Surface covering and associated joint material

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface covering (1) having a top surface (1a), which can be walked upon and / or driven upon, comprising multiple concrete molded blocks (3, 3', 3") laid in combination on a bedding layer (2), wherein adjacent molded blocks (3, 3', 3") form joints (4, 4') which are filled with at least a first joint material (5) and form a drainage path (W) for diverting precipitation water from the top surface (1a) of the surface covering (1) into the bedding layer (2), wherein at least the first joint material (5) forms a filter layer for removing pollutants from the precipitation water. The first joint material (5) consists of a mixture of a sand-like portion and a natural molecular sieve, the proportion by volume of the natural molecular sieve being between 4% and 50%. The invention also relates to an associated joint material.

Description

[0001] Surface covering and associated jointing material

[0002] The invention relates to a surface covering and an associated jointing material according to the preamble of claims 1 and 25.

[0003] Particularly in urban areas, large areas of undeveloped ground surfaces are designed as walkable and / or drivable traffic areas such as streets, paths, squares or parking lots and are provided with surface coverings for this purpose.

[0004] To create such surface coverings, individual stones, especially shaped concrete blocks or concrete pavers, are laid in a bonded pattern. These surfaces are often constructed by paving, whereby concrete blocks or corresponding shaped concrete blocks are laid bonded to a bedding layer embedded in the subsoil. Joints are formed between the adjacent concrete blocks or shaped blocks, especially concrete pavers, which are filled with suitable jointing materials, usually sand-like or gravel-like. To create uniformly wide joints, many shaped concrete blocks have spacers molded into the lower part of some of the blocks' sides. Such surface coverings are well known in the prior art.

[0005] It is also known to use multi-layered concrete paving stones or concrete blocks for creating such surface coverings. These multi-layered concrete paving stones typically have a facing concrete layer and at least one subsequent concrete layer, preferably a core concrete layer. The facing concrete layer is generally made of dense concrete, thus forming a substantially water-impermeable layer on the surface of the stone. The surface of the facing concrete layer corresponds to the walkable or drivable top surface of the concrete block and thus to the visible surface of the paving when laid.

[0006] When using such multi-layered precast concrete blocks to create a surface covering with a largely impermeable facing concrete layer, rainwater infiltrating the surface of the covering occurs almost exclusively through the joints. To allow rainwater to pass through the joints, they are sufficiently wide and filled with a water-permeable jointing material of appropriate grain size. To increase water permeability, coarse-grained jointing material can be used, for example. However, this can impair the stabilizing function of the joint or the jointing material itself, potentially leading to damage to the paving. Coarse-grained jointing materials also have the disadvantage of providing virtually no retention of pollutants.

[0007] For filtering pollutants from liquid or gaseous media, the use of natural or artificial molecular sieves in the form of natural or artificial zeolites is well-established. These exhibit a high adsorption capacity, particularly for dissolved substances of a specific molecular size. By selecting a suitable molecular sieve, molecules of a particular size can be filtered out of, for example, rainwater.

