Paving piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a paving piece comprising a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) joined to a plurality of traverse beams (2), wherein at least one first longitudinal beam (1) is in a first longitudinal position (51), and at least one second longitudinal beam (1) is in a second longitudinal position (52), longitudinally displaced with respect to the first longitudinal position (51), thus providing a permeable paving system in keeping with the needs of the environment, which improves the management of urban draining, such that run-off is retained and seeps away and rainwater is able to drain into the natural ground.

Description

[0001] PIECE OF PAVEMENT

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present patent application relates to a piece of non-steel reinforced concrete pavement comprising a plurality of longitudinal beams monolithically joined to a plurality of transverse beams, additionally incorporating notable innovations and advantages.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In natural environments, soil loss and erosion is one of the most significant problems affecting the balance of our ecosystem. It is estimated that 75 billion tons of arable soil are eroded each year worldwide. This equates to a financial loss of $400 billion. Additionally, there are other negative effects resulting from soil erosion. First and foremost, land degradation occurs, with the reduction or loss of biological productivity and water retention. Thus, at least 3.2 billion people are at risk of being negatively affected by this degradation, including malnutrition, forced migration, and the threat to global food security.On the other hand, it also causes an increase in carbon emissions into the atmosphere, as erosion causes the displacement of organic carbon contained in the soil and allows more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere, increasing the impact of climate change. Desertified soils also have no capacity to filter water, increasing the risk of flooding.

[0006] In urban environments, we also encounter the problem of soil waterproofing: urban design that fails to respect the maintenance of natural water cycles has led many cities to a situation where existing sanitation networks are inadequate for proper rainwater drainage.

[0007] There are non-structural, discontinuous, draining pavements on the market, as well as continuous pavements that do not allow for the maintenance of the ground's water and air cycle. First, we should mention the product called Pavicesped, which consists of a latticework formed by prefabricated pieces of gray, mass-formed concrete with a single-layer finish. Its cavities allow grass to grow and water to filter through for proper development. Substrate, fertile soil, and seeds are mixed inside the paving stone to encourage grass growth. It only withstands light vehicle traffic. Another well-known product is Llosa Filtra Green, which is composed of pieces that combine in lines about 5 cm wide, to encourage grass growth, with lines of about 8 cm of resistant pavement that guarantee maximum structural support.As grass growth establishes, bonding the pavement and sub-base together, it can effectively support vehicle loads and ensure the pavement maintains its durability.

[0008] In view of all the above, however, there is a clear need to develop a permeable pavement system that is even more in line with environmental needs, allowing for improved urban drainage management, retaining and infiltrating runoff and allowing rainwater to drain into the natural terrain.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a prefabricated ecological paving component. A biomimetic approach was adopted for its design, observing and learning from the regenerative solutions of natural living systems to arrive at a sustainable solution that emulates nature itself.

[0011] Looking at natural soil, we can see that it is efficient at regulating temperature and conserving water, thus nourishing biodiversity. Some of the functions that natural soil performs include carbon capture and air filtration, water storage and purification, sediment retention, pollution detoxification, biodiversity enhancement, nutrient cycling, increased soil fertility, and support for pollinators.

[0012] Taking this biomimetic approach into account, a dry-installed pavement piece is designed that can emulate nature's ecosystem services, such as air quality regulation, climate regulation, water regulation and sustainable drainage, erosion control, and damage mitigation in the event of torrential rains.

[0013] The design of the paving element was designed to be environmentally friendly, yet also competitive in the market. Therefore, the geometry of the elements was optimized through the use of the form factor concept and its modulation, with a view to mass production. This achieves cost and energy savings by reducing construction times and the equipment required for its execution. The goal was also to minimize material consumption and standardize production, thereby allowing for a reduction in total costs, leading to more accessible and affordable technologies for all social classes.

[0014] Regarding existing precast concrete pavements, it should be noted that they have in common with the pavement component of the present invention: they are draining and allow vegetation. However, they offer several advantages not found in other products currently on the market. For example, their structural capacity and large surface area allow them to distribute vehicle loads without differential settling, providing a better response to vehicle loads. Furthermore, they allow for dry laying, without the need for perimeter confinement. Specifically, the addition of a gravel base or edge confinement is not required to prevent differential settling of the pavement. Additionally, its bidirectional design, composed of longitudinal and transverse ribs, allows the pavement component to act as a prosthesis for the natural soil, so its response to vehicle traffic is less aggressive on the terrain.It should also be noted that the pieces are designed as elements that operate primarily under compression, requiring installation to ensure continuous support, but also a certain degree of flexural strength for proper operation. Since there is no need to prepare the ground with additional materials, the pavement can be removed without causing any changes to the natural soil. It should also be noted that the flexible nature of the system, weight restrictions, long life cycle, ease of assembly, and impact on efficient transportation are all factors that reduce the product's cost.

