Esplanade, Sub-base, and Pavement Construction Guidelines
Esplanade Construction
Definition
The esplanade is the finished surface of an embankment or excavation. It supports the sub-base, base, and pavement layers.
Geotechnical Characteristics (50cm Depth)
- Particle size analysis
- Atterberg limits
- CBR
- Water table status
Level Terraces
Packed in 20-25cm layers:
- 90% AM (coherent soil)
- 95% PM (non-coherent soil)
In the last 50cm of the bank:
- 95% AM
- 100% PM humidity
Moisture Content for PM Esplanade
Start work when soil humidity (h) in the top 50cm is:
h < H + 2
Where H = optimum moisture from testing.
Drainage
Maintain esplanade at least 60cm above the highest anticipated water table. Establish drainage if necessary.
Sub-Base and Base Construction
Sub-Base
The granular sub-base is the first firm layer placed on the esplanade, immediately following utility and crossing construction. Install before curbs.
Base
Paving follows infrastructure and sub-base acceptance. It includes:
- Concrete base for sidewalks
- Road base layer
- Concrete pavement layers
After infrastructure acceptance, place sidewalk elements and the final pavement layer. The concrete base supports tiles and protects services.
Types of Bases
- Graded aggregate
- Gravel-cement
Gravel-cement bases are a mix of aggregate, cement, and water, compacted to form the base layer.
Driveway Pavement
Concrete Pavements
Concrete slabs, 15cm or less thick, built in-situ with construction joints.
Concrete Pavers
Prefabricated concrete pieces in various shapes, sizes, thicknesses, colors, and layouts, placed on a pavement layer.
Flexible Pavement
Consists of a middle layer and wearing course, using hot or cold bitumen. Hot bitumen is suitable for all traffic, while cold bitumen is for low to medium traffic.
Rigid Pavement
Mass concrete, or reinforced concrete in justified cases. Joint types include: concreting joints, longitudinal twist joints, and transverse contraction/expansion joints.
Pedestrian Paving
Concrete Pavers
Typically used for sidewalks, boardwalks, and mixed-traffic areas.
Other Pavement Types
- Concrete pavements with asphalt joints
- Natural stone pavers
- Asphalt with silica finish
- Hydraulic sand tiles
Natural Stone Pavement
Must be homogeneous, fine-grained, compact, and free of defects.
Curbs and Gutters
Definitions
Curbs separate sidewalks/driveways from garden areas. They serve as a reference for utility installation and contain pavement layers.
Types of Curbs
- Regular curb
- Curb with gutter
- Traceable curb for fords
Gutters
Prefabricated concrete or stone elements that accompany curbs, guiding stormwater to drains.
Paving Materials
Continuous Artificial Layers
- Graded aggregate (natural or treated)
- Gravel (natural, cement, emulsion, or slag)
Watering
- Primer irrigation (hydrocarbon binder on granular layer)
- Adhesion irrigation (bitumen emulsion on treated layer)
Bituminous Materials
- Slurry for surface treatments (cold)
- Grout for surface treatments (hot)
- Hot asphalt mixtures
Concrete
- Vibrated lean concrete (for base layers)
- Reinforced concrete base (for pavements)
Discontinuous Pavement
- Tiles (stone, cement, asphalt)
- Slabs and pavers (concrete, stone)
- Pavers (concrete, stone)
- Miscellaneous (stoned, concrete mosaic, cobblestone)