[0008] EP 2 617 684 A1 discloses a surface covering and an associated jointing material in which the jointing material, filled into the joints of the surface covering, forms a filter layer for removing pollutants from stormwater runoff. For this purpose, the jointing material consists of a mixture of a sand-like component, a fine component, and an artificial molecular sieve, wherein the volume fraction of the artificial molecular sieve, relative to the total volume of the mixture, is between 2% and 10%. The artificial molecular sieve removes pollutants from the joint or the jointing material incorporated therein, although this also weakens the stabilizing function of the joint. A disadvantage is that an artificial molecular sieve is an industrially manufactured product that is spherical and has a lower bulk density and compressive strength compared to the sand-like component.To ensure sufficient joint stability for the required load-bearing capacity of the surface covering, it is therefore necessary to add a fine component to the jointing material in addition to the sand-like portion. Due to the low bulk density of the artificial molecular sieve used, segregation of the jointing material can occur during transport, which is detrimental. Furthermore, the use of industrially produced artificial molecular sieves is neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. Because of its spherical shape, the natural molecular sieve stands out visually from the other components of the jointing material and appears as a foreign element, thus negatively impacting the uniformity of the joint appearance.Furthermore, multi-layered concrete blocks are known which, due to their structure and the properties of the individual layers, and in particular the properties of the concrete used to produce the individual layers, are designed to exhibit a specific or desired water permeability and / or a specific or desired water storage capacity. Such blocks, for example, have a core layer of open-pore concrete beneath a dense facing layer, designed to absorb and transport water. The rainwater then flows downwards through the joints and the open-pore core layer towards the bedding layer, thus impacting the bedding layer over a relatively flat area, which reduces the risk of joint blockage.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a surface covering with a jointing material that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, whose jointing material is environmentally friendly and sustainable, and which enables improved absorption of pollutants from rainwater. This object is achieved according to the invention by a surface covering according to claim 1 and by a jointing material according to claim 25. Further advantageous aspects, details, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0010] The surface covering according to the invention, with a walkable and / or drivable surface, comprises a plurality of shaped concrete blocks laid in a bonded arrangement on a bedding layer. Adjacent shaped blocks form joints which are filled with at least one jointing material and constitute a drainage path for rainwater from the surface of the surface covering into the bedding layer. The first jointing material forms a filter layer for removing pollutants from the rainwater. The essential aspect of the surface covering according to the invention is that at least the first jointing material consists of a mixture of a sand-like component and a natural molecular sieve, the volume fraction of which is between 4% and 50%.According to advantageous embodiments, the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve can be between 5% and 23%, or between 12% and 25%, or between 20% and 35%, or between 30% and 50%, depending on the material used as the sand-like component, the joint width, the joint volume, the joint area relative to the total surface area of ​​the paving, and / or the quantity of the first jointing material introduced into the joint. The natural molecular sieve is a natural product and therefore both environmentally friendly and sustainable. According to the invention, the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is selected such that the added proportion of the natural molecular sieve does not impair the stabilizing function of the joint, thus eliminating the need for the addition of a fine component compared to the prior art. The first jointing material therefore essentially contains no fine components, i.e., it is essentially free of fine components.The natural molecular sieve is produced essentially without fine particles. It preferably has a compressive strength in the range of 30 to 35 MPa, with a Mosch hardness of between 1 and 3, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the natural molecular sieve has a bulk density or specific mass of 2000 kg / m³. 3 up to 2500 kg / m² 3 and / or a bulk density or volumetric weight of 1600 kg / m³ 3 up to 1800kg / m 3 This also prevents the first jointing material from separating during transport.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the natural molecular sieve is a granular material with a grain shape that deviates from a spherical shape. The grain shape of the natural molecular sieve is thus particularly advantageously matched to the material composition of the sand-like component, i.e., it corresponds approximately to the grain shape of the sand-like aggregate used as the sand-like component, in order to ensure optimal interlocking of the materials present in the first jointing material. For example, the grain size distribution of the natural molecular sieve is particularly preferably adapted to the grain size distribution of the sand-like component.

[0012] A natural molecular sieve, as defined in the invention, refers to natural zeolites. Such natural zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals of natural origin, in particular hydrated aluminosilicates of alkaline metals and metallic alkaline earths, which, due to their sponge-like or microporous structure, are suitable for absorbing pollutants and storing water. These natural zeolites are therefore particularly well-suited for removing pollutants, especially heavy metals, from rainwater. Examples of natural zeolites that can be used include mineral components of clinoptilolite, mordenite, philippisite, chabazite, erionite, and / or analcime. For instance, natural zeolites such as clinoptilolite and chabazite are suitable for removing heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, and Fe from contaminated water.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the natural molecular sieve has a pore size or pore diameter or pore width of 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm or 0.5 nm and / or a porosity of 20% to 40%, preferably between 25% and 30%. Particularly with a pore width of 0.4 nm and a porosity of 25% to 30%, a particularly effective removal of pollutants, especially heavy metals, from rainwater could be advantageously achieved.