[0015] Regarding the industrial applications of the invention, one of the most notable would be the creation of paths in areas of high ecological value. Protection against soil erosion and soil compaction, as well as the possibility of dry laying with a low visual impact, make the application of these paving pieces of great interest in areas of high ecological value for the construction of paths with light vehicle traffic. It would also be applicable in urban environments, as an element that contributes to a sustainable urban drainage system. Its application in urban gardens and public spaces is an effective solution for reducing the negative impact of sealing cities, facilitating sustainable urban drainage planning. It should be noted that the paving piece has a high drainage capacity and requires practically no maintenance or repair.

[0016] As a result of the above, the paving element of the present invention is proposed for use in urban gardens and public spaces as an effective solution to reduce the negative impact of urban sealing, facilitating sustainable urban drainage planning. Its application in landscapes of high ecological value allows for minimal urbanization and the necessary accessibility to natural spaces while respecting the natural environment.

[0017] More specifically, the pavement piece comprises a plurality of longitudinal beams connected to a plurality of transverse beams, where at least a first longitudinal beam is in a first longitudinal position, and at least a second longitudinal beam is in a second longitudinal position, offset longitudinally with respect to the first longitudinal position. In this way, the ends of the different pavement pieces can be placed adjacent and intertwined, giving rise to a continuous pavement, which results, in terms of the construction sector, in a staggered arrangement of the pavement pieces so that a connection can be formed between them.

[0018] Preferably, a plurality of longitudinal beams are offset longitudinally relative to one another in a repeating sequence in the transverse direction. In this way, they function as interlocking structural elements, acting as prostheses to protect the ground from crushing by passing vehicles. As is typical of pavement, the members operate primarily under compression, and their installation must ensure that the members' support is continuous, yet also provides a certain degree of flexural strength to ensure linear load distribution on the ground.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of transverse beams have a lower height than the plurality of longitudinal beams, such that the transverse beams perform a mere joining function between the longitudinal beams, which are the ones that actually perform the role of pavement for the passage of people or vehicle traffic.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of longitudinal beams and / or the plurality of transverse beams have a trapezoidal section, such that they have a smaller base and a larger base, and can be placed in one way or another depending on the performance that is intended to be achieved with the piece of pavement.

[0021] Preferably, at least one trapezoidal section is arranged with the smaller base at the top and the larger base at the bottom, such that the support of the pavement piece on the ground is more solid and stable, while the smaller base at the top facilitates rainwater drainage. It should be noted that the plurality of longitudinal beams are separated from each other by a transverse distance, generating a plurality of longitudinal gaps, which allow the pavement piece to permeate the ground, as well as allow rainwater drainage, forming channels for this purpose.

[0022] More specifically, the longitudinal gap is at least half the width of the longitudinal beam, so that, while still being permeable to rainwater, it provides a sufficient support surface for people and road traffic.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the beams are made of mass concrete reinforced with fibers, which gives them good compressive strength properties, also having high flexural strength performance, offering overall good performance.

[0024] In more detail, the concrete used has a strength of at least 20 N / mm 2 , which results in good performance in terms of compression.

[0025] On the other hand, mass concrete comprises a dose of between 4 and 8 kg of fiber per m 3of concrete, which enables good flexural and tensile strength performance, especially the higher the proportion of fibers.

[0026] More specifically, the fibers are synthetic fibers or plastic fibers, which increase flexural strength while ensuring linear load distribution on the ground.

[0027] More specifically, the fibers are one of the groups: glass fiber, polyvinyl fiber, or polypropylene fiber, depending on the specific performance desired in terms of flexural, tensile, and compressive strength.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is the manufacturing process of a piece of paving, which includes the use of a metal formwork mould, in order to obtain a perfectly defined shape, repeatable in the successive pieces that are manufactured.

[0029] More specifically, the mold comprises two side walls and a bottom, and is configured to be removed from the form upon tipping, usually one day after the concrete is poured, to ensure proper hardening. Alternatively, the mold comprises two side walls and is configured to rest on a flat surface, such as a work table. Thus, once the concrete has been vibrated, the mold can be removed from the form to produce multiple pieces on the same day, thereby achieving greater production profitability.

