curbstone to improve its strength, resistance to temperature changes, and water permeability. The product’s overall strength is increased by reinforcing long curbs longer than three meters.

Concrete curbs can be used in the following areas, according to the basic GOST:

  1. BR100*30*15 – urban, intra-quarter and highway roads for separation from the sidewalk;
  2. BR100*30*18 – urban, intra-quarter and highway roads for separation from stops and electric transport;
  3. BR300*45*18 – border of the road with a high embankment over 2 m;
  4. BR300*60*20 – border of the road and sidewalks in tunnels and on ramps 2 m;
  5. BL300*32*68 — creation of safety strips;
  6. BK100*30*18.5/BK100*30*18.15 — design of radial sections.

Main

When building a highway with heavy traffic, main road stone is used outside of the city limits and less frequently within. It can range in length from one to six meters, but products longer than three meters must comply with the standard and be reinforced. These stones range in width from 180 mm to 600 mm and in height from 300 to 600 mm. Their starting weight is between 120 and 600 kg.

In addition to their larger size, these modifications cost significantly more than a standard road curb because of their enhanced strength and resistance to frost. One of these stones typically costs 500 rubles per meter squared for concrete, 700 rubles per meter squared for reinforced concrete, and 1800 rubles per meter squared for granite curbs.

Benefits of a curb on a main road:

  • wide range of sizes and shapes;
  • high grade for concrete M 500;
  • high strength characteristics B 30 and higher for granite products;
  • high frost resistance F 200 for concrete and reinforced concrete and F 1000 for granite;
  • can have a different color;
  • high moisture resistance;
  • easily laid and served;
  • The service life is from 20 years for concrete, from 25 years – for the fourth rate and over 30 years – for granite.

The drawbacks of this stone include its high cost and weight, which necessitates the use of lifting equipment when constructing and installing roads.

For the usual roadway

90% of all installed borders in the city and suburban line are of this type, which is a modification of the fence BP100*30815 and BK100*30*18.15. Typically, these borders have a rough surface and are gray in color.

Vibration pressing yields borders made of concrete that are colored differently. On the front side of a stone like this, a unique waterline is applied specifically to show the highest amount of floodwater and atmospheric precipitation.

Regular road border advantages:

  • wide range of colors;
  • high grade for concrete M 400;
  • good strength characteristics B 22 and higher for granite;
  • high frost resistance F 200 for concrete and F 1000 for granite;
  • high moisture resistance;
  • easy to install and maintain;
  • low cost;
  • high service life of 20 years for concrete and over 30 years for granite.

Users report that these concrete products have comparatively lower strength and a shorter service life than granite curbs.

Gray concrete road curbs (BR100*30*15 and BK100*30*18.15) cost 300 rubles per meter per unit; colored curbs cost 400 rubles per unit, and granite curbs cost 1400 rubles per unit.

For hazardous areas

In order to ensure the safe operation of the road network, it is necessary to install curb structures on dangerous road segments. These structures are designed to prevent cars from veering off the road, entering oncoming lanes, or passing through tunnels.

The curbstones ought to possess a robust and dependable design that is impervious to harm, even in the event of an accident. It is imperative that these components are interchangeable to enable prompt replacement. Among these curbstone alterations are:

  • BR300*45*18 for 2-meter embankment;
  • BR300*60*20 — for tunnels and 2-meter ramps;
  • BL300*32*68 — for safety strips;
  • granite curbs 300*60*20.

Benefits of curbs for portions of roads that are dangerous:

  • high level of interchangeability;
  • high strength characteristics B above 30;
  • ability to withstand strong impacts;
  • high frost resistance F above 300;
  • low hygroscopicity below 6%;
  • long service life over 50 years;
  • easy installation;
  • easy maintenance.

The heavy weight and high cost per mile are two drawbacks of this curb modification.

Curb prices range from 2300 rubles for BR300*45*18, 3500 rubles for BR300*60*20, and 4200 rubles for BL300*32*68.