[0014] Preferably, the sand-like component has a grain size between 0.01 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, wherein the sand-like component is particularly preferably made from a hard rock material such as granite, basalt, greywacke, diabase, dolomite, quartz rock, or similar materials. It is preferably produced by crushing a corresponding block-shaped material into granular form.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the surface covering comprises precast concrete blocks with a multi-layered structure. In one embodiment, the multi-layered precast concrete blocks have at least one facing concrete layer and at least one adjoining core concrete layer. Preferably, the facing concrete layer is made of a dense concrete and the core concrete layer of an open-pore concrete. In another embodiment, the multi-layered precast concrete block can have at least one capillary concrete layer forming the underside of the block. The capillary concrete layer is particularly preferably designed to absorb and transport water from the bedding layer into the open-pore core concrete layer and / or from the open-pore core concrete layer into the bedding layer. The three-layer precast concrete block, or...Concrete paving stones thus allow for the regulation of moisture or water absorbed in the porous core concrete layer. On the one hand, excess water can be drained away via the capillary concrete layer into the bedding layer. On the other hand, in times of insufficient rainfall, moisture or water can be drawn from the bedding layer or the subsoil through the capillary concrete layer and supplied to the porous core concrete layer via capillary action. This ensures a cooling effect in urban areas, even during prolonged dry periods, through the evaporation of moisture or water from the porous core concrete layer into the surrounding air.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the multi-layered concrete blocks can have at least one ceramic layer and at least one adjoining core concrete layer, wherein the ceramic layer is connected to the core concrete layer via at least one bonding layer. Advantageously, the ceramic layer can be formed by a ceramic plate which preferably completely covers the top surface of the concrete block.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joints are at least partially or substantially completely filled with the first jointing material. The joints have at least an upper and a lower joint section, the upper joint section extending from the surface along the infiltration path towards the bedding layer. In one embodiment, both the upper and lower joint sections are filled with the first jointing material, in which case the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is selected in the region of the lower end of the specified fraction range.

[0018] In an alternative design variant, the upper joint sections are filled with the first jointing material containing a natural molecular sieve, while the lower joint sections are filled with a second jointing material essentially without a molecular sieve. This reduces the consumption of the more expensive first jointing material with a natural molecular sieve, as the lower joint section is filled with a conventional, cost-effective jointing material, which also ensures the stabilizing function of the joint. Furthermore, this simplifies the replacement of the first jointing material with the natural molecular sieve, as only a portion of the total jointing material needs to be removed and replaced. This also offers logistical advantages, since the second jointing material can be produced on-site, i.e.,Production can take place in the immediate vicinity of the construction site, and only the additional first jointing material containing a natural molecular sieve, in a smaller quantity or volume, needs to be transported to a construction site located further away from the production site. This saves on transport costs. The joints preferably have a width between 3 mm and 10 mm and a depth between 4 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 6 cm and 12 cm, with the upper joint section preferably extending over 5% to 40%, preferably between 10% and 20%, of the joint depth. It is particularly advantageous if only approximately one-third of the joint is filled with the first jointing material containing a natural molecular sieve, in which case the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is selected at the upper end of the specified range to provide sufficient filtration.

[0019] Furthermore, the first jointing material can advantageously contain a proportion of crushed concrete sand, with the volume fraction of the crushed concrete sand being, for example, between 2% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 15%. The crushed concrete sand is obtained, for example, from recycled concrete. The second jointing material can also contain at least a proportion of crushed concrete sand and / or a hard rock material. A mixture of crushed concrete sand and a hard rock material is also possible. This allows for the particularly sustainable reuse of recycled concrete in the first and / or second jointing material.

[0020] The invention also relates to a jointing material for grouting a surface covering comprising a plurality of concrete paving stones laid in conjunction with joints to form a filter layer for removing pollutants from rainwater, wherein the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 4% and 50%. According to advantageous embodiments of the jointing material, the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve can be between 5% and 23%, or between 12% and 25%, or between 20% and 35%, or between 30% and 50%, depending on the material used as a sand-like component, the joint width, and / or the quantity of jointing material introduced into the joint.If, for example, only a section of the joint is filled with the jointing material according to the invention, whereas the remaining joint section is filled with another jointing material without a molecular sieve, it is advantageous, for example, to select the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve between 20% and 35% or between 30% and 50% in order to achieve a comparable filtering effect.

[0021] The natural molecular sieve, for example, has a particle size of 1.5 mm to 3 mm. The pore size, pore diameter, or pore width of the natural molecular sieve is, for example, 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm, or 0.5 nm, and / or the natural molecular sieve has a porosity of 20 to 40%, preferably between 25 and 30%.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the jointing material, the natural molecular sieve is a natural zeolite suitable for removing pollutants, especially heavy metals, from rainwater. The natural zeolite is an aluminosilicate mineral of natural origin, containing at least mineral components of clinoptilolite, mordenite, philippisite, chabazite, erionite, and / or analcime. Preferably, the natural zeolite consists primarily of clinoptilolite with small amounts of cristobalite, mica, and / or plagioglass.