[0030] The accompanying drawings show, by way of non-limiting example, a piece of paving constructed in accordance with the invention. Other features and advantages of said piece of paving, object of the present invention, will become apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1A - Perspective view of the pavement piece, according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 1 B - Perspective view of various interlocking pavement pieces, in accordance with the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 - Plan view of the pavement piece, according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3A - View of two longitudinal sections of the pavement piece, according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3B - View of two cross sections of the pavement piece, according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 - Perspective view of the mold for producing a piece of pavement, according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 - Detailed view of the mold for producing a piece of pavement, according to the present invention;

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0041] In Figure 1A a perspective view of the pavement piece can be seen, including at least one longitudinal beam (1) with one end (11) at each tip. Between the various longitudinal beams (1) that make up the pavement piece there is a longitudinal gap (4), and it can be seen that they are located, either in a first position (51) or in a second position (52), alternatively.

[0042] In figure 1 B you can see a perspective view of several intertwined pavement pieces, where the placement of the successive longitudinal beams (1) and the position of the ends (11) can be seen, either in a first position (51) or in a second position (52).

[0043] In figure 2 a plan view of the piece of pavement can be seen, again including at least one longitudinal beam (1) with one end (11) at each tip, being joined together by means of at least one transverse beam (2), and leaving a longitudinal gap (4) between each one, for the drainage effect. Similarly, it can be seen that there are first longitudinal beams (1) in a first position (51), and second longitudinal beams (1) in a second position (52), in an alternating manner. This configuration is what allows the interlacing between the successive pieces of pavement, to form a whole.

[0044] Figure 3A shows a view of two longitudinal sections of the pavement piece, specifically the longitudinal beam (1) from a first end (11) to a second end (11). The section on the right shows the position of a transverse beam (2).

[0045] Figure 3B shows a view of two cross sections of the pavement piece, with a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) joined together by means of a transverse beam (2). In this view, the trapezoidal section (3) can be seen with a smaller base (31) at the top and a larger base (32) at the bottom.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a mold (6) for producing a piece of pavement, including a side wall (61), and being configured to rest on a flat surface (7), for example a work table.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the mold (6) for producing a piece of pavement, including a side wall (61) and a bottom (62), so that it houses the concrete material during its setting time.

[0048] It should be noted at this point that the pavement component is preferably made of fiber-reinforced concrete. These pavement components are designed as structural elements that act as prosthetics to protect the ground from crushing by passing vehicles. As is typical of pavement, the components operate primarily under compression, ensuring continuous support during installation. They also have a certain degree of flexural strength, which guarantees linear load distribution on the ground, provided by the presence of plastic fibers.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the pavement piece, it has a total of ten longitudinal beams (1) and four transverse beams (2). The longitudinal beams (1) are separated from each other by a longitudinal gap (4) of a sufficient dimension so that, once the pavement is installed, it is filled with filtering material, which may be gravel or natural soil, in order to allow rainwater to permeate into the ground. At the ends (11), the longitudinal beams (1) are staggered so that the joint between the pavement pieces can be locked.

[0050] More particularly, as can be seen in Figures 1A and 2, the pavement piece comprises a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) connected to a plurality of transverse beams (2), where at least a first longitudinal beam (1) is in a first longitudinal position (51), and at least a second longitudinal beam (1) is in a second longitudinal position (52), displaced longitudinally with respect to the first longitudinal position (51). Thus, the end (11) cantilevered or counterbalanced with a dimension of up to 30 cm.

[0051] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1A and 2, a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) are longitudinally offset from one another in a repetitive sequence in the transverse direction. Preferably, the dimensions of the pavement piece are a width of 60 - 180 cm, and a length of 200 - 300 cm. The dimensions of the longitudinal beams (1) are a width of 5-10 cm, and a height of 6-12 cm. And the dimensions of the transverse beams (2) are a width of 8-20 cm, and a height of 4-12 cm, generating a transverse gap of 40-80 cm.

[0052] It should be noted that, as can be seen in Figure 3B, the plurality of transverse beams (2) have a lower height than the plurality of longitudinal beams (1). An exemplary embodiment of the pavement piece would be formed by a total of ten longitudinal beams (1), and four transverse beams (2), with external dimensions in plan of 1.17 m. wide, 2.37 m. long and 0.08 m. thick. Additionally, as can be seen in Figure 3B, the plurality of longitudinal beams (1) and / or the plurality of transverse beams (2) have a trapezoidal section (3).

[0053] More specifically, as seen in Figure 3B, at least one trapezoidal section (3) is arranged with the smaller base (31) above and the larger base (32) below.