Parking type

In addition to parking, this curb modification is also used for parking. Because of their somewhat rounded profiles, cars can move around freely in cramped areas without worrying about running into anything.

The BV*100*300.15 and BV*100*300.18 brands of reinforced concrete curbs are included in this group and are able to withstand heavy mechanical loads.

A parking curb’s benefits include:

  • the design allows vehicles to maneuver on the site;
  • high strength;
  • easy installation and repair, ensured by the interchangeability of elements;
  • low cost;
  • high moisture resistance and frost resistance.

The products’ increased weight is one drawback. The price of a BV*100*300.15 concrete stone starts at 420 rubles per square meter, while a BV*100*300*18 costs 490 rubles.

By material

Curbstone for roads is primarily made of:

  1. Operation for more than 30 years, resistance to mechanical and atmospheric influences, high moisture resistance and frost resistance. Disadvantages – high cost, weight and the need to use lifting equipment for installation. Installation object — highways.
  2. Vibro-pressed concrete stones. Advantages: versatility for all types of road surfaces, low cost, ease of installation, durability, water resistance and frost resistance. Disadvantages: service life of up to 20 years and impossibility of producing stones longer than 1 m. Application area — urban and highways.
  3. Granite. Advantages: the highest production characteristics, long service life of over 30 years, maximum level of resistance to abrasion, the highest frost resistance and resistance to any temperature changes. Disadvantages — high price and weight, due to which it is necessary to involve lifting equipment for installation.

Granite curbs offer the greatest benefits when it comes to indicators:

  • water absorption, up to 0.5% versus 6% for concrete stones;
  • compressive strength of 80 MPa versus 40 MPa for concrete stones;
  • reduction in strength when saturated with water, up to 30%;
  • frost resistance, cycles over 1000, against 200-300 cycles for concrete products;
  • salt resistance, no more than 5%;
  • abrasion no more than 0.5 g/cm;

The cost of a granite curb is determined by the material’s quality; grade P-1 requires a minimum indicator of 1400 rubles. every one millimeter.

By design

This indicator classifies road curbs into the following categories:

  • standard reinforced and unreinforced concrete with an edge radius of R30, length from 1 m;
  • straight with one extension for areas with eroding soil, R30, length 3 m;
  • straight with several intermittent extensions, R30, length 3 and 6 m;
  • straight with drainage, length 3 and 6 m, width from 680 to 1180 mm, convex R30 and concave R 15;
  • entry, 1 m long, 150 to 180 mm wide, 100 mm bevel;
  • curved, 1 m long, 180 to 210 mm wide, 30 mm bevel on both sides, R from 5000 to for BK5 to 15000 for BK15.

How to choose correctly?

Urban planning laws state that all road surfaces, including main, city, and intra-quarter surfaces, as well as their components, must be installed in accordance with the project, during which the kind of border to be used is chosen.

Considerations that go into selecting curbstone include:

  • climatic characteristics of the development area;
  • soil characteristics;
  • geology;
  • standard vehicle load;
  • road network dimensions;
  • curbstone dimensions;
  • section profile;
  • curbstone material;
  • durability for city roads of at least 20 years, for highways – over 30 years;
  • road bends.

To ensure longevity and durability, building a concrete road requires meticulous planning, exact execution, and the use of premium materials. Because of their strength and resilience to severe weather and traffic, concrete roads are highly prized. The main procedures for building a concrete road—site preparation, pouring, curing, and finishing—will be discussed in this article. We will also go over the advantages of concrete roads over alternative kinds, giving you an understanding of why many contemporary infrastructures choose them.

Installation of the curb

Curbs on roads are put in both mechanically and manually. In the first scenario, a team of two or more workers could complete the task of laying concrete stones up to a height of one meter.

