
Concrete Parking Lots
Concrete parking lots are a necessary evil in the world of modern construction. They are an eyesore, to be sure, but they serve an important purpose. Most commercial and institutional buildings have a parking lot associated with them, and it is usually the first (and last) thing people see when they visit the property. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of concrete parking lots and some of the special requirements for their design and construction.
What is a concrete parking lot?
A concrete parking lot is a paved area for vehicles to park. It can be an open space, typically in front of businesses, or it can be a multi-level structure that includes pedestrian walkways, lighting and landscaping. This type of paved area has become a staple for commercial properties, schools, hospitals and even residential homes.
Concrete parking lots have become increasingly popular among many property owners because of their durability and relatively low cost. Concrete is easier to maintain than asphalt, and repairing damaged spots is less expensive than with asphalt pavement. In addition, concrete doesn’t deform under heavy loads like asphalt can do.
Types of parking lots:
There are two common types of parking lots:
Surface Parking Lots:
These parking lots are constructed on the surface and do not require excavation. Most of the time, these parking lots are constructed in urban areas where there are plenty of buildings to accommodate the large number of cars.
Underground Parking Lots:
This type of parking lot is built under a building or plaza and requires excavation for construction. These parking lots are commonly found in countries with limited space for construction. In addition, these underground lots have many hidden benefits which you may not have thought about.
Why to choose concrete over asphalt
Concrete is a great material to use for parking lots, and there are several reasons to choose concrete over asphalt. The first reason is that concrete outlasts asphalt. In a recent study conducted by the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA), researchers examined the life cycle costs of different pavement designs in six cities in the United States. They found that “concrete pavements cost less to build, maintain, and rehabilitate over a 50-year period than other pavement types.” The study also found that “concrete does not need to be resurfaced as often as asphalt and lasts longer.” In the long run, it’s cheaper to build a concrete lot than an asphalt one.
Benefits of using concrete instead of asphalt
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from using concrete instead of asphalt:
- It’s more durable and has a longer lifespan
- It requires less maintenance
- It’s less likely to crack or become damaged by salt or oil
- It’s easier on your vehicles’ tires when driving over rough surfaces like potholes or cracks in the pavement
- It looks better than asphalt because it doesn’t have lines painted on top of it or oil stains all over its surface area
Reasons why a building owner should pave his parking lots with concrete.
There are many reasons why a building owner should pave his parking lots with concrete. Here are just a few of the reasons:
1. It’s extremely durable and offers great value for money. It can withstand heavy loads as well as severe weather conditions for many years. It also requires very little maintenance over its lifetime.
2. It is highly flexible, which makes it ideal for steep slopes. If the slope is steeper than 20%, asphalt may not be able to hold up over time, but concrete will be fine.
3. Unlike asphalt, concrete can be made porous, which prevents the accumulation of rainwater on the surface and reduces the risk of flooding. In addition to being safer, a porous parking lot often has lower stormwater management fees than a nonporous one.
4. Concrete can look very attractive in comparison to asphalt especially if coloured or stamped concrete is used. This property makes it perfect for commercial applications as it can help improve a business’ image and attract more customers by enhancing its curb appeal.
5. Concrete pavement will not deteriorate over time like asphalt will. The only maintenance that a concrete pavement would require is filling in cracks that occur with the changing of the seasons and the freezing and thawing of water that gets into the concrete.
6. An asphalt parking lot will have to be repaved every ten years or so, whereas a concrete parking lot can last for decades.
7. A concrete parking lot can take on any shape or design, making it easier to fit it into any space where you need a parking lot. It can also be installed on hillsides and other sloping areas where an asphalt parking lot could not be installed because of the risk of erosion from rainwater runoff from the surface of an asphalt parking lot.
Design
Parking lots are subject to greater loads than other concrete applications. Because these loads are static (or low speed), flatness and smoothness are not as important as they are for streets and highways. A good subbase, drainage, proper thickness, and traction are more critical for parking lots.
