| PROJECTS |
MVA Interlockers
FOR NEW STORAGE YARD A new storage area for newly manufactured vehicles at Ford Motor Company SA’s Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria has been overlain with M VA Bricks’ I nterlocker, a ha rd-wea r i ng 6 0 m m interlocking concrete block paver. The project was completed in December 2020, three months ahead of schedule. Designed by ViKO Consulting Engineers and covering just over 58 000m², the newly-paved area forms part of an expansion project at the plant and provides a visually appealing parking surface for 2 100 completed vehicles awaiting domestic and international shipment.
It increases the current and shipment yard, all done in interlocking pavers, from 146 000m² to 204 000m². Until the fourth quarter of 2022, it will store Ford Rangers, Everests and Range Raptors. However, from the first quarter of 2023, it will only store the Ford Ranger, but in much larger volumes. Ryan Prinsloo of main contractor, PR Projects & Civil Works, says the paving involved the excavation of unsuitable soil which was removed from site and rehabilitated. “The sub-base comprises 150mm of compacted G5 aggregate and bedding sand. In addition to its interlocking paver,
MVA supplied us with channel kerbing for the edging of the paved surface. “The paved area is sloped, draining stormwater into V drains which were constructed with concrete to falls. Concrete plinths were installed for the construction of carports, which were roofed with solar panels.” MVA general manager Brennan Small says interlocking concrete block paving is the ideal surface for vehicle storage. “The interlocking action of the MVA interlocker facilitates excellent load distribution. Interlocking creates a strong bond between the pavers, which makes them resistant to movement under traffic. And by spreading the load, interlockers lower base-layer requirements. “What’s more, interlockers are skid-resistant and perform well with stop/start traffic and the turning/slewing of wheels. They’re also resistant to petrochemicals and other contaminant spillage and their outstanding durability means they’ll last for many years,” says Small. Like other types of concrete block pavers, interlockers can be removed to allow access to services and then replaced without visible evidence of the removal.
(Top): MVA interlockers during the laying of Ford SA’s new vehicle storage area. (Above): MVA interlockers were used to create a hardwearing surface for Ford SA’s new vehicle storage area. (Left): Ford SA’s new vehicle storage area.
PRECAST | ISSUE TWO | 2021
37