[0023] According to another variant of the jointing material, the grain sizes of the sand-like component are between 0.5mm and 3mm, the sand-like component being made from a hard rock material such as granite, basalt, greywacke, diabase, dolomite, quartz rock or similar materials.

[0024] According to a further development of the jointing material according to the invention, it comprises an additional proportion of crushed concrete sand, wherein the volume fraction of the crushed concrete sand is, for example, between 2% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 15%. Crushed concrete sand is particularly advantageous for absorbing heavy metals such as copper and zinc from rainwater, thereby achieving improved absorption of pollutants from the rainwater.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show...

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified and schematic section through a section of a surface covering according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a schematic section through a joint of the surface covering according to the invention as shown in Figure 1, filled with a first jointing material.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a schematic section through a joint of the surface covering according to the invention filled with a first and second jointing material according to Figure 1 and Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of a three-layer molded concrete block.

[0029] Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or similarly functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figure are shown in the individual figures.

[0030] Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a highly simplified schematic section through a surface covering 1 according to the invention with a walkable and / or drivable surface 1a, which comprises a plurality of shaped concrete blocks 3, 3', 3" laid in bond on a bedding layer 2. The surface covering 1 is produced by paving and the shaped concrete blocks 3, 3', 3" preferably have a multi-layered structure.

[0031] In the present definition, a concrete form 3, 3', 3" (which can also be referred to as a concrete slab, paving stone, or concrete paving stone) is understood to be essentially identical concrete elements suitable for creating a surface covering 1 by paving. Preferably, the concrete form 3, 3', 3" is a concrete paving stone. Depending on the chosen laying pattern, the form 3, 3', 3" are laid in a bonded arrangement, preferably interlocking, and flush with each other, resulting in a surface covering 1 with a substantially flat surface α.

[0032] Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a first, second, and third concrete paving stone 3, 3', 3" (in particular, concrete paving stones) laid side by side on the bedding layer 2, with the adjacent paving stones 3, 3', 3" forming joints 4, 4'. In the present embodiment, the first and second paving stones 3, 3' enclose a first joint 4, and the second and third paving stones 3', 3" enclose a second joint 4', which have approximately the same joint width. The joints 4, 4' extend from the surface 1a of the paving 1 towards the bedding layer 2, with the joint width preferably being between 4 mm and 10 mm. The joints have, for example, a joint depth of between 6 cm and 12 cm, the joint depth being essentially determined by the height H of the paving stones 3, 3', 3" used to create the paving 1.The concrete formwork blocks 3, 3', 3" are preferably multi-layered and have at least one facing concrete layer 3a forming the surface 1a and an adjoining core concrete layer 3b, wherein the facing concrete layer 3a is preferably made of a dense concrete and is therefore essentially impermeable to water. Due to its physical properties, the dense facing concrete layer 3a is not designed to absorb and transport rainwater; rather, it prevents water transport. If rainwater now strikes the surface 2a of the paving 1, the dense facing concrete layer 3a prevents the rainwater from penetrating it, i.e., the rainwater infiltrates exclusively through the joints 4, 4' into the bedding layer 2.Instead of the facing concrete layer 3a, a ceramic layer can also be provided, which is preferably formed by a ceramic plate that is connected to the adjoining core concrete layer 3b by means of a connecting layer.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the shaped stones 3, 3', 3” are cuboid in shape and have a top surface 3.1, a bottom surface 3.2 and several circumferential sides 3.3, 3.4. The surface 1a of the covering 1 is formed by the top surfaces 3.1 of the interlocking shaped stones 3, 3', 3”, with the shaped stones 3, 3', 3” resting on the bedding layer 2 with their respective bottom surfaces.

[0034] After laying the shaped stones 3, 3', 3", at least one layer of jointing material 5 is swept dry into the joints 4, 4', and then the surface covering 1 is compacted and re-grouting is carried out. After a period of approximately 2-3 weeks, the joints 4, 4' are to be checked and, if necessary, re-grouting with additional jointing material 5.

