Technobrochure_nidagravel_UK_IE

gravel stabiliser

 easy to walk and drive across

 load bearing to 300 tons/m²

 100 % permeable

 easy to lay and to maintain

 SUDS compliant

 weed barrier Parking areas - Driveways - Patios - Paths
 eco-friendly

www.nidagravel.eu

nidaplast is member of the Etex group. This multinational with its head office in Brussels employs more than
12,000 people and is active in both the production and selling of building materials.

nidaplast’s product development is therefore built on solid manufacturing foundations.
nidaplast now has more than 20 years of experience in the area of polypropylene honeycomb
structures and the company has acquired a worldwide reputation with regard to innovation.

The figures speak for themselves:
■■ Industrial applications:

sandwich panels, boatbuilding, door panels, ...
■■ Water retention basins:

> 200,000 cubic metre blocks for building water retention basin
■■ nidagravel® gravel stabiliser (gardening and landscape architecture applications):

> 1,000,000 m² gravel stabilisation

In the case of all applications of nidaplast eco garden products, such as water-permeable surfaces, buffering
rainwater and rainwater infiltration, respect for water is central. nidaplast products contribute to a sustainable
water policy. Thanks to nidaplast products the amount of paved or metalled surfaces has been reduced. As a
result, the ground is able to absorb or evaporate rainwater evenly. This leads to a more balanced groundwater
level and has a positive effect on water quality.

Attention is also paid to the ecological aspect in the case of each application. For example, a geotextile has
been attached to the underside of nidagravel® to act as a root-proof membrane that substantially reduces weed
growth. As a result, the use of herbicides is considerably reduced or even avoided completely.

It is partly due to growing awareness of the environment that these applications have become increasingly
more popular in recent years. It goes without saying that nidaplast is certified in accordance with international
standards: ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 1801.

These certifications guarantee that nidaplast aims to produce top quality products, respects the environment
and ensures safety at work..

1. The principle of nidagravel® gravel stabilisation

nidagravel® are extruded polypropylene sheets with a honeycomb structure without nidagravel®
form. The size of the honeycomb is 49 mm to allow a large choice of gravel.

The foundation must be prepared according to the anticipated loads. The
nidagravel® gravel stabilisation sheets, which have already been provided
with a geotextile on the underside, are placed on this. These sheets are
filled with a top dressing of gravel so that the sheets are invisible.

nidagravel® is a unique gravel stabilising system that transfers loosely with nidagravel®
gravelled paths and access areas into stable gravel surfaces. The
polypropylene honeycomb sheets filled with gravel guarantee a stabilised
and extremely solid gravel surface that is also suited for vehicles.
As soon as the honeycomb sheets have been filled, the gravel will
automatically steady and can no longer spread. A finishing gravel layer
will make the sheets invisible. The system is ideal to construct porous
gravel paths or footways without ruts or potholes, thus guaranteeing an
aesthetic and solid access in all weather conditions.

nidagravel® stabilizes gravel and enables easy use by pedestrians and
vehicles. These system characteristics extend the application range of
gravel to include any type of surfacing, both for private use (drives, paths,
terraces…) and for public use (parking spaces, public squares, gardens,

parks, playgrounds, cemeteries…).

2. Product description

nidagravel® is manufactured from extruded polypropylene (50 % recycled PP, 70 % high quality PP).
The sheet thickness measures 40, 30 or 29 mm with a 49 mm honeycomb diameter (allowing for a maximum
aggregate size of 16 mm). The 40 mm and 30 mm sheets
measure 2400 x 1200 mm* and the 29 mm sheet measures
1200 x 800 mm.The honeycomb structure should be overfilled
to a depth of 10-20 mm above the top surface of the sheets. A
porous geotextile (45 g/m2) has been applied to the underside
of the sheet.

nidagravel® is chemically inert, resistant against ageing,
accidental chemical contamination, microorganisms and
rodents. It can also be recycled.

