DO BRICK; INTERLOCKING AND SEGMENTED PAVERS PASS THE TEST - (Whole Body Vibration)?

DO BRICK; INTERLOCKING AND SEGMENTED PAVERS PASS THE TEST - Mechanical vibration and Shock evaluation of human exposure to WBV (Whole Body Vibration)?

Should you dissect these tests / report, these may be your findings.

According to tests and studies done in 2002; 2003; and 2004 (Longitudinal assessment of vibrations during manual and power wheelchair driving over selected sidewalk surfaces) by the various Health and Engineering Departments associated with the Departments of Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh USA, it is noted that on the freshly laid test pads of various surfaces over those 3 significant years, These test pads were laid in a controlled environment with path 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; and 6 - laid next to each other and 7; 8; and 9 - laid next to each other with manicured lawn on both sides of these two groups (as listed below). Please note that the pavements 7; 8; and 9 were only laid in the third year (2004) for study.

PAVEMENT SAMPLES 

1)      poured concrete sidewalk with a brushed finish. (This was used as the control surface)!

2)     concrete interlocking pavement square edge no bevel

3)      concrete interlocking paver with a 2mm bevel laid square

4)     concrete interlocking paver with an 8mm bevel laid square

5)     clay brick paver with a 4mm bevel laid herringbone

6)       clay brick paver with no bevel laid herringbone

7)      concrete interlocking paver with a 6mm bevel laid square (laid in 2004)

8)     concrete interlocking paver with a 6mm bevel laid herringbone (laid in 2004)

9)       concrete interlocking paver with a 4mm bevel laid square ‘Z’ shape (laid in 2004)

These samples were at the time considered suitable to determine the degree of WBV (whole body vibrations) over a 3year period. This may not be the case, it should be noted that these test paths were not provided in-situ of normal path conditions where tree roots, road vibration and variable soil and subsoil movement is considered in the reaction upon the performance of these sample paths. (Inside the report the evaluation team elude to - the results are subject to time and circumstances that may affect the true outcomes of the final results for WBV’s but not allowed for in these testings). In reality, the myriad of Brick and interlocking pavers on display in South Australia that have been laid to the Australian Standards show clearly their performance fail to provide a consistent and suitable path for our wheel chair and Mobility users in as little as 3 months to 5 years, from time of being laid or repaired. (In fact they produce Trip and fall hazards for pedestrians also).

The conclusion results had surface (4) as the highest WBV (WHOLE BODY VIBRATIONS) and surface (2) at the lowest, so this proves that the flatter a path can be at its joints will provide the best result. This of course should also be considered over time as all segment pavers will fail within 5 years (this includes sample 2), dislodgement occurs without warning and the WBV will increase significantly.

Sample( 1) has high vibration which is at the joint only. What has not been considered is the rapid repetitive nature of WBV's of bricks compared to the more irregular WBV of the standard concrete path with a trowelled joint (Sample 1). It should also be considered that control joints at typically 6 m apart and will also provide higher WBV's than the trowelled joint.

Wheel chair and mobility users do rely on their vehicles for extended periods of time every day and according to the International Standards 2631-1 standard on human vibration. Individuals in a seated position when exposed to whole-body vibrations (WBV) are at risk of injury. This secondary injury could be debilitating to all forms of future mobility, or may even be life threatening. Understanding and planning of our future path ways, should be taken with more care and respect.

Consider footpaths in your own district and you are very likely to find a significant and dangerous footpath defect within 30 metres of walking (approx. 1.5 standard house block frontages) this does not take into account the other variables that provide the WBV ‘s to mobility users that place them at risk for secondary injuries. It has been noted in the ISO 2631 – 1 that the harmful effects of WBV can be negated by an 8-hour rest period; however, this is extremely rare during an ordinary day of a manual or power wheel chair user and through days; months and years of exposure to WBV could result in secondary injuries. Wheel chair and power wheel chair (mobility) users rely on their wheel chair for all of their mobility and are therefore at high risk of secondary injuries.

All of the tested paths provided enough WBV’s that may cause injuries. (Albeit some better than others, until they too are quickly affected by time and circumstances that dramatically alter their performance). The Concrete path which has control joints and crack inducer jointing also failed. It is not the smooth finish of concrete that makes it fail but in fact it is those manufactured joints. All of the path ways had joints that produced WBV’s and that would significantly increase over time.

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE 2004?

Opposed to the Interlocking (segmented concrete / clay) pavers which can have up to 40 edges of excessive vibration per m2, producing rapid, continuous high levels of WBV and a standard concrete path with regular joints that also produce a high WBV at impact on a regular interval, is a TripStop path! (TripStop was invented and first produced and installed in 2004 without failure.) WINNER – ABC Best Invention Award – 2004.

www.tripstop,net

A TripStop path is, a concrete path with the TripStop jointing system, wet laid and broom finished flush with the surface at regular intervals, 1:1 (Refer to the TripStop Installation instruction sheet, no trowelled Joint) replacing the need for any crack inducing (sawn or trowelled finished joint), or any expansion joint, thus providing the lowest WBV value available. Over time TripStop manages the joint and diminishes the WBV affect for a period of say over 50 years or the life of the concrete used.

A TripStop joint will lower WBV’s; eliminate trip hazards; stops displacement between slabs; transfer loads between slabs; eliminates expansion issues; controls the effects of tree roots; extends the life of a concrete path; reduces maintenance costs and time wasted on inspections; manages expansion and soil movement issues; provides a safer path way for all users and produces an environmentally friendly, sustainable footpath for the lifecycle of the concrete used.

All of this provides the pathway stake holders, with a great ROI (Return on Investment) and the community with a SAFE, reliable maintenance free asset / infrastructure / pathway, (footpath).

This picture shows TripStop TS75X - carrying and transferring load while eliminating Trip hazards and minimising WBV's.

Picture above - This TripStop joint is over 13 years old, next to a tree that has a circumference of over 4 metres in Myzpah Street Unley SA - No Trip hazard and while it should not have had a trowelled joint (bad habits are hard to kill) minimal increase in its WBV.

TripStop is now also available for 150mm thick paths / concrete road ways as well as the standard 75mm; 100mm; and 125mm paths. TripStop has it covered and significantly LOWERS the RISK!

Bricks; Interlocking and segmented paths will dramatically increase the WBV value with every 1mm of displacement, a common occurrence, TripStop is rarely affected, it takes considerable time to affect TripStop, a vertical lift of over 40mm is required to achieve approximately a 1mm displacement at any joint and at an 80mm vertical lift will only produce a displacement of less than 4mm.

Picture above - A typical standard concrete repair that is fool hardy that wastes time and money. TripStop avoids this!

Picture above - Early stages of failure with poor WBV from the beginning, worse to come.

Picture above - There it is! Brick paving cannot sustain a safe / suitable WBV for all users!

Picture above - TripStop in Kuirau Park NZ 

Picture above - TripStop setup and ready for pour.

WANT TO SEE HOW TripStop WORKS? Book a time for Mike to show you and / or your staff / peers, our live display!

www.tripstop.net

[email protected]

Mike Ramsey

Mob. 0433 132 129