Gravel pavements are “hot”, but have one major drawback, however. If they are frequently walked or driven over, the gravel may start to shift.
The comfort of the gravel pavement may suffer greatly as a result.
Past solution
You may opt for gravel with a multitude of fine particles. This will allow the gravel to stay in place (e.g. a gravel type of 0-5 mm or 0-15 mm). However, the greater the number of fine particles, the lower the water permeability. This creates puddles, potholes and rutting, and causes the fine particles to stick to one’s shoes …
Solution: ECCOgravel gravel grids
ECCOgravel gravel grids hold the gravel in place and the grids are covered with a top layer of gravel. The result is a functional and stable gravel surface with a sleek and modern appearance that is perfectly permeable.
ECCOgravel is the gravel stabilisation with very high compressive strength in filled and unfilled states and uses the most sophisticated bonding techniques. The polyester geotextile is thermally bonded, which reduces the risk of gravel getting under the gravel grid to zero.
ECCOgravel grids are available in:
- 3 colours: white, grey and black
- 2 heights: 3 cm and 4 cm
The 3 cm and 4 cm ECCOgravel gravel grids have similar properties (torque resistance, pressure resistance, flexibility, …).
However, load distribution onto the foundation is better with a 4-cm grid than with the 3-cm one.
Example
1. Place a sheet of paper on your hand and hit it with a hammer.
2. Place a phone book on your hand and hit it with a hammer.
Conclusion: the distribution of forces is better in the second case. If we apply this logic to ECCOgravel then we may conclude that the foundation will be under less pressure when the grid is higher. ECCOgravel 30 Double grids can be used for vehicular applications, on condition that the foundation put in place is very sturdy. The added cost for this additional reinforcement does not outweigh the costs saved by choosing a thinner grid.
ECCOgravel grids are produced in Belgium, from start to finish. This allows us not only to make quick deliveries, but also to apply stringent quality parameters.
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Frost-resistant HDPE gravel grids
ECCOgravel grids are frost-resistant grids made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). Gravel surfacing made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) remains flexible at all times, even at freezing temperatures down to – 20°C. Gravel grids made of different materials would break under cold temperatures.
ECCOgravel grids have a pressure resistance when filled of up to 400 tonnes/m². Unfilled, the grids have a pressure resistance of 90 tonnes/m². Pressure resistance is important because it indicates the maximum extent to which the grid can be loaded. Thanks to its high pressure resistance, the ECCOgravel sheet is ideally suited for constructing your driveway, car parks, firebreaks, etc.
Pressure resistance is not all that matters in a gravel grid, torque resistance is also very important. When driving a car over gravel grids, you do not only exert pressure, but maneuvering (twisting and turning) also exerts torque forces on the substrate. The importance of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) also plays a role here: thanks to this composition, ECCOgravel grids remain flexible and will not break or deform over time. Moreover, all ECCOgravel grids have synthetic reinforcements between the honeycombs in order to enhance torque resistance.
Not only the composition of the grid is given a lot of attention, the anti-rooting mat (also called geotextile) is also selected with great care. The geotextile ensures that pebbles do not end up underneath the grid. The geotextile for ECCOgravel grids is 100% bonded, preventing this issue from occurring. In addition, the geotextile is manufactured from polyester, which is a high-strength material. The geotextile is not only exceedingly strong, it also has an open structure. This ensures that rainwater permeates into the substrate quickly, allowing the gravel surface to remain clean. Lastly, plants and grasses also have a harder time attaching, preventing the growth of weeds.
ECCOgravel gravel grids are available in white, grey or black.
ECCOgravel gravel grids provide a permeable pavement that has a natural appearance.
The combination of the water-permeable geotextile and the sturdy honeycomb structure prevents rutting and puddles, windblown dust and ensures that the gravel does not shift or get underneath the gravel grids after installation.
