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2017 Brick in Architecture Awards Celebrate Outstanding Design

July 25 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

RESTON, Va.–The 2017 Brick in Architecture Awards honor 35 winners in 19 states for outstanding and resilient design that incorporates clay brick.

Judged by independent design professionals, the Brick Industry Association’s premier design competition generated 91 entries this year with Best in Class, Gold Silver and Bronze winners in eight categories.

“The winners demonstrate brick’s aesthetic flexibility, and its integral role in any sustainable, low maintenance and durable building strategy,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA’s president and CEO.

The eight Best in Class winners include:

Commercial
Apple Store, Williamsburg – Brooklyn, New York
Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Manufacturer: Glen-Gery Corporation
Distributor: Consolidated Brick & Building Supply Inc.
Mason Contractor: Structure Tech New York Inc.
Photographer 1: Peter Aaron
Photographer 2: Nic Lehoux

Educational (Higher Education)
Kent State University College of Architectural & Environmental Design – Kent, Ohio
Architect: Weiss/Manfredi
Associate Architect: Richard L. Bowen + Associates Inc.
Manufacturer: The Belden Brick Company
Distributor: W.L. Tucker Supply Company
Mason Contractor: Foti Contracting
Photographer: Jim Maguire Photography

Educational (K-12)
Fruitville Elementary School Classroom Building Addition – Sarasota, Florida
Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects
Manufacturer: The Belden Brick Company
Mason Contractor: Ron Kendall Masonry Inc.
Photographer 1: William Speer Photography
Photographer 2: Ryan Gamma Photography

Renovations (Additions) / Restoration (Restoring)
Dumbarton Oaks Fellowship House – Washington, D.C.
Architect: Cunningham | Quill Architects
Landscape Architect: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
Manufacturer: Redland Brick Inc.
Distributor: Potomac Valley Brick & Supply
Builder: Whiting Turner Contracting Company
Mason Contractor: Baltimore Masonry Inc.
Photographer: Robert Creamer

Municipal/Government
John W. Olver Transit Center, Net-Zero Energy Building – Greenfield, Massachusetts
Architect: Charles Rose Architects Inc.
Landscape Architect: GroundView LLC
Builder: Fontaine Brothers Inc.
Distributor: Spaulding Brick Company Inc.
Mason Contractor: Fontaine Brothers Inc.
Photographer 1: John Linden
Photographer 2: Peter Vanderwarker

Residential – Multifamily
The Aston – Washington, D.C.
Architect: Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS
Manufacturer 1: Triangle Brick Company
Manufacturer 2: Carolina Ceramics Brick Co.
Builder: Habte Sequar
Mason Contractor: Oak Tree Building Group
Photographer: Maxwell Mackenzie

Residential – Single Family
Kinsley – Oxford, Maryland
Architect: John Milner Architects Inc.
Manufacturer: Redland Brick Inc.
Builder: Heim Corp.
Mason Contractor: Spry Masonry
Photographer: Don Pearse Photographers Inc.

Paving & Landscaping
VIA 57 West – New York, New York
Landscape Architect: Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
Manufacturer: Whitacre Greer Co.
Distributor: Consolidated Brick & Building Supply Inc.
Mason Contractor: Prestige Stone & Pavers Corp.
Photographer 1: Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
Photographer 2: Alex Fradkin

Pictured above: VIA 57 West

This year’s judges were winners in last year’s competition: John Ciardullo, AIA – John Ciardullo, P.C.; James Lancaster, AIA – Overland Partners; Lee Ledbetter, AIA – Lee Ledbetter & Associates; Donovan Nelson, AIA – HGA Architects and Engineers and David Newcomb, AIA – Charles Hilton Architects.

Founded in 1934, BIA is the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction representing the nation’s distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products. 703-620-0010, www.gobrick.com.

Contacts

BIA
Lorelei Harloe, 703-362-2774
LH@LKHComm.com

Chris Kaboth Named Whitacre Greer President

April 25 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

We are pleased to announce that Chris Kaboth has been named President of the Whitacre Greer Company at the annual meeting of the common stockholders.

Chris worked in the plant during the summer months while studying at Otterbein University. After graduating, he returned to Whitacre Greer full-time, first working in the customer service office and later as Manager of Human Resources and Corporate Vice President of Finance. Most recently, Chris has served as Vice President of Operations. In addition to his undergraduate degree, Chris earned a Masters of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.

Chris resides in Canton, Ohio with his wife and two children. He is active in the community, serving on several nonprofit boards.

The Whitacre family announced Chris’ promotion to company employees April 17th with the following letter:

To All Employees,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the election of Chris Kaboth to the office of President by the Common Stockholders of Whitacre Greer Company. Janet will remain CEO and Chairman in order to oversee and ensure the long term progression toward our goals.

Chris has been with Whitacre Greer for over 10 years, and has worked in many aspects of our company, with this last year being in charge of all areas of production.

We are very pleased and proud that we have two members of the next generation of the Whitacre family to carry us into the future, as Chris and Stephen will both show the ability and desire to help each other and all of us in order to continue our family legacy.

As a family, we remain focused on the modernization of our manufacturing facility. We remain willing to invest all that we have in order to realize this goal.

We than you for all of your hard work, especially over the past year. We hope you will join us to look to a great future.

