grassconcrete

grasscrete

grasscrete
the environmental paving solution

grasscrete

the original ...the best

Grass Concrete Limited is a world leader in the development and supply
of green construction solutions. Expert environmental engineers for over
40 years, we were committed to our environment and the creation of
greenspace long before the rest.
Our history
Grass Concrete Limited is a UK based company founded upon the principles
of establishing environmental awareness in construction. Since our
establishment in 1970 many of our aspirations that were then alternative
have now become part of mainstream policy adopted by governments and
planners around the world.
Barely an issue in those days the company set out to change traditional thinking towards paving
technology. The companys creations have grown with that of its original product, the unique
Grasscrete paving system. Alongside this original invention further paving systems were
introduced as well as a range of earth retaining walls and green roofing solutions.

Why Grasscrete?
With architects and engineers now embracing environmental technology, the relevance of
Grasscrete has never been greater. A product ahead of its time has found its era.
As probably the worlds only supplier of a complete range of grass reinforcement products, we
are able to say that Grasscrete stands alone in its unique capabilities. Though often thought of as
a generic reference for grass reinforcement, its much more than that and, indeed, shouldnt be
confused with other types of grass paving.
The lightweight Grasscrete void former can be easily and cost effectively shipped throughout the
World. Availability is enhanced by an extensive network of International Licensees.

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grasscrete

development
Just once in a while a product is developed that transcends normal
comparisons. A product so unique that it becomes a watchword across a
whole range of industries and applications.

applications
Vehicle parking
Access roads
Fire and emergency access
Laybys / pull ins
Highway verges
Abnormal load diversions
SUDS (sustainable urban drainage system)
Helipads
Military installations
Slope protection
Drainage channels
Swales
Spillways

development and applications

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structural performance
Grasscrete combines the environmental appeal of natural grass with the
engineering principles of reinforced concrete.
This unique cellular structure is created using the Grasscrete void former; vacuum
formed with a patented anti-static coating to prevent concrete adhesion as well
as enabling easy packing and separation.

Key benefits
Resists differential settlement
Modular, pre-cast concrete or plastic systems rely significantly upon grass for stability by forming
a composite tensile matrix. Under constant trafficking the combination of load and vibration can
loosen root anchorage, leaving the surface prone to settlement in a syndrome known as elephant
tracking.
By contrast Grasscrete isnt structurally influenced by grass and can therefore be trafficked before
grass establishment. The reinforced structure resists differential settlement and the flat, upper
surface and pocket shape minimises vibration.

Ground heave
Grasscretes unique pocket profile enables the release of frost heave and hydro-static pressure.
These benefits enable the system to be used over frost influenced ground and in demanding
slope protection works.

Sub-base depth
With an allowable ground-bearing requirement of just 45kN/m2, Grasscrete can be installed over slimmer
sub-bases than required for pre-cast or plastic types.

Edge details
Modular pre-cast concrete or plastic systems require edge restraints or kerbs. For larger projects
intermediate shear anchors may also be needed. Grasscrete however, requires no such detail,
enabling it to blend naturally with adjacent finishes with subtle delineation created by a
monolithically cast solid concrete edge margin.

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Pre-cast system

Reliance upon grass cover

for anchorage

Load

Load
lateral displacement

Sub-base deforms causing sub-grade to pump to surface

Grasscrete

Load

Load

No reliance upon grass cover

for structural integrity

Safe load distribution via reinforcement

systems

grasscrete

environmental factors
Recent years have seen environmental tokenism being overtaken by
adopted mainstream policy; intended to redress the damaging impact of
urbanisation and development.
From once being someone elses problem the impact of environmental neglect
now leaves no-one untouched. Grasscrete has long played a vital role in
maintaining environmental balance. Technology once seen as alternative is
now becoming integrated into policy and direction by governments and
planning authorities.