[0035] According to the invention, the joints 4, 4' are filled with at least one first jointing material 5 and form a drainage path W for conveying rainwater from the surface 1a of the paving 1 into the bedding layer 2. In Figures 1 to 3, the drainage path W is indicated by black arrows. The at least one first jointing material 5 forms a filter layer for removing pollutants from the rainwater conveyed through the jointing material 5. The joints 4, 4' can be filled either completely (Figures 1 and 2) or only partially (Figure 3) with the first jointing material 5. According to the invention, the at least one first jointing material 5 consists of a mixture of a sand-like component and a natural molecular sieve, wherein the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 4% and 25%.The volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is particularly preferred to be between 4% and 50%, depending on the amount of the first jointing material 5 introduced into the joint 4, 4'.

[0036] Depending on the application, it has been shown that a volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve between 5% and 23% or between 12% and 25% or between 20% and 35% or between 30% and 50% provides particular technical advantages, depending on the joint width, the amount of the first jointing material 5 introduced into the joint and / or the material of the sand-like fraction.

[0037] The natural molecular sieve is a granular, fractured natural material with a grain shape that deviates from a spherical form. Thus, unlike industrially produced artificial molecular sieves, the natural molecular sieve has an irregular or fractured grain shape, which allows for a preferably uniform mixing with the sand-like component.

[0038] Figures 2 and 3 each show a schematic section through a joint 4, with Figure 2 showing, by way of example, a joint 4 completely filled with the first jointing material 5, whereas Figure 3 shows a joint 4 that is only partially filled with the first jointing material 5.

[0039] The joints 4, 4' can be divided into at least one upper and one lower joint section 4a, 4b, wherein the upper joint section 4a extends from the surface la along the infiltration path W towards the bedding layer 2. The lower joint section 4b adjoins the upper joint section 4a and preferably extends to the bedding layer 2.

[0040] The upper joint section 4a is always filled with the first jointing material 5 containing a natural molecular sieve, while the lower joint section 4b can be filled either with the first jointing material 5 or with at least one second jointing material 6 without a molecular sieve. For example, conventional jointing material without a molecular sieve can be used as the second jointing material 6. The second jointing material 6 can also contain at least some crushed concrete sand and / or a hard rock material. It is also conceivable that a first jointing material 5 with varying proportions of natural molecular sieve is used in the upper and lower joint sections 4a and 4b. The first jointing material 5 can also contain a proportion of crushed concrete sand, which can also absorb heavy metals such as copper or zinc from rainwater.

[0041] Preferably, the upper joint section 4a extends over 20% to 40% of the joint depth, i.e., approximately one-third of the joint depth is filled with, for example, the first jointing material 5, whereas a more cost-effective second jointing material 6 can also be used in the remaining lower joint section 4b. Preferably, the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is higher in the upper joint section 4a when the joints 4, 4' are only partially filled than when the joints 4, 4' are substantially completely filled with the first jointing material 5, in order to achieve a comparable cleaning effect of the rainwater. The volume fraction can be, for example, between 20% and 35% or between 30% and 50%.

[0042] Since the natural molecular sieve used becomes clogged over a period of several years, thereby reducing its absorption capacity, it may be necessary to replace the first jointing material 5 at regular intervals, at least in the joint section 4a above the surface 1 of the covering. This can be done more easily and effectively by filling the joints 4, 4' with the first jointing material 5 in sections, as almost all of the existing jointing material 5 can be removed from the joint 4, 4' and replaced with a new first jointing material 5.

[0043] The natural molecular sieve preferably has a particle size of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 3 mm, and / or a pore size or pore diameter or pore width of 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm, or 0.5 nm. The porosity is between 20% and 40%, preferably between 25% and 30%.

[0044] The natural molecular sieve according to the invention is particularly preferably a natural zeolite or a natural zeolite suitable for removing pollutants, especially heavy metals, from rainwater. Such natural zeolites contain at least some mineral components of clinoptilolite, mordenite, philippisite, chabazite, erionite and / or analcime.