ECCOgravel grids have a wide range of applications:
- Terraces
- Footpaths and garden paths
- Driveways
- Car parks
- Rooftop terraces
- Firebreaks
- …
ECCOgravel gravel grids provide a stable surface that is walkable and passable, even with a bicycle, wheelchair or pram and in all weather conditions.
To mark out parking spaces on an ECCOgravel surface, ECCOmarkers parking place markers are the ideal solution.
The installation of ECCOgravel grids is a quick and easy process. Before you start, select the grid type you require carefully and choose the correct foundation depth.
A step-by-step plan for the installation of the grids can be found in the text below.
Step 1: Excavation
Perform the necessary excavation works. Always remove the topsoil.
Step 2: Borders
Install the borders. They should be 2 cm above the level of the top of the grid. More information on our borders can be found here.
Step 3: Foundation (Only for vehicular applications)
Place the foundations/sub-foundation at a depth of at least 25 cm. Work in layers of 20 cm at the most, and compact with a plate compactor. The foundations may consist of limestone rubble, porphyry rubble, or crushed concrete rubble (chip size: 0-32 mm or 0-40 mm). We advise against brick rubble, as it pulverises over time.
Step 4: Levelling layer
Add the fine gravel, compact and level. The depth of the levelling layer for vehicular applications must be 5 cm, for non-vehicular applications 15 cm. The levelling layer may consist of limestone or porphyry (chip size: 2-4 mm, 1-3 mm, or 0-4 mm) or sieved sand.
Step 5: Installing the ECCOgravel gravel grids
Install ECCOgravel with overlapping geotextile. Cut with a disk cutter. Lay the grids in stretcher bond.
Step 6: Gravel
Add the gravel. It is not recommended to drive on unfilled grids. Level with a shovel, brush, rake, and squeegee. Do not compact the ornamental gravel. Allow the gravel to exceed the grids by 1 to 2 cm (1cm for finer and 2 cm for coarser types of gravel). Due to natural compaction, the gravel will still slightly settle. Eventually, there should be just enough gravel to hide the ECCOgravel grid. For vehicular applications, we recommend a chip size of 8 to 16 mm (smaller types of gravel get stuck in tire treads, while larger chip sizes are aesthetically less pleasing). For non-vehicular applications we recommend a chip size of 4 to 8 mm (smaller types of gravel will pulverise over time).
Step 7: Inspection and final levelling
Inspect and level a few weeks after initial use. Add gravel where necessary. Sinking will no longer occur.
Properties of the honeycomb structure
- Grid dimensions (*): 160 x 120 cm
- Grid height (**): 4 cm (ECCOgravel 40) or 3 cm (ECCOgravel 30)
- Honeycomb diameter: 43 mm
- HDPE density: 0,95 g/cm³
- Honeycomb material: 100% HDPE – high-density polyethyleen
- 100% recyclable material: Yes (white, grey and black)
- 100% recycled material: Yes (grey and black) / No (white)
- Breaking strain, unfilled: ISO 844 – 90 ton/m²
- Breaking strain, filled: ISO 844 – tot 400 ton/m²
Geotextile properties
- Material: Nonwoven polyester
- Colour: white
- Geotextile weight: 50 g/m²
- Geotextile bonding: Adhesion resistance to honeycomb structure
- Geotextile overlap: On two sides of the grid
- Tensile strength: 65 N/5 cm (EN 29073/3)
- Resistance to cracking: 70 N (DIN 53363)
Mechanical properties:
- Flexibility: Very high
- Chemical stability: Very high
- UV-stability: long-term exposure : yes / When stored indoors: n/a
- Coefficient of thermal expansion: n/a (expansion forces are absorbed by the flexibility of the grid)
- Cold temperatures: Retains its flexibility
Practical properties
| Height (**) |
Length x width (*) |
m²/grid |
gravel/m² |
| 4 cm |
160 x 120 cm |
1,92 |
80 kg |
| 3 cm |
160 x 120 cm |
1,92 |
65 kg |
* with a tolerance of about 2 %
** with a tolerance of about 1,5 mm
