Background Information and Challenge
The NAIT Center for Applied Technology Building is tightly situated amongst other campus buildings and shares a common laneway access route for utility and delivery trucks. One would typically find such an area on the backside of a building and not typically frequented by regular pedestrian traffic. There is also limited space to design shared green space for these buildings, requiring a porous pavement option.
Solution
As a result, GeoBlock® 5150 porous pavement system was selected by the engineer. In the event that a truck needs to access this area, the GeoBlock® will effectively handle any vehicle-induced turning stresses and torsional loads while protecting the topsoil and the vegetative root zone. Additionally, regular pedestrian traffic would not severely damage or wear out the turf.
Results
Installation of the GeoBlock® Porous Pavement System from start to finish went very quickly. Prior to the installation, the contractor had additional concerns regarding a catch basin at the center of the area and the differing heights on either side of the site. This naturally meant there would be some pitch and limited slope to contend with within the installation. The GeoBlock® was easily cut and placed around the catch basin and contoured nicely to the slope. The installation was completed near the end of September, so rather than seed the area, they opted for sod infill to provide immediate root structure and a quicker turnaround in the Spring.