Key environmental benefits

Self draining
Capable of draining at rates of up to 90% that of normal grassland, Grasscrete maintains the
natural equilibrium of ground water re-charge. This serves to reduce the incidence of clay sub-soil
shrinkage and attending instability of local building foundations.
Grasscretes technology pre-dates what is now commonly termed as sustainable urban drainage
(SUDS) and its principles are equally at home under that heading.
The structure creates a natural biological filter with attenuation or rainwater harvesting taking place
below. With low surface run-off factors, levels can be freed from the normal requirements to create
drainage falls.

Greenspace
Greenspace mitigation within urban areas is invaluable in balancing CO2 levels created by
vehicular traffic. Located at the actual point of emission, the natural digestion by a grassed
parking area can help to avoid atmospheric CO2 build up and reduce the urban green island
effect. The feel good factor of greenspace cannot be overlooked as street scenes are softened
without losing essential structural performance.

Recycling
Grasscrete maintains an environmental focus in the use of recycled materials in the manufacture
of the plastic formers. This policy is also extended to the soil pockets and sub-base layers where
recycled materials are encouraged.

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sustainable drainage technology(SUDS)

Standard detail

Rainfall

Advanced percolation detail

Rainfall

Needle punched geotextile

or

Low fines granular layer

Geotextile

Irrigation detail

Rainfall
Pop-up sprinkler
(can be solar powered)
Riser pipe on ring main

Needle punched geotextile

Low fines granular material
Low permeability geotextile

drainage technology

grasscrete

slope protection
Grasscrete has been flow tested to rates in excess of 8 metres per
second. This enables it to be used in exacting locations such as
emergency spillways.
The same testing process has also shown that when used in water flow Grasscrete is hydraulically
efficient. Under heavy flow, long stemmed grass is flattened with the resulting thatch reducing the
Mannings n value for hydraulic roughness to as low as 0.03.
Pre-cast concrete systems require infill panels to create directional changes. These can cause
turbulent flow that becomes a focal point for erosion, Grasscrete by contrast is a continuous slab
with no such weakness.
The ability to easily link together individual slabs means that Grasscrete can be installed with a
number of gangs operating in separate locations. This compares to the linear end-to-end
construction required for pre-cast elements.

Full concrete
surround to void
prevents soil
wash out

The natural revetment system

Venting of hydrostatic
and frost pressure

Aquatic planting

Geotextile
Sand blind to regulated sub-grade
Gravel / stone fill below water line

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installation
1. Preparation

2. Lay formers

Working space
Edge formwork

10/20mm
sand

100mm gap
from formwork

Place 600 x 600mm

formers edge to edge

Sub-base

3. Mesh reinforcement

4. Concrete
Finish with
squeegee
Concrete to standard
Grasscrete mix design

Place mesh reinforcement

in formers

5. Melt former tops

with flame
gun

Pour via staging board

6. Top soil and seed

After initial settlement, top up
soil levels and seed

installation

grasscrete

Types
GC3
Void former size:
Paving depth:
Mesh reinforcement:
Concrete coverage:
Topsoil coverage:

600 x 600 x 76mm

76mm
A142 or A193
(200 x 200 x 6mm dia. or 200 x 200 x 7mm dia.)
22m2/m3
24m2/m3

GC1
Void former size:
Paving depth:
Mesh reinforcement:
Concrete coverage:
Topsoil coverage:

600 x 600 x 100mm

100mm
A193 or A252
(200 x 200 x 7mm dia. or 200 x 200 x 8mm dia.)
15.50m2/m3
18m2/m3

GC2
Void former size:
Paving depth:
Mesh reinforcement:
Concrete coverage:
Topsoil coverage:

600 x 600 x 150mm

150mm
A252 or A393
(200 x 200 x 8mm dia. or 200 x 200 x 10mm dia.)
11.50m2/m3
12m2/m3

GC2
Void former size:
Paving depth:
Mesh reinforcement:
Concrete coverage:
Topsoil coverage:

600 x 600 x 150mm

150mm
A393
(200 x 200 x 10mm dia.)
10.50m2/m3
14m2/m3

Specification
Grasscrete cast on site reinforced cellular paving.
Grasscrete formers type GC.......*, .......*mm deep laid on a consolidated sub-base with a 10/ 20mm
blinding layer of sand. Steel mesh reinforcement to BS4483 reference .......*, weighing .......*kg/m2.
Concrete 30MN/m2 at 28 days with air entrainment of 3%. 10mm maximum aggregate and a
.......*mm slump placed around formers and mesh and levelled to tops of formers. (Coloured
concrete can also be used.) After 48 hours melt exposed tops of formers and fill with soil. Following
settlement sow Grassmix No.......* at a rate of 50g/m2 and top up with fine friable topsoil, apply
fertiliser as necessary.
Expansion joints shall be incorporated at 10 x 10m centres and shall consist of 25mm wide
pre-soaked softwood filler (for GC3, GC1, GC2 and GC2sc).
or (for GC2sc only)
Expansion joints shall be incorporated at 10 x 10m centres and shall consist of 25mm wide
foamboard filler with 20mm diameter x 300mm long sawn mild steel dowels at 400mm centres with
cap and debond to one side. Joint shall be sealed with cold applied sealant.
*Refer to data in Grasscrete Types table and Specification Guide for items to be completed.

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Specification guide
Vehicular
use

Maximum
vehicle
weight

Grasscrete
type

Depth

Reinforcement

Minimum
Sub-base
depth*

Sub-base
type

0 - 3.4 tonnes

GC3

76mm

A142

100mm

3.4 - 4.3 tonnes

GC3

76mm

A193

150mm

4.3 - 10.8 tonnes

GC1

100mm

A193

150mm

10.8 - 13.3 tonnes

GC1

100mm

A252

150mm

13.3 - 30.0 tonnes

GC2

150mm

A252

150mm

30.0 - 40.0 tonnes

GC2

150mm

A393

200mm

30.0 - 40.0 tonnes

GC2sc

150mm

A393

200mm

(UK)
Specification
for Highway
Works Clause
803 Type 1
sub-base
(International)
40mm down
crushed stone
granular
sub-base

*Assumes a free draining allowable ground bearing of 45kN/m 2 which should also be sufficient to enable
construction plant/delivery access.

Water
environment

Seed
specification

Water flow rate

Grasscrete
type

Depth

Reinforcement

Up to 4.5
metres / second

GC3

76mm

A142

4.5 to 6
metres / second

GC1

100mm

A193

6 to 9
metres / second

GC2

Mix

Sowing rate

No. 1

150mm

A252

Preparation
(all types)
Trimmed earth
sub-grade
Sand blind
Suitable geotextile
Fine protective
cover of sand

*Specification (temperate European)

Application

35gms/m2

50%
20%
25%
5%

perennial ryegrass
slender creeping red fescue
strong creeping red fescue
browntop bent

Vehicular parking,
amenity areas

No. 2

30gms/m2

20%
20%
30%
25%
5%

chewings fescue
slender creeping red fescue
strong creeping red fescue
hard fescue
browntop bent

Fire paths, shaded

low maintenance areas

No. 3

20gms/m2

25%
20%
30%
10%
10%
5%

perennial ryegrass
strong creeping red fescue
hard fescue
smooth stalked meadow grass
browntop bent
white clover

Slopes, road verges

*For other climate types

please contact us

Please contact us for further information and advise relating to special mixes for applications such as water
courses and spillways.

specification

11

Grass Concrete Limited

Duncan House, 142 Thornes Lane, Thornes,
Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 7RE, England

Tel: +44(0)1924 379443 Fax: +44(0)1924 290289

info@grasscrete.com
Please note that information is given in good faith, without warranty and subject to alteration without prior notice.

A full range of brochures and technical guides are available upon request

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