The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Fri Sep 30, 2005 8:02 pm**

As part of my new drive, I will be running the blocks in to meet an existing pedestrian ramp up to my shed. The blocks go down to about 1.2M width for 2 meters up to the ramp. One side is restrained by the garage wall, one side by the drive (other block pavers) but the final side has no 'natural' restraint.
The reason is that the blocks will go up the ramp 2 meters as the new drive has a higher finished level. the ramp has fresh air to one side.
How should I restrain the blocks from sliding off the side of the ramp, without the ability to put something behind them? Will a full mortar bed hold these blocks in place, given they will only see pedestrian traffic? Is there some kind of magic restrainer I can buy for this kind of problem?

Posted: **Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:37 pm**

Bed those 'free edge' blocks onto a strong mortar or concrete. If there is no chance at all of haunching them, consider using a bond-enhancing additive such as SBR or Ronafix to ensure the blocks well and truly stick to the mortar/concrete with no risk of them coming free.

Posted: **Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:56 pm**

Thanks for the tip Tony, I will need to bed them on concrete to build them up to the right level. (varies from 50 mm up to about 110)

What classes as a 'strong' mix? I've used 7-1 of ready mixed concrete ballast for the rest of my haunching/bedding. 4-1 about right? Will definitely get some adhesive enhancer as you suggest.

Posted: **Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:36 pm**

You need a concrete with plenty of fines to ensure you get a good adhesion between the blocks and the concrete itself, so I'd suggest summat like 3 parts 10mm aggregate, 2 parts grit sand and 1 part cement. A plasticiser is essential, but if you're using a bond improver, that will double up as a plasticiser.

The Brew Cabin

Free edge problem