Concrete slab, expansion joints & bonded aggregate

[matt_the_key]

Hi,

I'm in the process of putting down a new driveway. I've decided that I would like a gravel drive and because it slopes I’m looking at a gravel bonded surface. I had been assuming that I would be laying a concrete base and apply bonding to that. However, since the drive is quite large (120m2) and after reading the section about concrete slabs, I will need to incorporated some expansion joints. I've also read other posts in this forum that indicate that the bonded surface should not run over the expansion joints. I understand all the reasons why this is the case but I would like a continuous surface of gravel without having straight lines all over it.

Please can someone advise on what my options are, different sub base maybe? Cost is not too big an issue but I haven't got money to burn either!

[lutonlagerlout]

you could try and do it in 1 hit but 120m2 slab will crack in time,you can use different colours of resin and aggregate couldnt you make a feature of the expansion joints???
also you can use RBG on top of bitmac surfaces,better ask who ever is going to do it,as i have heard tale that they dont like selling the resin to joe public
cheers
LLL

[simeonronacrete]

We have the product, it's called Ronadeck Fast Grip.

But it's NOT a DIY product, and it's best installed by those that have done it before.

Call us and we can put you in contact with installers and leave you to choose the one you prefer.

Regards.

[lutonlagerlout]

simeon there was a post recently where the guy,dont know if he was a builder or not,asked about fast grip and was told it is only suitable for commercial applications
its a shame really because on this website it shows DIYers installing RBG
i can understand a company not wanting its product to look crap by poor applications,but what about marshalls,top pave,readymix,tarmac etc etc who will sell their products to anyone who has the £££
personally i think this is what has held RBG back in this country,we used addagrip a few years back and it was basically a closed shop.
get the stuff in the merchants and let the public decide with their wallets
if you don't we will end up with a resin equivelant to "geofix" on the market
just my opinion
LLL

[matt_the_key]

Hi Simeon, my post is really about the base and not who should apply the bonded aggregate. Are you saying that FastGrip should be applied over expansion joints and that it won't crack over time?

Cheers

[simeonronacrete]

Matt

No, don't apply Ronadeck Fast Grip over expansion joints. Why? Because as the joint opens and closes, the Fast Grip (which is not elastic) will crack. You can install a suitable fexible joint filler into the joint and dress the Fast Grip aggregate into the surface.

The best base is well constructed concrete.

A lot of Fast Grip has been successfully laid on to tarmac but it must be good quality. well constructed, well compacted, no cracks, etc. See www.ronacrete.co.uk, Products, Flooring, Documents, Resin and click on "Ronadeck Fast Grip Typical Substrate Build Up".

Generally Fast Grip may crack if the substrate cracks, moves or deforms.

Good Luck.

[seanandruby]

i agree with simeon. leave a 20 ml rip on top of your expansion with ply. then fill with paraseal it does a good job.