Lynn Whitacre-Cart Janet Kaboth John Whitacre III

Please help us welcome Chris to his new role at Whitacre Greer!

The Whitacre Greer Company is a leading producer of fired-clay paving bricks and fire bricks. Whitacre Greer paving products have been used in many prestigious projects throughout North America including The National World War Two Museum in New Orleans and Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. They are the pavers of choice for Emory University, The University of Dayton and other prominent institutions. The company was established in 1916 and is based in Alliance, Ohio.

Accessible Clay Brick Pavements

January 27 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

Technical Note 14E from the Brick Industry Association provides guidance related to the design, construction and maintenance of accessible pavements constructed of brick pavers that will serve all people, including those with disabilities. The text of the Technical Note is reprinted below. Please click here to download a PDF copy of Technical Note 14E.

INTRODUCTION

Clay pavers have been used in streets, sidewalks, paths and plazas for hundreds of years. They are chosen for their durability, long-lasting color, small scale, and ability to blend in with the surrounding area. While these are all desirable traits, more recent awareness of the needs of people with disabilities has refocused attention on other attributes of paving surfaces. People with disabilities make up a significant percentage of the population in the United States. People with limited mobility include those in wheelchairs or using crutches or other walking aids, as well as individuals who are blind or have low vision. With the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, and the subsequent publication of guidelines by the U.S. Access Board, requirements for accessible surfaces have been established. Research and prolonged use has documented that segmental clay paving systems can comply with provisions found within various accessibility guidelines. This Technical Note describes the ways that clay brick pavements can conform to accessibility requirements and be used as accessible routes.

While the information in this Technical Note is correct at the time of this writing, various updates to federal regulations are ongoing, so original sources should be checked for the most up-to-date information. In addition, there are various other requirements in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADA Standards) [Ref. 1] that are not addressed here that could potentially impact the provisions covered in this Technical Note. This Technical Note should not be the only source used when designing an accessible pavement.

Misinformation about Clay Brick Pavements and Accessibility

It is important to maintain the proper perspective when evaluating existing brick paving systems that were designed and constructed prior to the advent of or without regard to ADA Standards. Such pavements were never intended to perform as accessible pavements. This is true for all pavement categories, including segmental, monolithic and other paving systems. Obviously, whether accessible or not, older paving systems should undergo maintenance or repairs to ensure that they meet both old and new performance requirements. Older pavements that have not received proper maintenance should not be expected to meet accessibility requirements.

Pavements using segmental pavers behave differently from monolithic slabs of concrete or other materials. It is often erroneously assumed that monolithic slabs are superior to segmental paver pavements because they have fewer joints; however, research shows that both types of pavements can be smooth enough to achieve accessibility requirements. In fact, the amount of work required for wheelchair users to cross segmental pavements may be less than for other pavement types. A frequent criticism of segmental pavements is that they have too many joints, which result in more vibrations to wheelchair users; however, vibration measurements conclude that the narrow joints in segmental pavements result in less severe vibrations than control joints in concrete slabs. Certainly larger joints, or pavers with large chamfers, can create a more irregular surface, but limiting chamfer size or joint size will result in the desired performance.

There is also a misconception that pavers normally become loose or misaligned over time, creating a tripping hazard. Pavers around street trees can become uneven over time due to growing roots forcing the pavers upward. This can be minimized with appropriate selection of plants or trees, root control and maintenance. Often, a segmental pavement will provide smoother surface transitions than the more abrupt changes in level that occur in monolithic concrete because the frequency of joints results in smaller incremental changes between pavers. Pavements constructed with segmental pavers are much easier to repair than poured concrete, resulting in simpler and less costly maintenance.

Research on Accessibility of Pavements Made with Clay Pavers

The clay and concrete paver industries, along with various federal agencies, funded a series of research projects to determine the effects of pavements constructed with pavers on people with disabilities. The research was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and led by Dr. Rory A. Cooper, Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratory. The research attempted to determine criteria for defining a pedestrian access route that does not require excessive propulsive work for people using wheelchairs, nor expose them to potentially harmful vibrations. While propelling a wheelchair, users encounter obstacles such as bumps, curb descents, and uneven surfaces. These obstacles cause vibrations on the wheelchair and, in turn, the wheelchair user, which through extended exposure can cause low-back pain, disc degeneration and other harmful effects to the body. Various paver designs were tested, including pavers with small chamfers, large chamfers and no chamfers. Two different bond patterns were also used as a variable. The following statement from the research summarizes the conclusions of the study:

“Based on the manual and power wheelchair results of this study, use of selected…pavers would be acceptable for any route traveled by individuals using wheelchair[s]. The results are as good as, and in some cases better, than that of a standard sidewalk surface. A [chamfer width] less than or equal to 6mm [0.24 in.] must be used for routes used by individuals using wheelchairs. Furthermore, a 90 degree herringbone pattern is preferred over the 45 degree pattern, while the 90 degree herringbone pattern is required for the 6mm [0.24 in.] [chamfered] pavers to maintain safe levels of vibration exposure.”