This geotextile was applied for the following reasons:
• To prevent gravel from getting beneath the sheets and eventually pushing them up.
• To prevent gravel from sinking into the substrate under load, lessening the maintenance of topping up.
• To allow water permeability, whilst preventing upward contamination from sub base material into the
gravel.
• To slow down root and weed formation.

The geotextile membrane on the base is larger than the actual sheet allowing for an overlap with the adjacent
sheet.

* For deliveries to the Republic of Ireland the 40 mm and 30 mm sheets measure 2200 x 1200 mm in size.

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3. Different types of paving

The advantages and disadvantages should always be weighed up when choosing a particular paving material.
It goes without saying that one type of paving will not be the most suitable in all cases. The following table
provides an overview of commonly used paving materials with a number of criteria that will influence the choice
of paving. The table indicates how pavings behave with regard to these criteria.

water permeability gravel/shingle concrete/asphalt nidagravel®
passability on foot ++ - gravel stabiliser
passability for cars and lorries 0 ++
maintenance - ++ ++
formation of puddles and ruts - ++ ++
colour fastness - ++ +
aesthetic aspect ++ + +
price 0 + ++
++ - ++
++
+

without nidagravel® with nidagravel®

3.1 Concrete and asphalt pavings

Concrete and asphalt are used very frequently because these types of paving offer good properties in terms of
functionality. These pavings easily lend themselves to frequent use and heavy traffic. They also require very little
maintenance. Notwithstanding the fact that concrete and clinker manufacturers place products on the market
that are to a certain degree porous, we can say that during periods of heavy rain these products do not offer a
satisfactory alternative to 100% porous surfaces.

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3.2 Gravel pavings

A. Advantages and disadvantages

Gravel paving is 100% porous, always colourfast and offer a cost-effective paving solution. However, with
frequent use ruts quickly form in this type of paving and pits will always require re-filling. This dramatically redu-
ces functionality.
A gravel type is always indicated by a name (e.g. dolomite) and a number which relates to the minimum and
maximum calibre of the gravel (e.g. 5/15). With some types of gravel, the fraction of the minimum calibre is
extremely small (e.g. dolomite0/5).

B. Round or broken gravel/shingle

Broken Make sure you always choose a gravel type that had its origin in hard rock. In this way
Round you will avoid the gravel crumbling over time, thereby forming small particles. In addition,
soft rocks are also more porous, which can lead to the formation of green. Your gravel
dealer will provide you with any advice in this respect.

Ideal for places used by children (round granules are less painful on contact with bare
knees).

3.3 nidagravel® gravel stabilisation

nidagravel® gravel stabilisation ensures a perfect, waterpermeable, colour fast and functional paving.

without nidagravel® with nidagravel®

66 perfect stabilisation: easy to walk on, ride or wheel a bicycle or wheelchair across, or drive across in a car
66 ugly ruts, puddles and potholes are a thing of the past: dramatic drop in maintenance
66 perfect drainage via the honeycombs: the gravel does not turn green
66 weed formation limited by geotextile: fewer herbicides
66 the paving remains colourfast: natural gravel
66 the paving can bear loads of up to 400 tons/m²: from footpaths to lorry parks
66 also possible on slopes (up to 1 in 10)
66 large sheets guarantee a quick installation

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4. nidagravel®: possible applications

Gravel used in combination with nidagravel® is much easier to walk, ride and drive across than loose gravel.
Thanks to this property, the application of gravel is extended to any type of paving, both for private use (driveways,
paths, terraces) and for public use (car parkings, public squares, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries ...)

Different applications for nidagravel® gravel stabilisation are:

patios playgrounds roof terraces

pathways courtyards inclined driveways

lorry parks private parking places bicycle paths

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pathways caravan parks car parkings

restaurants cemeteries golf courses

garden paths patios parks and gardens

public spaces hotels playgrounds

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5. Installation

5.1 The foundation: practical advice

First, the necessary thickness for the nidagravel® sheets and the foundation layer must be dug out. The
thickness of the foundation depends on the load-bearing capacity of the subsoil and the anticipated traffic (light
or heavy vehicles).

