CPD Specifier May 2015 issue September 2015 | Page 55

Outdoor Engineering

Fit for purpose Permeable Grass
Solution

GROWING CONCERNS

The drainage and reinforcement qualities of any grass reinforcement
system are key factors in the growth of green urban landscapes and eco
environments. UK firm Grass Concrete Ltd, of Wakefield has 40 years of
grass reinforcement installations across the UK and worldwide.

It’s a growing concern that many clients contact Grass Concrete following
failed areas of grassed cellular plastic pavers, looking to replace with the
GRASSCRETE system.

The company’s Grasscrete product has become the generic reference for
permeable grass paving especially for major flood alleviation schemes
installations around the UK in the wake of recent floods.

In most instances failure stems from either an inability to accept load
or an issue of waterlogging within some cases both problems being
evident. As part of Grass Concrete’s commitment to ‘Fit for Purpose’ they
do not recommend the use of their plastic pavers Grassroad system in
regularly trafficked applications. A relatively thin layer plastic paver / grass
matrix cannot be expected to provide the same sustainable load bearing
capability as a reinforced concrete surface.

For commercial car parking and housing developments in vulnerable
flood risk areas Grasscrete is widely utilised for both its strong structural
qualities up to 40-tonne traffic weight and natural SUDS qualities including
water attenuation at a rate of 8m/second - reducing the peak demand on
main sewer infrastructure while gaining a landscaped amenity.

Also worrying is the trend towards specification of plastic pavers with
gravel infill for traffic use. With no grass to provide tensile anchorage,
vibration across the surface will naturally cause a sieving effect that can
lead to loss of gravel through into the base below. Under traffic use the
gravel can also rotate with an abrasive effect on the side walls of the
plastic grids, in each case the likely outcome is a breakup of the structure.

A cast on-site concrete system, Grasscrete offers excellent grass
coverage. The strong ground reinforcement qualities of Grasscrete are
essential where regular or heavy traffic is expected. During rainfall, deep
soil pockets provide sufficient water attenuation to reduce peak demand
on the main sewer infrastructure.

It’s not just at ground level that Grass Concrete create green spaces, their
Beto Concept range offer landscaped retaining walls that work with the
environment and mitigate the negative side effects.

Where there is a requirement for green landscaped environments
Grasscrete offers an added advantage of traffic weight loads up to
40-tonnes, critical for busy trafficked areas, car parks, overspill or
emergency access vehicles.

GRASS CONCRETE LTD

Talk to the experts of 40 years to find out more.

TEL: [phone]

WWW.GRASSCRETE.COM

55

Page 55.indd 1

26/08/2015 12:27:19