Pavers having chamfers not greater than 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) wide allow the front wheel (5 in. [126 mm] diameter or larger) of a wheelchair to span the distance between the top surfaces of the pavers without creating undue stress on the wheelchair user. The joints created by pavers with chamfers larger than this may cause discomfort. This information can be used to distinguish pavements designed for accessibility from those that are not. Current research is under way to develop a rollability index similar to that used for roadways. This index will assist in measuring the roughness of a surface.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCESSIBLE PAVEMENTS

The ADA Standards establish minimum design requirements for public and private buildings and facilities that promote access for people with disabilities. The U.S. Access Board is also developing guidelines that cover disability access provisions for pedestrian areas along public rights-of-way. These Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG), when published as a final rule, are anticipated to become the basis of enforceable standards issued by governmental agencies.

The ADA Standards and PROWAG mandate several surface profile requirements applicable to all pavement systems. The designer should be aware of maximum permissible gradients and other requirements that often are overlooked when focusing on pavement surface requirements.

In addition to planning and designing in accordance with these guidelines, all pavement types need regular maintenance programs capable of preserving the safe and serviceable condition of these routes. Specific requirements especially pertinent to clay pavers relate to surface properties, changes in level, joints and detectable warning surfaces.

Surface

The ADA Standards and PROWAG require an accessible surface to be firm, stable and slip resistant. Smoothness of the entire pavement also may be an important criterion, because disabled pedestrians and wheelchair users may be more sensitive to trip hazards and vibrations. Properly designed, installed and maintained clay paver surfaces achieve the required smoothness. Even when properly designed, installed and maintained, all pavement systems may be subject to heaving and settlement of underlying soils that result in changes in level. Research has shown that the vibration on clay paver surfaces is comparable to or less than that of poured concrete and other common paving materials. Simple maintenance should be conducted on these surfaces to maintain their smoothness.

Changes in Level and Paver Lippage

Both the ADA Standards and PROWAG allow a change in level (surface discontinuity) up to 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) to be untreated. Each also permits a maximum change in level of 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) maximum, but the ADA Standards require this change in level to be sloped (beveled) not steeper than 1:2. The PROWAG also requires a maximum slope (bevel) of 1:2 for this change in level but further mandates that the slope (bevel) be applied across the entire change in level.

With respect to pavers, changes in level (differences in elevation of the top surfaces of adjacent pavers) should be kept to a minimum through careful design and installation and should be maintained as part of a regular maintenance program. Changes in level can result from heaving or settling of the pavement base and more frequently occur at features that penetrate the paver layer, such as metal utility box frames and utility hole covers.

Joints

The ADA Standards do not specifically cover joint widths, but it does have requirements for openings in gratings, which should be considered due to their similarity. The PROWAG and ADA Standards include requirements for horizontal openings in walkway joints and gratings. Both documents state that openings in ground surfaces may not allow passage of a sphere more than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) wide. Such an opening would be more than twice the typical width of joints between pavers in pavements with sand and bituminous setting beds that are typically 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) to 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) wide. Joints in permeable clay pavements are generally between 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) and 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) wide. Joints between pavers in a mortar setting bed are generally 3⁄8 in. (9 mm) to 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) wide but are filled with mortar and thus are not generally considered openings.

Detectable Warning Surfaces

The PROWAG requires detectable warning surfaces between pedestrian and vehicular transitions. A detectable warning surface consists of a pattern of truncated domes sized to have a base diameter of at least 0.9 in. (23 mm) but not more than 1.4 in. (36 mm), a top diameter of a minimum of 50 percent to a maximum of 65 percent of the base diameter, and a height of 0.2 in. (5 mm). Clay pavers can be made with truncated domes in a variety of colors that conform to these requirements.

The ADA Standards require truncated domes to be placed on a square grid with a center-to-center spacing between 1.6 in. (41 mm) and 2.4 in. (61 mm), and a base-to-base spacing of 0.65 in. (17 mm) minimum, measured between the most adjacent domes. The PROWAG requires truncated domes to be placed in either a square or a radial grid pattern meeting the same dimensional layout requirements as set forth in the ADA Standards.

The PROWAG also covers curb ramps and blended transitions, which are not covered in the ADA Standards. Curb ramps and blended transitions require detectable warning surfaces to extend 24 in. (610 mm) minimum in the direction of travel for their full width. Flares of curb ramps are not required to have a detectable warning surface. Both the ADA Standards and PROWAG require detectable warning surfaces to extend 24 in. (610 mm) from rail platform boarding edges. At pedestrian at-grade rail crossings, a detectable warning surface is required to be placed no less than 6 ft (1.8 m) and no more than 15 ft (4.6 m) from the centerline of the nearest rail. In addition, detectable warning surfaces are required to contrast visually with adjacent walking surfaces by using either light- on-dark or dark-on-light colors.

SPECIFICATION OF ACCESSIBLE PAVEMENTS

Selection of Appropriate Paving System

While creating a clear and smooth route for individuals with mobility impairments is an important consideration when choosing a pavement system, performance and maintenance requirements must also be considered. Any brick paving system as shown in Technical Note 14 can be used as an accessible walkway or surface, but special attention should be paid to the joints between the pavers and surface features such as uneven textures and larger chamfers, which may inhibit mobility.