When installing the sheets, the most important function is performed by the foundation layer. The foundation is
responsible for transferring and spreading the loads to and over the subsoil which can vary in strength. It goes
without saying, therefore, that not all subsoils require the same type of foundation. Nevertheless, we are able to
provide some advice:



For footpaths and cycle paths:

5 - 10 cm crushed stone surface* (crushed limestone, porphyry or broken
concrete) with 1 cm blindingl/crushed stone or sand on top for levelling
purposes in the event of an existing subgrade

For cars:

15 - 20 cm crushed stone surface* (crushed limestone, porphyry or broken
concrete) with 1 cm blinding/crushed stone or sand on top for levelling
purposes in the event of an existing subgrade

For lorries (emergency access and sporadic HGV use):

30 - 40 cm crushed stone surface* (crushed limestone, porphyry or broken
concrete) with 2,5 cm blinding/crushed stone or sand on top for levelling
purposes in the event of an existing subgrade

(*) The subbase can vary depending on the bearing capacity of the existing subgrade.

Granulates with a large grading will often be used in the case of subbases made from crushed stone. However, this
subbase is not level enough to lay nidagravel® panels immediately on top of it. It is therefore advisable to provide a
blinding layer of fine gravel (e.g. crushed stone 1-3), compacted if necessary and then raked level.

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5.2 Borders

Special attention must be paid to the borders in order to protect the nidagravel® sheet against lateral mechanical
loads. This is especially the case at those points where travelling loads enter the site.

Edging has a double function
- It ensures that the gravel does not migrate from the surface
- It provides protection for the nidagravel® stabilisation sheets.

Possible finishes include:

nidaborder CURVE
clay or concrete bricks

nidaborder PE nidaborder GALVA

In each case, this marginal strip will protrude at least a couple of cm above the level of the gravel stabilisation
sheets.

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5.3 Laying the nidagravel® sheets
After preparing the subgrade (foundation) the sheets are laid in the following way.

The sheets are laid ready to use, in general with staggered joints.
The surface area of one sheet is almost 3 m² so that installation progresses quickly.
The geotextile, which protrudes along two edges of the sheet, is laid immediately under the adjoining panel.
Mechanic anchoring is not necessary because one sheet, when filled with gravel, soon weighs 230 kg.

Cutting sheets to size and shape is surprisingly quick and easy. The sheets can be cut with an angle grinder or
jigsaw. The sheets can be laid on slopes of up to 1 in 10 without additional anchoring.

5.4 Filling the nidagravel® sheets with decorative gravel
Due to the settling of the granulates during the first few days after using the surface for the first time, it is advisable
to fill with gravel up to two centimetres above the sheets. This is in order to eventually end up with 1 cm protruding
above the panels. The high compression resistance of up to 400 tons/m² is achieved the moment the sheets are
filled with gravel.

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6. Maintenance of nidagravel® gravel stabilisation

6.1 nidagravel®maintenance

Once the paving has been created, we recommend regularly inspecting the top layer (i.e. the layer of 10 to 20
mm that protrudes above the nidagravel® sheets).The purpose of the top layer is to avoid direct contact between
travelling loads and nidagravel® sheets and also to make the sheets invisible. In the period immediately after
installation, the gravel will sink a little further through natural compaction, which may expose the sheets. In
this case the gravel will have to be topped up, for aesthetic reasons but also from a functional viewpoint. With
regular use we recommend levelling the top layer occasionally. This can be carried out quickly using a rake or
drag mat.

6.2 Weeds

In damp periods, weed seeds will germinate if they land on the gravel paving. This is certainly the case with
calciferous stones. However, the presence of the geotextile makes it more difficult for roots to take hold. This
means that the roots of weeds will concentrate mainly in the nidagravel® honeycombs. Since the nidagravel®
paving is perfectly porous, many weeds will quickly suffer from a lack of water in dry periods, and most will dry
out and die. The surviving weeds can easily be removed because the roots are not able to take hold in a gravel
base. A broken stone foundation also makes it difficult for weeds to take hold.