[0054] Additionally, as seen in Figure 2, the plurality of longitudinal beams (1) are separated from each other by a transverse distance, generating a plurality of longitudinal gaps (4).

[0055] It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal gap (4) has a dimension of at least half the width of the longitudinal beam (1). In one embodiment, the longitudinal gap (4) has a dimension of between 3 and 8 cm.

[0056] According to another aspect of the invention, as seen in Figure 1A, the plurality of beams (1, 2) are made of mass concrete reinforced with fibers.

[0057] It is worth mentioning that, as can be seen in Figure 1 A, mass concrete is concrete with a strength of at least 20 N / mm 2 , that is, at least of the HRF-20 type.

[0058] On the other hand, as can be seen in Figure 1A, mass concrete comprises a dose of between 4 and 8 kg of fiber per m 3 of concrete. This dosage of kg of fiber per m 3 of concrete depends on the type of fiber and / or the resistance required.

[0059] Preferably, as seen in Figure 1A, the fibers are plastic fibers.

[0060] Optionally, as seen in Figure 1A, the fibers are any of the group of glass fiber, polyvinyl fiber or polypropylene fiber, and may be any of the types of Masterfiber 230, Masterifiber 246, Minisand and Masterfiber 248.

[0061] According to another aspect of the invention, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, the manufacturing process of a piece of pavement comprises the use of a metal formwork mold (6).

[0062] In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, the mould (6) comprises two side walls (61) and a bottom (62), and is configured to be removed from the mould upon overturning, about a day later, to allow time for its hardening. Note that the bottom (62) corresponds to the smaller base (31) of the trapezoidal section (3) of the beam.

[0063] In a second embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 4, the mould (6) comprises two side walls (61) and is configured to rest on a flat surface (7). Said mould (6) is called a side formwork mould and, once vibrated, it can be removed from the formwork on the flat surface (7), which can be a work table.

[0064] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the components used in the implementation of the paving piece, may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent, and do not deviate from the essence of the invention or the scope defined by the claims included below the following list.

[0065] List numerical references:

[0066] 1 longitudinal beam

[0067] 11 extreme

[0068] 2 crossbeam

[0069] 3 trapezoidal section

[0070] 31 minor base

[0071] 32 major base

[0072] 4 longitudinal gap

[0073] 51 first position

[0074] 52 second position

[0075] 6 mold

[0076] 61 side wall

[0077] 62 background

[0078] 7 flat surface

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Piece of pavement comprising a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) joined to a plurality of transverse beams (2), characterized in that at least a first longitudinal beam (1) is in a first longitudinal position (51), and at least a second longitudinal beam (1) is in a second longitudinal position (52), displaced longitudinally with respect to the first longitudinal position (51). 2.- Piece of pavement, according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of longitudinal beams (1) are longitudinally displaced relative to each other according to a repetitive sequence in the transverse direction. 3- Piece of pavement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of transverse beams (2) have a lower height than the plurality of longitudinal beams (1). 4.- Piece of pavement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of longitudinal beams (1) and / or the plurality of transverse beams (2) have a trapezoidal section (3). 5.- Piece of pavement, according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one trapezoidal section (3) is arranged with the smaller base (31) above and the larger base (32) below. 6.- Piece of pavement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of longitudinal beams (1) are separated from each other by a transverse distance, generating a plurality of longitudinal gaps (4). 7.- Piece of pavement, according to claim 6, characterized in that the longitudinal gap (4) is of a dimension of at least half the width of the longitudinal beam (1). 8.- Piece of pavement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of beams (1, 2) are made of mass concrete reinforced with fibers. 9.- Pavement piece, according to claim 8, characterized in that the mass concrete is concrete with a strength of at least 20 N / mm2. 10.- Paving piece, according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the mass concrete comprises a dose of between 4 and 8 kg of fiber per m3 of concrete. 11.- Piece of paving, according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the fibers are plastic fibers. 12.- Piece of flooring, according to claim 11, characterized in that the fibers are any of the group of fiberglass, polyvinyl fiber or polypropylene fiber. 13.- Manufacturing process of a piece of pavement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the use of a metal formwork mold (6). 14.- Manufacturing process of a piece of pavement, according to claim 13, characterized in that the mold (6) comprises two side walls (61) and a bottom (62), and is configured to remove the formwork when overturned. 15.- Manufacturing process of a piece of pavement, according to claim 13, characterized in that the mold (6) comprises two side walls (61), and is configured to rest on a flat surface (7).

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