Permacon permeable interlocking concrete pavers are designed to allow stormwater to drain through the pavement surface. These pavers feature spacer bars that create surface openings (joints), ranging generally between 5% and 15% of the surface opening. The joint spaces created accommodate highly permeable open graded aggregate, typically generally clear stone, no. 8, 9 or 89 (0.08 to 0.20 in.), complying with Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association standards, with spacer bar widths between ¼ and ½ in. (6 and 12 mm).
Some people raise concern about the potential for high heels to become stuck in permeable paver surface openings. This technical note addresses high heel shoes related to Permacon permeable pavers.
High Heels & Walking Surfaces
Permeable and non-permeable slabs and pavers are slip resistant. High heels in general can be worn while crossing these firm and stable surfaces. Concrete pavers, including permeable pavers with enlarged joints, are also suitable for high heel traffic.
Heel heights are usually comprised between 1.5 and 5 in. (38.1 and 127 mm). Heel width is critical for assessing permeable walking surfaces. The narrow diameter of the heel varies based on the shoe type. The most common heel tip diameter is about ½ in., ± ⅛ in. (13 mm, ± 3 mm). Today, the most common high heel tips on the market range between 0.35 and 0.59 in. (9 and 15 mm). The most common tip replacement parts for high heels on the market is shown below.
High Heels in Action
The Oldcastle Group, of which Permacon is part, tested three models of high-heeled shoes currently on the market (shown in the photos below) in a permeable paved parking lot.
Heel tips of 15 mm, 11 mm and 9 mm
Each model was worn on permeable pavers. The joints of these pavers were filled with no. 89 crushed gravel (compliant with CSA standard) according to the project design. The joints of the permeable pavers represented approximately 7% of the surface and were approximately 0.39, ± 0.03 in. (10 mm, ± 1 mm) wide.
Results
The study participants did not report any difficulties walking on the paved surface or joint openings. In most cases, the heel toe was wider than the joint openings, and the front width of the shoe provided additional stability.
Designers are aware that cast concrete surfaces, such as sidewalks, also have openings. Expansion joints and shrinkage joints are common in the design of these features. Saw cuts or inserted forms create openings in the concrete, ranging from ¼ to ¾ in. (6.35 to 19.5 mm) wide.
Conclusion
Tests show that for all applications, paver joint widths must not exceed ½ in. (12.5 mm) to ensure the safety of people wearing high-heeled shoes and to meet Canadian standards.
Permacon permeable pavers are an excellent choice when it comes to selecting a landscaping product likely to be subjected to high-heel traffic. To ensure pedestrian safety on all interlocking concrete permeable pavers, Permacon recommends that paver surfaces be chamfered, with joints less than ½ in. (12.5 mm) wide and surface joint openings filled with clean stone, so that the difference in height between the paver surface and the filled joint is 0.07 in. (2 mm) or less.
Here are Permacon permeable pavers that meet these criteria.
Smooth Collection
- Agora Aqua Paver – 0.28 in. (7 mm) joint
- Boulevard Drain 209 x 209 Paver – 0.47 in. (12 mm) joint
- Boulevard Drain 150 x 300 Paver – 0.47 in. (12 mm) joint
- AquaPave Paver – 0.24 in. (6 mm) joint
- Kensington Smooth Paver – 0.24 in. (6 mm) joint
- Kensington Smooth Paver Rectangle – 0.24 in. (6 mm) joint
Textured Collection
- Mondrian Plus 80 Paver – 0.28 in. (7.1 mm) joint
- Mondrian Plus 60 Slab – 0.28 in. (7.1 mm) joint
- Mondrian Plus 80 Paver Small Rectangle – 0.28 in. (7.1 mm) joint
- Mondrian Plus 60 Paver Small Rectangle – 0.28 in. (7.1 mm) joint
- Trafalgar Paver – Variable joint sizes from 0.04 to 0.24 in (1 to 6 mm)
- Kensington Paver – 0.24 in. (6 mm) joint
- Kensington Paver Rectangle – 0.24 in. (6 mm) joint
Leave a comment