6.3 Salt/snow

Salt does not have a negative effect on gravel paving with nidagravel®. If a snowplough is used, you must make sure
that the top layer of gravel is not scraped off. The best approach is to clear the paving to around 30 mm above
the nidagravel® layer, after which salt can be used.

6.4 Wear/aging

• Traffic:
If travelling loads are kept off the nidagravel® sheet by a top layer of gravel, the wear on the nidagravel®
sheets will be minimal. Regular inspection is therefore absolutely essential to ensure the paving has a long
life.

• Weathering:
nidagravel® is UV-resistant and insensitive to frost.

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7. Specifications text

Product Description:
Extruded polypropylene sheets with a honeycomb structure used for gravel stabilisation. The honeycombs, with
a diameter of 49 mm, have a porous geotextile on the underside (hot-glued).
The product is supplied in sheet form.
The sheets are light and pressure-resistant; they are used to give cohesion to granular substrates so that they
can allow passing traffic. They are used to strengthen and stabilise ground consisting of gravel or sand.
The sheets are highly resistant against aggressive products, microorganisms and rodents.

nidagravel® is available in three heights: nidagravel® 140 (40 mm), 130 (30 mm) and 129 (29 mm).

Properties nidagravel® 140 nidagravel® 130 nidagravel® 129

Useage Driveways, terraces, Driveways, Pathways, terraces
paths and public spaces terraces, paths and patios
Panel dimension
(L x W - mm) 2400 x 1200 mm* 2400 x 1200 mm* 1200 x 800 mm

Square metres per panel 2.88 2.88 0.96
30 mm 29 mm
Panel depth 40 mm
300 T/m2 filled 250 T/m2 filled
Load Bearing 400 T/m2 filled
(Failure Load) ISO 844 Polypropylene Polypropylene
Material Polypropylene (30% recycled) (30% recycled)
(30% recycled)
45 g/m2 45 g/m2
Geotextile 45 g/m2 1:10 1:10

Maximum slope 1:10 Up to 16 mm Up to 16 mm

Recommended gravel Up to 16 mm 10 - 20 mm 10 - 20 mm
size 10 - 20 mm
Yes Yes
Recommended gravel 49 mm 49 mm
overfill 1 mm 1 mm
Completely permeable Completely permeable
Weed membrane attached Yes
Yes Yes
Honeycomb diameter 49 mm Very good Very good
Resistant to almost Resistant to almost
Wall thickness 1 mm all chemicals all chemicals
Milky White Milky White
Drainage capacity Completely permeable 1.35kg/m2 1.29kg/m2
75 kg/m² 75 kg/m²
SUDS friendly Yes
France France
Biological resistance Very good

Chemical resistance Resistant to almost
all chemicals

Colour Milky White

Weight (unfilled) 1.8kg/m2

Weight (filled) 90 kg/m²

Country of manufacture France

* For deliveries to the Republic of Ireland the 40 mm and 30 mm sheets measure 2200 x 1200 mm in size.

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The environment has absolute priority in the case of all our products.
Our commitment:
66 nidaplast products are an optimal solution for sustainable water management: rainwater is absorbed
by the ground or can evaporate faster, which has a positive effect on water quality;
66 our factory is working on a specific reduction of CO2 emissions;
66 our factory’s production water is purified after use;
66 we reuse our own waste products in the production process;
66 our products themselves are made from 30 percent recycled materials;
66 our factory is located in France and is certified in accordance with international standards: ISO
9001:2000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 1801.
66 These certifications are proof of the efforts we make with regard to superior quality and respect for the
environment when manufacturing nidaplast.

NIDAPLAST - Rue Paul Vaillant Couturier - F - 59224 THIANT - France - Tél: +33 (0)3 27 44 70 00 - Fax: +33 (0)3 27 44 72 09 -
[email protected] - www.nidagravel.eu - S.A.S. au capital de 1 061 998 € - R.C. VALENCIENNES 971 204 474 - NAF : 2223 Z