Designing a parking lot usually follows the ACI 330R-08 standard, although the design process shown in that document is based on the Portland Cement Association’s thickness design method. This nomograph will help you determine the design thickness for a pavement, based on the subgrade reaction (k), the expected loads (how heavy the vehicles will be), and the number of load repetitions that is expected over the 20-year pavement life.
There are some key things to keep in mind when designing a concrete parking lot:
-Design the lot to properly drain water
-Use some type of pavement reinforcement, such as steel fibers, to ensure strength and durability.
-Specify concrete that is at least 4 inches thick for a residential driveway and 6 inches thick for most commercial parking lots. Ideally, the concrete should be reinforced with steel.
-Ensure that the contractor follows all specifications from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and uses an ACI-certified technician to test the concrete so it has the proper strength.
-Inspect the lot regularly to ensure that it is well-maintained and that cracks are repaired in a timely manner.
FAQ’s
What are the special requirements for designing and constructing a concrete parking lot?
The design of concrete parking lots should consider end-user needs and requirements, as well as local climate conditions, soil characteristics and the area’s groundwater table. The design must integrate the functional elements of a parking lot with its aesthetic qualities, such as color and texture. Concrete parking lots are typically designed for a minimum design life of 25 years.
What about cracking in concrete parking lots?
Cracking is the most common concern when it comes to concrete pavements, including parking lots. While some types of cracks are inevitable, there are steps that can be taken during both the design phase and construction phase to minimize or even eliminate cracking. The best way to prevent cracks is through proper jointing in the pavement design. Additionally, concrete pavement’s inherent structural strength allows transverse contraction joints to be spaced further apart than those in asphalt pavements; this reduces the number of joints that can crack and leak over time.
How long does it take to build a concrete parking lot?
It takes approximately 1-2 days (8-16 hours) to build a concrete parking lot. The precise time depends on the size of the parking lot and the number of workers who are assigned to the job.
Do concrete parking lots cost more than asphalt?
Yes, but there are many reasons why a well-designed concrete parking lot is much more economical in the long run. For example, concrete lasts longer and requires less maintenance than asphalt, so it’s cheaper over the life of a project. The initial cost may be higher (sometimes much higher), but the long-term savings are considerable.
What can I expect for maintenance costs?
Maintenance costs are generally low. Concrete parking lots can last for more than 20 years, and typically require only minor repairs. Maintenance typically involves applying a seal coat to protect the surface from water and chemicals, filling in cracks and holes, and repairing joints around the edges of the parking lot (the concrete will expand and contract over time, which tends to push up individual slabs).
How long does concrete last?
Concrete mix lasts at least 25 years, but it can last much longer. Once concrete has cured and hardened, the curing process has reached its end. Once the curing process stops, the concrete is said to have reached its “design life” or “end of service life”. A properly designed and constructed parking lot will last for many years. It will remain a safe place for parking lots to provide a reliable, year-round function without requiring any maintenance at all (even in extreme cold or hot weather).
What kind of rebar is used in parking lots?
Rebar is the steel reinforcement used in concrete slabs, walls, and other structures to increase tensile strength and prevent cracks. Grade 60 or higher rebar is used in parking lots. If a lower grade of rebar is used, it will likely not be able to withstand the weight. Grade 60 rebar has a higher carbon content than lower grades and offers higher yield and tensile strengths.
Why does my parking lot need to be sloped and drained?
The answer is simple: water. Water can cause many problems with your pavement. It can freeze, expand and crack your pavement, leak into joints and erode the base of your parking lot. That’s why it’s important to have your parking lot sloped and drained the right way.
Conclusion
ABC Concrete Services can prepare this request for concrete parking lots as per your request and also we used to provide our best services to our clients. So, if you want to get more information about our services then you can feel free to contact us. We are always ready to listen to your valuable suggestions.