Pavements designed as permeable pavements may have characteristics that appear to be in conflict with accessible pavements, since permeable pavements rely on larger joints to allow water to infiltrate the paving surface. In permeable pavements, void area is not the determinant to infiltration; rather it is the aggregate used between the pavers and the layers below that allows infiltration. Specific aggregates are used that can achieve optimal infiltration as well as joint filling. In addition, most clay pavers are manufactured with minimal chamfers, which have less impact on the overall joint width. Both accessible and permeable pavements can be achieved by following design requirements for each. As an alternative, a permeable pavement could be designed to surround an impermeable accessible pathway. Other Technical Notes in this series discuss permeable pavements.

Since maintenance of pavements occurs infrequently (or not at all), pavement designs that allow the surface to remain stable over its life should be considered. Often, pavements that are constructed with a sand setting bed are easier and less expensive to maintain. Those laid with mortar joints will require more maintenance due to the mortar having a shorter life span than the pavers. Since the base of the pavement has such a great effect on the stability of the pavement, it should be strong enough to resist infrequent overloading, prolonged saturation and/or severe freeze/thaw conditions. Refer to Technical Note 14 for discussion on brick paving assembly characteristics.

Surface Texture and Coefficient of Friction

The paver surface should also be considered in the selection of materials. Most wire-cut, pressed and molded pavers will provide a surface that does not inhibit the mobility of people with disabilities. Pavers that are heavily textured, such as tumbled pavers, may not provide suitable surfaces due to the increase in vibration for wheelchair users. Surfaces with higher coefficients of friction and slip resistance are also desired. While no generally accepted guidelines for the slip resistance of all walking surfaces under all conditions exists, advisory information suggests a static slip resistance value of 0.6 on horizontal surfaces and 0.8 on ramps. Clay pavers commonly have slightly roughened surfaces, such as wire-cut or sanded surfaces, which provide the desired slip resistance without detrimentally affecting the accessibility of the pavement.

Chamfers and Lugs. Many clay pavers have chamfers (bevels) on their top edges. Some clay pavers also have lugs (spacers) on their sides to create uniform joint widths. The main purpose of chamfers is to reduce chippage on pavers and avoid direct contact between the top edges of adjacent pavers. Chamfers also create an interesting visual pattern and may help channel water off of the pavement surface. While chamfers and lugs can be desirable features on clay pavers, as their size increases, there is often an increase in the vibration experienced by wheelchair users as they roll across them. If the chamfer on each paver is equal to or less than 1⁄4 in. (6 mm), then the resulting vibration should fall within the guidelines determined by the research mentioned previously. Similarly, the width of lugs should be considered so that recommended joint widths for various paving systems are not exceeded.

Bond Pattern. The bond pattern in which pavers are laid also has an impact on the vibration of wheelchairs. Patterns that result in joint lines parallel to the direction of travel generate the fewest vibrations. If pavers are laid in a herringbone pattern, which is typical of sand-set brick pavers, then less vibration is produced by a 90-degree herringbone as compared with a 45-degree herringbone pattern (Photo 9). The same can be said of a running bond pattern where the longitudinal joints are aligned with the direction of travel (Photo 10). When pavers with less than 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) chamfers are used, research indicates that acceptable vibration levels are produced by any pattern.

Joints. Joints serve an important function in a segmental pavement; however, each profile has unique issues to consider. A mortared brick pavement can serve as an acceptable surface, but the mortar joints should be specified to be cut flush or to have a very shallow profile. This creates a smoother or more even surface. This is preferable for drainage as well, since water will flow more quickly off of a pavement with shallower joints.

Flexible paving requires a small amount of sand in between the pavers. Sand joints should be as small as possible, but not so small that sand cannot be swept into the joints. An appropriate sand joint size is between 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) and 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) wide. Sand-set pavers, often erroneously called “hand- tight” paving, should not have pavers directly touch one another with no sand filling the joints. This does not allow pavement interlock and promotes chipping. However, gaps wider than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) may result in more noticeable vibration for the wheelchair user. Figure 2 shows appropriate paver joint configurations for accessible pavements. Although one wide joint in an entire field of brick paving may not be noticeable, joints that are consistently wider than recommended may result in an uneven surface due to shifting of pavers that have not developed sufficient interlock. Figure 3 provides a typical section of a pavement that can be used as an accessible pavement.

Street Trees and Utilities

Trees located within or along sidewalks provide many benefits to a community. While trees are a beautiful addition, their growth can create problems for the pavements surrounding them. In many cases, the roots of trees are what cause upheaval of a pavement (Photo 11). Tree roots can be cut back as they grow, but that harms the trees and may cause them to die.

First, consider specifying trees with less disruptive growth patterns beneath the surface, as well as above ground. Design or specify root barriers, or make the area surrounding the tree larger. Root barriers force the roots to grow down rather than spreading underneath the pavement. Not only do root barriers protect the surrounding pavement, but they also strengthen the tree by causing the roots to extend deeper into the soil. Larger soil areas allow the proper amount of water and air to reach the roots and allow the tree to grow into an area that is appropriate to its size. Various guides are available that provide design and implementation guidance for trees in urban areas, including preferred soil type around trees, size of tree grates and other information on coordinating these features with accessible routes. Permeable pavements are a potential alternative to tree grates, since they allow percolation yet can still function as an accessible path.

