The common misconception about the topic of paving is that it is exclusively used for parking lots. In this section, two new concepts are introduced that redefine the way in which paving is viewed. The two major sections stimulate and promote thinking about the exterior horizontal surfaces in a non-traditional way and presents diagrams and illustrations that integrate the use of precast concrete pavers into the design of the built environment. Portion of Harfmann/Day publication 

The issue of scale is a common concern when designing the large exterior surfaces of the urban carpet. Large monolithically paved surfaces do not tend to provide the human with any dimensional relationship to the environment on which their feet are planted. The use of segmental paving, by default, offers a direct dimensional relationship between the human and the individual units that make up the paved assembly. 
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication 

The term Green Structure is borrowed from the European planning model that links the natural "green" qualities of the environment with the organizing human "structure" of an urban or landscape design. The use of this concept can be applied to both urban and natural environments.  The green structure is a mechanism to control or maintain the natural environment when intervention or urbanization has caused an imbalance. Portion of Harfmann/Day publication 

Although concrete pavers can be more expensive initially than asphalt or reinforced concrete, it is important to consider the cost relative to the life cycle of the pavement as well. The initial costs for materials and installation and the life cycle costs are considered direct costs and are easily quantifiable. There are however, external costs that are not as easily quantifiable but must be considered when determining pavement options. These costs include environmental impact, road user costs during repairs, integration of other requirements, redesign, pavement rehabilitation and aesthetics. The segmental and precast nature of the concrete paving units capitalize on several of these aspects while reducing lifecycle costs.
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication - Other advantages include: Design Variety, Safety, Zip and Unzip, and Environmental Impact. 

The indivual units of interlocking concrete pavements support the concept of a "zipper" which can be undone and then redone in a simple manner. Since the pavers are interlocked and not permanently attached to one another, it is possible to remove several individual units and simply replace them once a repair is made. The final result is undetectable and inexpensive. It is an immediate response to the need to gain access to the surface below or for the repair of damaged areas of the surface. 
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication - Other advantages include: Design Variety, Safety, Environmental Impact, and Cost. 

The surface provided by precast concrete pavers is a naturally safe surface for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic usage. The variety in pattern and color can also define different zones of use that might separate vehicular traffic from pedestrian traffic.
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication - Other advantages include: Design Variety, Zip and Unzip, Environmental Impact, and Cost. 

The variety in shape, size and color of segemental precast concrete pavers results in many design opportunities. The units by default result in a visually stimulating surface that can vary in scale, colors, patterns and can be combined in various ways in order to emphasize or mark certain aspects of a design.
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication - Other advantages include: Environmental Impact, Safety, Zip and Unzip, and Cost. 

The non-monolithic surface of precast concrete pavers allows them to minimize the impact on the local environment. Where a paved surface is necessary, the segmental pavers can be integrated with the functions of the earth and environmental conditions thereby reducing the overall impact that a monolithic surface might impose.
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication - Other advantages include: Design Variety, Safety, Zip and Unzip, and Cost. 

Discover the competitive advantages of concrete pavers over other hardscape materials.  These advantages include: Design Variety, Environmental Impact, Safety, Zip and Unzip, and Cost.  See the full writeup by clicking Read More or select any of the linked words above to download the associated pdfs.
Portion of Harfmann/Day publication

The following is an instructional video that introduces the installation of the ThermaPAVER (Therma-Hexx), a solar paver, ground mount system. ThermaPAVER is the invisible solar collector, that can be used to absorb instead of reflect solar energy. ThermaPAVER can be used to solar hot water, as a means of an efficient snowmelt system and a way to cool interlocking concrete pavers.

This lesson introduces and then tests the viewer on the variables that must be considered when using segmental pavements to support pedestrian and vehicular loads on municipal streets. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the following four variables are critical to consider:

An ESAL is a standard unit that is used to measure the amount of damage vehicles inflict on a surface. 1 ESAL = the impact from a single 18,000-lb axle load. The damage to a pavement caused by one pass of a large tractor-trailer in exponentially greater than that caused by a two door sedan.

It takes roughly 20,000 passes of the sedan to cause the same amount of same amount of damage as one pass of a tractor-trailer. In these scenarios, the design ESALs will be predetermined. This is usually based on the expected traffic mix. Reference ASCE and ICPI Tech Spec 4 to calculate the appropriate ESAL rating to a design.

Aggregate bases stabilized with asphalt or cement are recommended under very heavy loads, and over weak or saturated soil subgrades. These are sometimes used when adequate aggregates are not available or when a stabilized base is more economical than unstabilized aggregate. Poor subgrade should be avoided if possible, but when it is necessary to build over weak soils there are several methods available to improve subgrade performance.

Soil characteristics play a major factor in the design of pavements. It is important to accurately assess the type of soil on a site. Soils are classified by the Unified Soils Classification method  (ASTM D2487, 2006a). Soils that have a course grain and good drainage are generally stronger than fine grained soils with poor drainage. For example a gravel soil with good drainage is significantly stronger than a clay soil with poor drainage.

Remember that when choosing a paver it is always important to consider the surrounding environment. Pavers that are a few shades lighter than any building or house on the property won't compete for attention. Brick-colored pavers add a warmth to wood or stone buildings, and gray-toned pavers are often paired with brick buildings to minimize over matching. Monotony of color can be broken up by using a blended-paver or combining two types of pavers. Whatever design effect is desired it can potentially  be achieved through the use of paver color.

Dimensional tolerances are important on a paver’s structural efficiency. Rectangular and shaped blocks need to be designed to include their surrounding space; and their length to width ratio depends upon the final laying pattern. To optimize the block surfacing structural efficiency then every block must be specified and controlled within strict tolerances.

This video demonstrates the flexing properties of interlocking concrete pavers. This flexing pattern allows for weight and pressure to be distributed evenly over the pavers, which as a result provides for a higher PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) and a material that is more durable than Asphalt or Poured Concrete. Interlocking pavers are proving to be a huge money saver with very little maintenance costs. The strength and durability of ICP can be seen in shipping ports, airports and other high density/heavy load areas.

This study is focused on the implementation of interlocking pavers in marshy roads and high groundwater table terrain. Permeable interlocking concrete pavers were used to combat intrusion of underground/saline water for the road of case study (Akin-Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos). Hydrogeologic data, i.e., groundwater level information for marshy roads terrain including the area of case study was obtained in form of investigation hole/borehole data. Different scientific tests and researches put together show the effectiveness and durability of the modified exfiltration system type of permeable pavement for high ground water table terrain.