An innovative concrete pavement solution, hailed as the future of hard stands, was recently launched in South Africa. It combines the volumetric retraction stability (VRS) additive Link EVR from RCR Industrial Flooring, thin concrete paving (TCP) short-slab design technology and fibre-reinforced concrete using fibre from CHRYSO Southern Africa and readymix from Metier.

The pioneering solution from Monofloor is called Optipave VRS and is said to be easy to install, environment-friendly and cost-effective.

“CHRYSO EasyFinish is a macro monofilament fibre that is engineered to replace steel mesh or steel fibres in concrete,” says CHRYSO Southern Africa Concrete Unit business director Hannes Engelbrecht. “It is specially designed for concrete reinforcement and is shaped to create a smooth concrete surface finish, improving durability and mechanical properties.”

Link EVR is used to reduce shrinkage and curling in concrete slabs and to help prevent superficial micro cracks known as crazing. It makes concrete less porous, improving its freeze-thaw behaviour as well as its resistance to liquid spillage and abrasion.

The Monofloor TCP design ensures that only one set of wheels can load each slab at any one time, reducing the flexural stress and changing the failure mode, allowing for a thinner slab to be cast for the same loading.

“Together, these technologies solve recurring problems in conventional external concrete pavements and hardstands,” says Engelbrecht. “Optipave VRS, a technology from the RCR Industrial Flooring Group, reduces tensile stress in the slab, eliminates the negative effects of curling and pumping, reduces slab thickness and allows minimal joint opening and maintenance.”

The Optipave system is said to have a low carbon footprint, absorbing only 500 g/m2 of carbon dioxide. It is recommended for a wide range of applications including highways, industrial pavements, low-traffic roads and parking lots.

 “The optimised load distribution system and latest technologies in concrete also give Optipave a longer lifespan. This further enhances its cost effectiveness.”