Brett Landscaping & Building Products has supplied more than 8,000m² of Zeta Lock – an innovative block paving system designed to withstand ‘rotational and dynamic loading forces’ , such as those produced by large lorries turning – to a storage facility at Bristol Port.
Project: Storage Facility at Bristol Port
Client: The Bristol Port Company
Product: Zeta Lock Block Paving
The product was supplied to Thames Valley Construction for a state-of-the-art steel coil storage facility which features three bays equipped with 35-tonne gantry cranes, and has increased the port’s total steel storage capacity to over 150,000 tonnes. The stored steel supports vital UK industries, including the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
The project specification required a flooring system with a 5 N/mm² compressive strength and a characteristic tensile splitting strength exceeding 3.6 MPa. Following comprehensive technical guidance provided to designers Shear Design and main contractor Thames Valley Construction, Brett Landscaping & Building Products demonstrated that its Zeta Lock block paving would not just meet the demanding requirements of this heavy-duty application but exceed the specification.
Pictures courtesy of The Bristol Port Company
Jamie Gledhill, Engineering Technical Manager at Brett Landscaping & Building Products, explains: “Although Zeta Lock is typically seen in outdoor environments, it proved to be the perfect fit for this project. With heavy vehicles and equipment operating inside the storage shed, the pavement needed to cope with demanding conditions day in, day out. Compared with alternatives such as concrete, asphalt and traditional block paving, Zeta Lock offered the best combination of strength, durability and long-term performance.”
What sets Zeta Lock apart is its unique 16-sided shape, which allows the blocks to interlock tightly and create an exceptionally stable surface. Its performance exceeded the original specification, providing the facility with a surface area able to withstand heavy traffic, sharp turning movements and constant use, ensuring long-term reliability.
Jeremy Curry, Head of Infrastructure at The Bristol Port Company, said: “As we continue to develop the port, it’s essential that every new facility is designed and built to stand the test of time. As a busy, working port, minimising operational disruption from maintenance and repairs is a top priority. The warehouse floors are a critical element – they must withstand the point loads applied to them, the constant movement of heavy plant and machinery while maintaining performance and safety. Brett Landscaping and Building Products’ Zeta Lock system has proven to be the ideal solution, meeting our demanding operational requirements while also delivering a high-quality durable pavement surface that meets our needs.”
Zeta Lock Block Paving, Natural
The installation was completed by subcontractor Tolly Group, providing the port with a storage facility floor that delivers superior whole-life cost benefits through low maintenance and minimal repair requirements.
“Due to the nature of the heavy loads placed on the storage facility floor, this project required a robust and durable surface that could be easily maintained while providing a long service life,” commented Mujtaba Ahmed, Associate at Shear Design. “The technical support supplied by the Brett Landscaping & Building Products team helped us meet the client’s requirements for paving durability.”
“We have worked with Brett Landscaping & Building Products on similar schemes and have developed a strong relationship with their logistics team, who ensured that daily schedules were carefully programmed. This enabled us to install between 600 to 700m² of paving per day, keeping us on track,” commented Mark Pointer, Managing Director at Tolly Group.
“Zeta Lock was chosen for its hard-wearing properties and proven track record in similar applications,” added Craig Flanagan, Contracts Manager at Thames Valley Construction & Civil Engineering. “It provides a flat, uniform working surface with consistent colour and texture, and it can also be easily repaired locally by lifting and re-levelling blocks if any settlement occurs.”
Now complete, the storage facility can operate with confidence, knowing that its flooring system is fully capable of withstanding the constant vehicular movements, heavy loads and operational demands of a busy port environment. The durability and resilience of the Zeta Lock paving has ensured a safe, stable and long-lasting surface, supporting efficient day-to-day operations while minimising maintenance and downtime over the life of the facility.
Zeta Lock Block Paving, Natural