Below-grade service entrances, utility boxes, and other features that penetrate the surface can also disrupt a smooth brick pavement. Two issues to consider are the change in level and the gap between the brick pavers and the metal box enclosing the unit. The same tolerances for installation of brick pavers as mentioned below can be used for these elements. Consideration should be given to utility units that have a transition or a beveled edge.

Curb Cuts

Curb cuts and driveway entrances create sidewalks that rise and fall along an accessible route. Keeping these to a minimum reduces tripping hazards and the amount of work required by wheelchair users. Design curb cuts with a longer transition or flared sides to avoid abrupt drops. The maximum slope ratio of flared sides that complies with the ADA Standards and PROWAG is 1:10. Care must be used in planning the installation of pavers that transition between different elevations in a short distance to avoid unusual cuts or excess lippage between units. All tolerances for brick pavements apply at these locations as well. Curb cuts also require a detectable warning surface adjacent to the road. Brick pavers are available with the truncated domes that comply with the ADA Standards and PROWAG requirements. Consideration of materials that are permanent should take precedence over overlay materials that have a limited lifespan.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Installation procedures can have an impact on the performance of the pavement. Pavements installed using recommended procedures will require less maintenance as the pavement ages. Information found in Technical Notes 14A, 14B and 14C for each of the pavement types will ensure that the minimum requirements are followed. The tolerances for pavements found in this Technical Note and others in this series conform to requirements found in the ADA Standards and other accessibility documents. Generally, the surface level of a pavement should not vary more than ±3⁄8 in. (10 mm) within a 10 ft (3 m) measurement. Lippage between two pavers or a paver and the surrounding elements should be no more than 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) for an accessible route. The maximum joint or gap between pavers or adjacent elements should be no more than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm). A smaller difference in height between two pavers decreases the chance of a tripping hazard and allows for a smoother pavement. As the width of joints increases, vibration generally becomes more severe, and pavers are more likely to shift, move or be lifted out of place.

When individual units are not placed within the tolerance requirements, they can be removed and replaced in a manner that brings them into compliance with project or code requirements. Pavers set in sand are more easily replaced than those set in mortar or on a bituminous setting bed.

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

All pavements should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Some owners, public and private, often ignore these recommendations, resulting in small or localized failures that become larger problems as time passes, requiring more costly repairs. Seasonal maintenance procedures, such as snow removal, may also require immediate attention.

Maintenance

Inspection of paving surfaces should be conducted on a regular basis, but at least yearly. For public streets and sidewalks, members of the public are often the ones to alert public works officials to a problem. These issues should be dealt with as soon as possible, since localized problems tend to get worse over time. Two areas that should receive special attention are areas around penetrations, which may settle differently from the pavement, and other areas that are depressed or where sand loss from between the pavers is noticed.

If not designed and planted properly, street trees and their roots can cause consternation not only to users, but also to maintenance crews when they cause upheaval of the pavement. All paving systems, including segmental, monolithic and other paving systems, can be subject to pressure and upheaval from tree roots. While root barriers should be specified during initial design, it is possible to install them years after planting a tree; however, root damage is likely to affect the tree’s health. Roots that are causing upheaval should be carefully cut away and the pavement reinstalled according to proper guidelines.

Excessive sand loss and subsequent movement of pavers is another common issue that if not properly addressed, may result in a more substantial pavement failure. When brick pavers set in sand are installed properly they interlock and create a firm, stable surface. Without the friction developed by sand in the joints, adjacent pavers can quickly lose interlock. Appropriate joint thicknesses, proper aggregates for joints, and compaction will keep sand in place in most cases. Resweeping of sand to fill the top surfaces of joints may be required on an infrequent basis. Joint sand stabilizers or polymeric sand may aid in preventing excessive sand loss, particularly on pavements subjected to vehicular traffic.

Snow removal

Snow removal is an important issue for all pedestrians, especially for the disabled. Prompt snow removal will aid in clearing a route and may allow melting to start to occur. Deicing chemicals may also be necessary to create a clear path. Permeable pavements typically do not require as much snow removal and de-icing than conventional pavements so their use should be considered.

SUMMARY

Clay pavers have served pedestrians in a variety of applications for hundreds of years. These systems can perform as accessible pavements when proper design, construction and maintenance requirements are followed. Design and construction recommendations for accessible clay brick pavements are essentially the same design and construction requirements for standard brick installations so no extra cost is usually involved. Regular inspection and maintenance of the pavement surface and surrounding elements will provide a smooth surface for decades to come.

The information and suggestions contained in this Technical Note are based on the available data and the combined experience of engineering staff and members of the Brick Industry Association. The information contained herein must be used in conjunction with good technical judgment and a basic understanding of the properties of brick masonry. Final decisions on the use of the informa- tion contained in this Technical Note are not within the purview of the Brick Industry Association and must rest with the project architect, engineer and owner.

Winter Clay Paver Maintenance

January 9 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

Appropriate winter clay paver maintenance can extend the life of your clay pavers. Clay paving brick can provide many years of reliable service when properly maintained. Follow these guidelines for winter maintenance and general cleaning of Whitacre Greer clay pavers.

CLAY PAVER GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Clay pavers are highly resistant to absorption of stains and can be kept clean in most environments by regular sweeping. Low pressure water can be helpful when removing soil. Detergents added to the water stream may speed the cleaning of soiled pavers. Proprietary cleaners such as Prosoco’s Sure Klean Vana Trol may be used if necessary. Follow the cleaner manufacturer’s directions. Acid- based cleaners should not be used on clay pavers. High pressure water may cause damage to clay pavers. High pressure water may also compromise sand filled joints.