[0045] The use of a natural zeolite, consisting primarily of clinoptilolite with small amounts of cristobalite, mica, and / or plagioclase, has proven particularly advantageous. For example, such a natural zeolite has the following mineralogical composition:

[0046] 84% clinotilolite

[0047] 8% Cirstobalite

[0048] 4% clay mica

[0049] 3-4% plagioclase

[0050] 0-1% rutile and / or quartz

[0051] This mineralogical composition of a natural zeolite has a porosity of 24% to 32%, an effective pore diameter of 0.4 nm, and a compressive strength of 33 MPa. The total ion exchange capacity of the natural zeolite is, for example, between 1.2 mol / kg and 1.5 mol / kg. Preferably, the bulk density or specific mass is between 2200 kg / m³. 3 up to 2500 kg / m² 3 and the bulk density or volumetric weight between 1600 kg / m³ 3 up to 1800kg / m 3 .

[0052] The sand-like component of the first jointing material 5, for example, is made from a hard rock material such as granite, basalt, greywacke, diabase, dolomite, quartz, or similar materials. The grain size distribution of the natural molecular sieve is adapted to the grain size distribution of the sand-like component made from the hard rock material.

[0053] The first jointing material 5 is mixed in a suitably equipped mixing plant in its dry state, wherein the sand-like material component is first filled into the mixer and subsequently the natural molecular sieve is mixed in at the volume fraction according to the invention. The mixing process takes several minutes and afterwards the first jointing material 5 is, for example, filled into bags, which are stored dry until further use.

[0054] In one embodiment of the invention, a three-layer concrete block 3, 3', 3" is used to produce the surface covering 1 according to the invention. Figure 4 shows an exemplary schematic side view of the longitudinal side of such a three-layer concrete block 3.

[0055] The molded block 3 is three-layered, meaning it comprises a molded block body with three successive layers of concrete made from concrete materials of different compositions and properties. The molded block 3 shown by way of example in Figure 4 has at least one flat top surface 3.1 and a substantially flat bottom surface 3.2 opposite it. The specific design of the longitudinal and transverse sides 3.3, 3.4 of the molded block 3 is not relevant to the invention; that is, the specific cross-sectional shape of the molded block 3 can therefore be chosen almost arbitrarily without departing from the inventive concept. The molded blocks 3, 3', 3" can, for example, have spacer elements 3.5 on their longitudinal and / or transverse sides, which ensure an approximately uniform joint width when the molded blocks 3, 3', 3"' are laid in a bonded arrangement.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the shaped brick is cuboid in shape and has two pairs of longitudinal and transverse sides 3.3, 3.4, each pair having two identical and opposing longitudinal or transverse faces. The top surface 3.1 and the bottom surface 3.2 are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0057] The concrete block 3 comprises, for example, at least one facing concrete layer 3a made of dense concrete, which forms the top surface 3.1. Adjoining the facing concrete layer 3a is a core concrete layer 3b made of open-pore concrete, followed by a capillary concrete layer 3c, also made of open-pore concrete. The capillary concrete layer 3c forms the bottom surface 3.2 of the block and is designed for direct support on the bedding layer 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the dense facing concrete layer 3a, the open-pore core concrete layer 3b, and the open-pore capillary concrete layer 3c each connect directly to one another.

[0058] The porous core concrete layer 3b is designed to absorb and store water, exhibiting increased porosity and permeability compared to the porous capillary concrete layer 3c.

[0059] The capillary concrete layer 2c is designed to absorb and transport water. The diameter of the pores, or their pore size, is selected such that capillary action draws water from the bedding layer 2 through the underside 3.2 via the capillary concrete layer 2c into the porous core concrete layer 3b, or vice versa. This means that water or moisture absorbed in the porous core concrete layer 3b can be drained away into the bedding layer 2 via the capillary concrete layer 2c. This allows the amount of water absorbed in the porous core concrete layer 3b to be regulated. For example, when the maximum storage capacity of the porous core concrete layer 3b is reached, excess water can be drained from the porous core concrete layer 3b into the bedding layer 2 via the capillary concrete layer 3c. Alternatively, if the maximum storage capacity has not yet been reached, excess water can be drained away.Storage capacity: additional water is drawn in via the capillary concrete layer 3c from the bedding layer 2 or the subsoil into the porous core concrete layer 3b.

[0060] To generate the suction effect of the capillary concrete layer 3c, it is made, for example, from a concrete material with a reduced flour content, in particular with a reduced flour content of the aggregate sieve curve compared to a continuous sieve curve, namely the flour content of the aggregate sieve curve of the concrete material is reduced by about 60% compared to a continuous sieve curve.