Loading apparatus is used during the installation of curbstones from all other brands. The contractor needs to finish the following primary steps in order to do this:

  1. Mark the route using pegs and a rope stretched along the line of installation of the curbstone.
  2. Dig a trench, larger than the width and height of the stone, to the level of the bedding cushion.
  3. Compact the bottom of the trench, lay a layer of sand and repeat the compaction process.
  4. Prepare the assembly mortar – cement / sand / crushed stone / water, observing the proportion of 1/2.5/2/2.
  5. Lay the working mixture.
  6. Install the curbstone, observing the horizontal.

This article has more information about putting up road barriers.

Production

In general, unreinforced concrete curbs obtained through vibration pressing or casting are used for city roads, while reinforced concrete curbstones produced by reinforced concrete plants and granite curbs made from raw materials obtained from a quarry are used for highways.

Vibration pressing is the most widely used technique for getting city road curbs; it can be broken down into smaller industries and goes through the following main stages:

  1. Preparation of concrete mix M400-500 and B22-30.
  2. Dyes, additives for frost resistance and plasticity are added according to the technology.
  3. Pour the working mass into molds.
  4. Start the vibration pressing process.
  5. Send the products to dry.
  6. Remove the curbstones from the mold.

Curbs longer than one meter are also fitted with mounting loops to make installation easier during loading and unloading operations.

Complete production details can be found here.

Cost of products and what it depends on?

The price of the product plus the cost of installation work make up the entire cost of installing road curbs. The first component is determined by the product’s dimensions, weight, form, materials, and manufacturing process.

Average costs for curbstones made of different materials for cities and highways:

  • city, concrete, 100*30*15,430 rubles.;
  • city, reinforced concrete, 100*30*18,520 rubles.;
  • city, reinforced concrete, high, 100*60*20,700 rubles.;
  • main line, reinforced concrete, 300*30*15, 1260 rub.;
  • main, reinforced, reinforced concrete, 300 * 30 * 18, 1530 rubles.;
  • main, reinforced concrete, reinforced, high, 300*45*18, 2340 RUR.;
  • GP1, granite, sawn, section 150×300 mm, Mansurovsky, 2380 rub. for 1 m.P.;
  • GP1 Revival, grey, 2520 RUR.;
  • GP1 Kamennaya Gorka, grey, 2590 RUR.;
  • GP1 Dymovskoye (Baltiysky), grey, 2900 RUR.;
  • GP1 Silver, grey, 2800 RUR.;
  • GP1 Gabbro, black, 3000 rub.;
  • GP1 Yuzhno-Sultaevskoe, pink, 2900 rub.

The quantity of stone to be laid, the construction site’s transportation interchange, and the type of curbs all affect how much installation work will cost.

The following cost elements are used to calculate average installation prices per 1 m.p.:

  • excavation, installation of beacons, 350 rub.;
  • laying a border 1 meter long, 450 rubles.;
  • installation of conventional gutters, 230 rubles.;
  • installation of deep gutters, 350 rub.

Read the entire pricing article here.

Road construction and upkeep are difficult processes that call for meticulous planning, high-quality supplies, and expert labor. A good road starts with its base, which is usually composed of concrete. This material gives the road the strength and durability it needs to endure heavy traffic and inclement weather. Both urban and rural areas benefit from safe and effective transportation, which is ensured by well-built roads.

Choosing the appropriate type of concrete is one of the most important aspects of building a road. The best concrete mix is determined in large part by factors like traffic volume, climate, and the particular needs of the road. Concrete technology advancements have produced more durable and economical solutions, enabling the construction of longer-lasting roads requiring less upkeep.

To prolong the lifespan of roads and keep them in good condition, regular maintenance is necessary. This include routine resurfacing, appropriate drainage management, and prompt patching of cracks and potholes. Municipalities can avoid expensive overhauls and maintain safe and functional roads for all users by funding routine maintenance.

All things considered, a community’s infrastructure depends heavily on the building and maintenance of its roads. They promote economic growth, trade facilitation, and human connection. We can anticipate more sustainable and efficient roads in the future thanks to developments in concrete technology and a dedication to quality.

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Andrey Ivanov

Experienced civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Specializing in the construction of industrial and civil facilities. Author of many publications in professional journals.

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