EFFLORESCENCE

Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance that may occasionally appear on the surface of pavers. It is the product of soluble compounds normally found in other pavement components or underlying soils, which are deposited on the surface of the paver as absorbed water evaporates from the pavement surface. Soluble compounds absorbed by the pavement from deicing chemicals also may cause efflorescence. Efflorescence often can be vacuumed or brushed off the surface and removed from dry pavers. Washing downhill with water may temporarily dissipate soluble compounds by dissolving them. However, care must be taken to ensure that the contaminated water drains away from and does not re-enter the paving system. In many cases, efflorescence will be minimal and will wear away naturally with traffic and weathering during the early life of the pavement. If the salts are the result of groundwater or other more persistent water ingress, proprietary cleaners are available to assist in their removal. Proper surface and subsurface drainage are critical in these situations.

WINTER CLAY PAVER MAINTENANCE

ICE REMOVAL

Several proprietary chemical products are available for preventing and removing ice from paved surfaces that perform well and reduce potential staining of pavers. Among these are calcium magnesium acetate and urea. The former is preferred because it is more effective at lower temperatures. Deicing of pavements has been undertaken for many years using rock salt. This material contains calcium chloride and can cause efflorescence. Sand or grit used to provide traction on ice should be swept up after the freezing cycle to minimize grinding of the pavers. Ice scrapers should not be used.

SNOW REMOVAL

Clearing snow from clay pavements can be undertaken using plows, snow blowers, shovels and brushes as used for other pavements. Care must be taken to ensure that the blades of the equipment do not scrape the pavement surface in a manner that might cause chipping or scratches. Rubber or urethane blade edges can be used, or proper blade height can be maintained above the pavement surface using guide wheels. Any residual snow can be cleared with brushes. Some snow- clearing procedures use heavy equipment to stockpile and subsequently remove the snow from the property. If such equipment is used, the load capacity of the pavement should be adequately designed. Remove snow from Truncated Dome ADA pavers with brushes and brooms.

SUMMARY

Clay pavers are very durable and can withstand very harsh conditions. Follow these winter clay paver maintenance recommendations for the best results.

Whitacre Greer Permeable Boardwalk Brick Paver Permeability Testing

January 6 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

Boardwalk Paver Permeability Testing

In 2012 Whitacre Greer contracted with Gilmore & Associates to conduct paver permeability testing on a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania park project. The results of that testing appear below.

This letter summarizes the results of the surface infiltration testing conducted on Whitacre Greer’s permeable Boardwalk brick paver system at the above referenced site. To facilitate the study, Gilmore & Associates, Inc. (G&A) performed single-ring infiltration tests at three locations in Hawthorne Park on July 30, 2012. The Whitacre Greer permeable Boardwalk brick paver installation was completed in March 2012. The purpose of this investigation was to establish post-construction infiltration rates for stormwater passing through the pavement surface into the open-graded base materials. This testing did not examine infiltration of water into the soil subgrade.

SETTING

Hawthorne Park is a flat, relatively open site along 12 and Catharine Streets in Philadelphia. The brickwalkways are bordered by grass and planting beds, with small trees located sparsely throughout the site. See the attached Location Plan for the testing locations.

The brick pavement system at Hawthorne Park was installed on a compacted section of three aggregate layers listed from bottom to top as follows: a minimum of 12 inches of open-graded No. 1 aggregate placed over the soil subgrade; a 4-inch layer of No. 57 aggregate; and a 2-inch bedding layer of No. 9 aggregate. Non-woven geotextile fabric was placed on top of the soil subgrade prior to placing the No. 1 aggregate. No. 9 aggregate was placed within the paver unit joints. Based on information provided by the brick manufacturer, the herringbone brick layout of the pavement has 11 percent void space. A detailed design-and-build pavement cross-section taken from the site civil plans, prepared by LRSLA Studio, is attached for reference.

PROCEDURE

A single-ring infiltrometer was used to test the surface infiltration rate of the clay brick pavement per ASTM C1701. This testing method was developed for pervious concrete applications, but can be utilized for other permeable systems such as brick pavement systems. The single-ring infiltrometer consisted of a 0.25-inch gauge, 12-inch diameter, 10-inch high steel cylinder. The ring was placed on the pavement so that a representative infiltration area was exposed at the cylinder base and then sealed to the pavement surface with plumber’s putty. Water was added to the single-ring per ASTM C1701 and the time was recorded when the required amount infiltrated into the pavement system. The surface infiltration testing was performed two times at each location in accordance with the ASTM standard.

INFILTRATION RESULTS

An average surface infiltration rate of 561.6 inches per hour was observed at Location A. An average surface infiltration rate of 965.7 inches per hour was observed at Location B. An average surface infiltration rate of 870.3 inches per hour was observed at Location C. The average post-construction surface infiltration rate for the permeable Boardwalk paver system is 800 inches per hour. The infiltration results for the three locations are outlined in the Appendix.

FINDINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS

This testing supports the use of these clay brick pavement systems as a pervious (permeable) infiltration surface. The initial surface infiltration rate of the pavement system is significantly faster than what can be expected of most surface soils. Additionally, these results confirm that the pavement surface has an initial flow-through rate greater than 5 inches per hour, as specified in the site civil drawings.

Like all permeable surfaces, clay brick pavements can become clogged with sediment over time, leading to reductions in the surface infiltration rate. As stated in ICPI’s Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements Manual, traffic and sedimentation can vary widely with every project; therefore, regular surface cleaning is recommended at least once or twice in the first year, with more or less cleaning being performed as needed thereafter.

G&A recommends that infiltration testing be completed again in one year, so as to document the brick pavement’s performance and refine system maintenance recommendations as needed.

G&A appreciates the opportunity to provide Whitacre Greer with engineering consulting services. Please contact us with any questions.

Download the full report from Gilmore & Associates, Inc. here.

Paver Permeability Testing Whitacre Greer Boardwalk

Whitacre Greer Wins Residential and Commercial Design Awards during Hardscape North America Trade Show

November 21 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

CANTON, OHIO—November 17, 2016—With pavers and hardscape materials at their fingertips, designers cast their choice for Whitacre Greer’s beautiful clay pavers, which won awards in both residential and commercial hardscape categories recently during the 10th annual Hardscape North America Trade Show held in Louisville, Kentucky.

Designers from Nature’s Perspective Landscaping, located in Evanston, Illinois, developed the winning residential plans and had the ability to choose the vendors and products used for the projects.

“We chose Whitacre Greer as the manufacturer of the clay pavers as they have a timeless look and quality aesthetic. We added multiple artistic paver medallions made from Unilock’s Brussel block in the driveway to add a unique flair to the overall design,” said Tim Benz, designer for Nature’s Perspective Landscaping.

The residential project had a unique challenge due to a shared driveway, which was originally constructed from asphalt. The properties are located in a federal historic district, and the goal was to develop a cohesive and integrated plan that would be functional and aesthetically pleasing while complying with zone codes.

“We decided the pavers in the driveway needed to integrate with the clay face brick of the two properties. So we developed a customized channel drain, implemented other drainage solutions along with LED lighting fixtures and installed a large fountain in the center of the driveway turnaround. The client was pleased to have a beautiful driveway that will last a lifetime,” Benz added.

The Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture at Cox Arboretum MetroPark in Dayton, Ohio, won the clay brick permeable commercial category.
The renovation, conceptualized by Human Nature, Inc., a Cincinnati-based landscape architecture firm, added beauty, functionality and longevity to the Five River MetroParks sustainability initiative.

The challenge included renovation and reuse of an existing 40-year-old greenhouse complex in order to demonstrate how old and outdated structures can be transformed into state-of-the-art facilities without new development. The area was not available to the nearly 250,000 annual visitors, nor was it ADA accessible prior to the renovation.

Nearly 10,000 square feet of Whitacre Greer clay brick permeable pavers replaced asphalt and gravel, which resulted in a visually stunning gathering space for people to learn about native plant species. The paver layout and patterns direct visitors and help guide the interpretive process, while the permeable pavers provide ADA accessibility and help keep maintenance low. The winning design also included the addition of raised seat walls, which enhance visitor space.

“The advantage of using the pavers is they do not require closure of pathways during maintenance, unlike asphalt or concrete, so visitor impact is greatly reduced. We are proud and happy to be involved with this public education project and support environmentally friendly development,” said landscape architect and Five Rivers MetroParks planning manager, Eric Sauer.

For more information, visit HardscapeNA.com.

Whitacre Greer is a premier North American supplier of dry-pressed clay pavers based in Alliance, Ohio. The Whitacre Greer Company was founded in 1916 by J.J. Whitacre, a former member of the United States House of Representatives. This year marks the company’s centennial celebration. Today Whitacre Greer is owned and operated by the Whitacre family, and employs 90 people. The company’s president and CEO Janet Kaboth is a fourth-generation Whitacre who leads the company along with her siblings, John Whitacre, Jr. and Lynn Cart. Her sons Christopher and Stephen Kaboth also hold management positions with the company. For more information about the Whitacre Greer Company, visit https://www.wgpaver.com or follow us on social media channels, Facebook and Twitter.

Recommendations for a Proper Clay Paver Installation

October 17 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

We’re very fortunate to have many extremely talented people contributing to Whitacre Greer’s success. One is Andy Karas, Northeast Regional Sales Manager. Andy compiled these notes on clay paver installation. They’re based on his years as project manager for a national hardscape installation contractor and on what he sees in the field as he travels the country viewing Whitacre Greer projects. Please take a look. If you have questions, contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss best practices for installing clay pavers on your project. Thank you!