[0061] The open-pore core concrete layer 3b and the open-pore capillary concrete layer 3c have pores with a different pore size distribution, whereby the mean pore size of the pores in the open-pore capillary concrete layer 3c is smaller than the mean pore size of the pores in the open-pore core concrete layer 3b.

[0062] Preferably, the mean pore size of the pores in the open-pore capillary concrete layer 3c corresponds to at most 0.3 to 0.6 times, and in particular at most 0.4 to 0.5 times, the mean pore size of the pores in the open-pore core concrete layer 3b. The mean pore size of the pores in the capillary concrete layer 3c is at least 3 to 4 times the mean pore size of the pores in the dense facing concrete layer 3a, which in turn corresponds to at most 0.1 to 0.3 times, and in particular at most 0.2 times, the mean pore size of the pores in the open-pore core concrete layer 3b.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the facing concrete layer has a first layer thickness Da, the core concrete layer 3b a second layer thickness Db, and the capillary concrete layer 3c a third layer thickness Dc. For example, the third layer thickness Dc is between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm. With respect to the total height H of the formwork block 3, the third layer thickness Dc is thus between 5% and 10% of the total height H of the formwork block 3, preferably between 1% and 5% of the total height H. The formwork block 3 has a total height H which approximately corresponds to the sum of the layer thicknesses Da, Db, and Dc.

[0064] Reference symbol list

[0065] 1 Surface covering la surface

[0066] 2. Bedding layer

[0067] 3, 3', 3" Concrete block or concrete paving stone

[0068] 3a Precast concrete layer

[0069] 3b Core concrete layer

[0070] 3c Capillary concrete layer

[0071] 3.1 Top

[0072] 3.2 Underside

[0073] 3.3 Long side

[0074] 3.4 Cross side

[0075] 3.5 Spacer lugs

[0076] 4, 4' joints

[0077] 4a upper joint section

[0078] 4b lower joint section

[0079] 5 first jointing material

[0080] 6 second jointing material

[0081] The first layer thickness

[0082] DB second layer thickness

[0083] DC third layer thickness

[0084] H Height of the molded brick

[0085] W Infiltration route

Claims

Patent claims 1. Surface covering (1) with a walkable and / or drivable surface (1a) comprising a plurality of shaped concrete blocks (3, 3', 3") laid in bond on a bedding layer (2), wherein adjacent shaped concrete blocks (3, 3', 3") form joints (4, 4') which are filled with at least one first jointing material (5) and form a seepage path (W) for draining rainwater from the surface (1a) of the surface covering (1) into the bedding layer (2), wherein at least the first jointing material (5) forms a filter layer for removing pollutants from the rainwater, characterized in that at least the first jointing material (5) consists of a mixture of a sand-like component and a natural molecular sieve, wherein the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 4% and 50%.

2. Surface covering (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 5% and 23% or between 12% and 25% or between 20% and 35% or between 30% and 50%.

3. Surface covering (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is selected depending on the material used as the sand-like fraction, the joint width, the joint volume, the joint fraction in relation to the total area of ​​the surface covering and / or the quantity of the first jointing material introduced into the joint.

4. Surface covering (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve is a granularly broken, natural material which preferably has a granular shape deviating from the spherical shape.

5. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve has a grain size of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 3 mm.

6. Surface coating (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve has a pore size or pore diameter or pore width of 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm or 0.5 nm and / or has a porosity of 20% to 40%, preferably between 25% and 30%.

7. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve is a natural zeolite suitable for removing pollutants, in particular heavy metals, from rainwater.

8. Surface covering (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the natural zeolite is an aluminosilicate mineral of natural origin which has at least mineral components of clinoptilolite, mordenite, philippisite, chabazite, erionite and / or analcime.

9. Surface covering (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the natural zeolite consists essentially of clinoptilolite with small amounts of cristobalite, mica and / or plagioclase.

10. Surface covering (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the grain sizes of the sand-like component are between 0.01mm and 5mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 3mm.

11. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sand-like component is made from a hard rock material such as granite, basalt, greywacke, diabase, dolomite, quartz rock or similar materials.

12. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped blocks (3, 3', 3") are made of concrete in multiple layers.

13. Surface covering (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the shaped blocks (3, 3', 3") made of concrete have at least one facing concrete layer (3a) and at least one adjoining core concrete layer (3b).

