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Concrete Parking Lots

Concrete Parking Lot Design Overview

To assist civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, contractors, developers, owners, and specifiers, Ozinga provides detailed concrete road and parking lot design recommendations that include joint layout and load transfer plans. This program helps specifiers deliver quality 20 year pavement designs to ensure successful concrete projects. Also included in these recommendations is a review of your current asphalt pavement sections. The Parking Lot Design Assistance services are provided for conventional concrete projects as well as designs for projects interested in using pervious concrete, roller compacted, and concrete overlays.

Parking Lot Design FAQ

How much will the service cost for specifiers?

Parking Lot Design Assistance recommendations are free

Beyond considering the design recommendations, what else is Ozinga asking for?

Ozinga requests all receiving free assistance to help track project outcomes, whatever they may be.

How fast will I receive Design Suggestions?

Typical design assistance projects will be released within five to seven business days. Very large or complex designs and those requiring detailed hydrological designs and calculations may take up to 10 business days to complete.

How do I submit a project for Design Services?

What will be included in the Design Recommendation?

Ozinga will provide the most 20 year economical concrete pavement sections for each type of traffic on your pavement. We also provide asphalt pavement sections that have the same load carrying capacity that the concrete sections have that we designed. Four joint layout and load transfer options are also provided within our pavement recommendations. For each application containing the necessary Project Information, Ozinga will provide the following Design Suggestions in return

  1. A detailed submittal letter, which may include recommended concrete pavement thicknesses to be determined by acceptable engineering practices for anticipated loading conditions, including ACI 330R Guide for Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots, Ozinga’s Concrete Pavement Analyst (CPA) software and other thickness design software programs offered by the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA).
  2. Two joint layout and load transfer options for a strip paving approach to placing concrete and two joint layout and load transfer options for area paving (laser screed) approach to placing concrete and suggested typical design details, including curbs, gutters, drains, contraction joints, isolation joints, construction joints, thickened edges, tied joints, dowelled joints, etc.
  3. Disclaimer stating that the Design Suggestions are not every known fact about concrete pavement but comply with current industry standards. The final design is the responsibility of the engineer on record for the project.
Think you can’t afford a concrete parking lot? Find out how you cost competitive concrete parking lots really are

Concrete vs. Asphalt: Which is Better?

When it comes to building, the concrete vs. asphalt debate is always taking place. Both of these products are commonly used for driveways, parking lots, and roads, and while they can be used for similar applications, they don’t offer the same benefits.

Cost

Asphalt is cheaper to install than concrete. Averaging around $3-$5 a square foot, it can cost around $900-$1,500 to add a 300-square-foot asphalt driveway to a home. Averaging around $5-$10 a square foot, it can cost around $1,500-$3,000 to use concrete for the same driveway.

However, when considering cost, you cannot just consider the installation. Asphalt needs to be maintenanced more than concrete, and it also doesn’t last nearly as long. When you factor in the durability, maintenance, and installation, concrete ends up coming out as the more cost-effective option.

Maintenance

Every product requires some type of maintenance to ensure it always looks great and performs even greater. Due to discoloration and weakening structure, asphalt needs to be sealed every 2-3 years, and it needs to be completely recoated every 5-10 years. If you pay someone to do this, the cost can add up, and if you opt to do it yourself, you’ll need to find the time to get it done.

On the contrary, concrete typically only needs a good cleaning, and depending on the type of concrete used and where you live, it may only need to be sealed every five or so years, if at all.

Aesthetics

When it comes to choosing a driveway that’s aesthetically pleasing, concrete wins. Concrete on its own provides a clean, crisp look that complements any house. You also have the option of using a concrete stain, color, and/or concrete stamp to create a specific look and make it more appealing. Asphalt, on the other hand, is just a blacktop, and there’s not much you can do to dress it up.

Durability

Having a durable product is always beneficial. Concrete is stronger than asphalt, which means it can handle heavier loads. If asphalt wants to receive the same load carrying capacity as concrete, a thicker profile would be required. As an example, a 5”-thick concrete pavement has the same load carrying capacity as an 8”-thick asphalt pavement. Concrete also lasts longer, averaging about 30-40 years compared to asphalt’s 15-20 years. So if it’s durability you’re looking for, there’s one clear-cut choice.

Concrete parking lots can withstand the weight of multiple vehicles and stand up to the heavy traffic use. Asphalt is a flexible pavement that can leave impressions under parked vehicles, where as concrete is a rigid, durable material.

Weather

Constant exposure to high temperatures will make asphalt soft, which puts it at risk of cracking. Concrete, on the other hand, is more resistant to high temperatures, which makes it a better option in areas where higher temperatures are normal.

Asphalt also absorbs heat more easily than concrete, and since it’s highly reflective, it’s extremely hot during warm temperatures. This hot temperature can make it impossible for children to play on the asphalt surface during a summer day, and it can even cause a higher interior temperature in vehicles parked on asphalt. Concrete, on the other hand, can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than asphalt, which makes it a better option.

Better Lighting

When you choose concrete, you’ll get three times the reflectivity of asphalt. Thisnot only improves safety, but also requires less lighting overall, which can save money and reduce scope A3and A4 emissions and reduce operational carbon emissions.

Appearance

On its own, concrete looks much cleaner than asphalt. However, you can also consider adding colors, textures or patterns to your concrete to help it match a specific style.

Longevity

Concrete’s life cycle is much longer than other materials and can end up saving money over time.

Less Maintenance

Asphalt requires maintenance annually, while concrete can last significantly longer.

Sustainability

With recycled materials, innovative technologies, and cementitious materials, a concrete parking lot can be an environmentally friendly choice with less embodied carbon emissions.