Specify that installer has experience. Successfully completed and can document projects that are similar in design and installation. Has experience with brick pavers, has included the specified material in their bid, and has an understanding of ASTM C-902 or C-1272 and the BIA Tech Note that applies to the project.
Pre-installation meetings are recommended to cover all aspects of the installation and materials. It is recommended that a distributor or manufacturer’s representative be included.
Sample panels and full system mockups should be constructed, documented (photographed) and approved by the landscape architect before work begins. Mockups shall be the standard of workmanship expected.
Typical industry standards for installation are:
- Provide 1/16” to 3/16” sand filled joints
- String and chalk lines must be used to keep bond lines straight. “Straight and true bond lines shall not deviate more than 1⁄2” at the end of 50 feet.”
- Surface flatness is to be +- 3/8” over 10 feet
- Lippage 1/8” maximum
- No work shall be done when materials are wet or frozen and for bituminous installations there are temperature constraints referenced in the BIA Tech Note 14B.
- Pavers must be blended from a minimum of three pallets unless they are factory blended.
- Bituminous set pavers should be rolled/compacted in order to achieve full bond and reduce lippage.
- Pavers must be protected when compacted using rubber rollers, pads on compactors, plywood or other means of protection.
All material must be inspected upon arrival and during installation by the contractor. Any irregularities must be reported immediately. Installing of any visually defective material by the contractor becomes the responsibility of the contractor.
Commercial/municipal vehicular installations should be 4x8x2 3⁄4”, beveled and lugged, in a herringbone pattern, with no paver less than 1/3 of a full unit. Traffic should not be allowed on pavers until the area is fully completed and the joints are completely filled with sand. Consult WG regional sales staff for boardwalk vehicular guidance.
All work must be protected from any damage by other trades, general construction traffic and all other traffic until project is accepted as complete.
Consult manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance documents. WG pavers are “sealed” with a siloxane-based water proofer. Always test small areas when applying any cleaning or sealing or other agent. This treatment does not prevent staining due to grease, oil and/or other contaminations.
Consult BIA’s Tech Notes, ASTM C902 and C1272 for additional information.
Review WG’s “Terms, Conditions and Warranty of Sale” available from your distributor.

Brick Industry Association Technical Notes (BIA), referenced above, are available here or at www.gobrick.com.

Download a copy of these clay paver installation recommendations.

Clay Paver Installation Recommendations Whitacre Greer

Janet’s Story Concludes

October 10 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

Our change in management philosophy began to pay off in many ways, most prominently through our safety programs, which were a high priority. We began to receive many awards for our safety record and received a special award in 2011 for going 533,615 hours without a lost time accident from 2007 to 2011. We also received awards from the Brick Industry Association and The Refractories Institute for our safety and environmental practices.

We have continued to improve the quality of our products and successfully added several new salespeople who have great knowledge in the industry. We continued our market presence of a high-quality, high-cost and specialized paver. We began to receive many awards from various industry groups for jobs using our pavers. In addition, Whitacre Greer received the 2015 Business Excellence award from the Canton Chamber of Commerce. We are looking to the paver market for continued growth, once we are able to produce more through the completion of the kiln renovation project.

Janet Kaboth, 2015

board-of-directors

4th and 5th Generation Whitacres

October 6 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

With the receipt of the money from the lease rights, we began the new grinding room project at the end of 2011. The new grinding room opened in March 2012 and from the first day, was a huge success, using some new technology and new equipment to allow us to grind more efficiently and consistently, with better costs and much less maintenance. The Chesapeake funds allowed us to spend over $7 million to improve areas at the plant during 2012, 2013 and 2014, beginning with the new grinding room. John III negotiated the Chesapeake deal. In one day, he made more money for Whitacre Greer than 96 years of profits from making clay products.

In addition to plant improvements, the Chesapeake funds also allowed us to clean up some of the past financial items that remained on our balance sheet. We terminated the two defined benefit pension plans that remained open although he had stopped any benefit accumulation in 1990 when we started our 401(k). Additionally, we retired the preferred shares, which had plagued us for years with the mandatory accrued dividend each year.

In 2013, we began to plan seriously for the next phase of our modernization – the renovation of the Swindell kiln. The original plan was to do the physical renovation at the end of 2014 in the the first quarter of 2015; however, the project financing was withdrawn before we could get started. We began to search for other financing avenues at the end of 2014 and in 2015, accepted an offer from Westfield Bank, in conjunction with the SBA 504 loan program. The renovation will begin in October 2015, to be completed in March 2016.

2016-03-15-12-01-22 2016-03-15-13-32-58 johns-brick-in-kiln

WG Envisions ‘Plant of Tomorrow’

October 3 in uncategorized by Colby | No Comments

In 2009, we began Whitacre Greer University. This is an annual one-day mandatory training day for all employees. Each year, we begin by talking about how the company is doing overall and giving an update on our long-term and short-term goals. This program has been successful and has helped in our culture change.

During 2010, we began to plan how to build the ‘Plant of Tomorrow’ to ensure our long-term viability. The cost to build a new paver facility was estimated around $20 million, well beyond our financial means. At this point, we split the cost into five different projects, each to cost around $5 million. It was our intention to have each project pay for itself, then move to the next one. The project are a new grinding room, kiln renovation of the Swindell kiln, kiln renovation for the Miller kiln, automation of the setting process and automation of the unloading process.

2011 found us planning for a new grinding room. We were negotiating with our bank to borrow the $3 million required for this project when we were approached by Chesapeake to lease the deep rights for our property. The application of fracking well technology was allowing oil and gas companies to explore deeper than our previous Clinton wells. Thanks to Dad’s foresight, we had never leased the deep rights with the Clinton well rights. He always felt that someday the technology would exist to drill deeper. At the end of 2011, we signed deep right leases with Chesapeake. Our property would allow up to five wells.

grinding-room-layout grinding-facility