14. Surface covering (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the facing concrete layer (3a) is made of a dense concrete and the core concrete layer (3b) is made of a porous concrete.

15. Surface covering (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the multi-layered shaped blocks (3, 3', 3") made of concrete have at least one capillary concrete layer (3c) forming the underside (3.2) of the shaped block (3, 3', 3").

16. Surface covering (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the capillary concrete layer (3c) is designed to absorb and transport water from the bedding layer (2) into the porous core concrete layer (3b) and / or from the porous core concrete layer (3b) into the bedding layer (2).

17. Surface covering (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the shaped blocks (3, 3', 3") made of concrete have at least one ceramic layer and at least one adjoining core concrete layer (3b), wherein the ceramic layer is connected to the core concrete layer via at least one connecting layer.

18. Surface covering (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the ceramic layer is formed by a ceramic plate which preferably completely covers the top surface (3.1) of the shaped block (3, 3', 3") made of concrete.

19. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joints (4, 4') are at least partially or substantially completely or completely filled with the first jointing material (5).

20. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joints (4, 4') have at least one upper and lower joint section (4a, 4b), wherein the upper joint section (4a) extends from the surface (1a) along the infiltration path (W) in the direction of the bedding layer (2) and that the upper joint sections (4a) are filled with the first jointing material (5) with a natural molecular sieve and the lower joint sections (4b) are filled with a second jointing material (6) substantially without a molecular sieve.

21. Surface covering (1) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the joints (4, 4') have a joint width between 3 mm and 10 mm and a joint depth between 4 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 6 cm and 12 cm, - 21 - wherein the upper joint section (4a) preferably extends over 5% to 40%, preferably between 10% and 20% of the joint depth.

22. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first jointing material (5) comprises a proportion of crushed concrete sand, wherein the volume fraction of the crushed concrete sand is, for example, between 2% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 15%.

23. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second jointing material (5) comprises at least a proportion of crushed concrete sand and / or a hard rock material or that the second jointing material (5) is made of a hard rock material.

24. Surface covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first jointing material (5) is produced essentially without fine particles.

25. Jointing material (5) for jointing a surface covering (1) comprising a plurality of shaped concrete blocks (3, 3', 3") laid in conjunction with joints (4, 4') to form a filter layer for removing pollutants from rainwater, characterized by a mixture of a sand-like component and a natural molecular sieve, wherein the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 4% and 50%.

26. Jointing material (5) according to claim 25, characterized in that the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is between 5% and 23% or between 12% and 25% or between 20% and 35% or between 30% and 50%.

27. Jointing material (5) according to claims 25 and 26, characterized in that the volume fraction of the natural molecular sieve is selected depending on the material used as the sand-like fraction, the joint width, the joint volume, the joint fraction in relation to the total area of ​​the surface covering and / or the quantity of the first jointing material introduced into the joint. - 22 - 28. Jointing material (5) according to claims 25 and 27, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve is a granularly fractured, natural material having a granular shape that deviates from the spherical shape.

29. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve has a grain size of 0.5mm to 5.0mm, preferably of 1.5mm to 3mm.

30. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve has a pore size or pore diameter or pore width of 0.3nm, 0.4nm or 0.5nm and / or a porosity of 20% to 40%, preferably between 25% and 30%.

31. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 30, characterized in that the natural molecular sieve is a natural zeolite suitable for removing pollutants, in particular heavy metals, from rainwater.

32. Jointing material (5) according to claim 31, characterized in that the natural zeolite is an aluminosilicate mineral of natural origin which has at least mineral components of clinoptilolite, mordenite, philippisite, chabazite, erionite and / or analcime.

33. Jointing material (5) according to claim 25 or 32, characterized in that the natural zeolite consists essentially of clinoptilolite with small amounts of cristobalite, mica and / or plagioclase.

34. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 33, characterized in that the grain sizes of the sand-like component are between 0.01mm and 5mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 3mm.

35. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 34, characterized in that the sand-like component is made from a hard rock material such as granite, basalt, greywacke, diabase, dolomite, quartz rock or similar materials. - 23 - 36. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 35, characterized by a proportion of crushed concrete sand, wherein the volume fraction of the crushed concrete sand is, for example, between 2% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 15%.

37. Jointing material (5) according to one of claims 25 to 36, characterized by a substantially fine-particle-free production.

Images