What Are Curb and Gutter? | Difference Between Curb and Gutter | Types of Curb and Gutter | Construction of Curb and Gutter | Advantages of Curb and Gutter

Introduction of Curb and Gutter

The curb is built on the perimeter of the road pavement, which acts as a barrier between the road and the street. The curb is closed with a gutter that is installed to remove water from the flat concrete slab. Typically, curbs and gutters are built together during road pavement.

A curb is a small wall built into the perimeter of a road pavement. Which works to protect and hold the pavement.

In this article, you will find information about types of curbs, construction of curbs and gutters and their benefits, etc.

What Are Curb and Gutter?

Curb and gutter construction is made of concrete or asphalt. Used to collect water flow from parking spaces, paved streets, or other impermeable surfaces and deliver it to the storm drain system.

Curb and Gutter increase the cost of the road. Therefore, its use is generally limited to urban and suburban areas. This type of system is rare in rural areas. Curb and gutter are used in certain level areas.

Curbs separate the road from the side of the road by marking the edge of the pavement. Therefore, it discourages drivers from driving in the parking lot or sidewalk and lawn.

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Difference Between Curb and Gutter

• The curb is usually a small wall made of concrete along the roadside in North America.
• The gutter is a channel specially designed for water drainage on the side of the road and on the surface.

Types of Curb and Gutter

• Mower Curb and Gutter
• Mountable Curb and Gutter
• Barrier Curb and Gutter
• Slanted Curb and Gutter
• Monolithic Curb and Gutter

Types are based on the shape and size of the curb. The five most commonly used types are as follows.

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1. Mower Curb and Gutter

Mowers curbs are used for the decorative look in lawn or flowerbed areas in common plots of the building. The use of this type of curb provides a strong and protective barrier between the walkway and the green zone.

Due to the shape of this type of curb, the lawn mowers allow the grass to be cut evenly without damaging the machinery.

2. Mountable Curb and Gutter

Mountable curbs have a slight dip of one face of the curb. Therefore, this type of curb is designed to make it easier to drive vehicles from above. This type of curb is chosen to cross the sidewalk safely.

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3. Barrier Curb and Gutter

This type of curb is most commonly used to control the perimeter of the road pavement. This type of curb is commonly used as a barrier between vehicles and certain spaces. Such as sidewalk, can be done in stores, parking spaces, etc. Barrier curbs are usually made using cement concrete.

4. Slanted Curb and Gutter

Slanted curbs are used for the aesthetic look of the surroundings. It is not used for any particular practical purpose. It is used for a sleek look at the edge of the road. Its function is to display the edge of the road.

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5. Monolithic Curb and Gutter

Monolithic curbs are commonly referred to as integral curbs, which are connected to the monolithic curb roadway according to the joints laid on the concrete slab.

This type of curb is used in commercial spaces and areas with large parking lots and in large movement areas. In which the speed of vehicles and their movement in the driveway area is restricted when approaching the driveway.

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Curb and Gutter Specifications

Construction of Curb and Gutter

The manual construction of the curb and gutter is done in the following manner.

1. Marking and Excavation

The first step in every construction activity is marking. Marking is done using mark powder where curbs and gutters are to be made on the road. Alignment is done by giving a suitable slope to drain all the water coming on it effectively.

Then, the marked area with the help of powder is dug manually or mechanically to a depth of 300mm according to the alignment. The excavated soil is properly removed from the site. The excavation is done by compaction using a mechanical compactor.

2. Formwork

Formwork is made from plyboard or steel mold, depending on the design of the curb required.

The plumb of the formwork and the alignment of the formwork are checked to make a precise shape of the curb. Lubrication oil is applied to the inner surface of the form-work. So as to obtain a smooth surface of the concrete.

3. Placing of Concrete

The design mix for the curb and gutter is placed in the concrete formwork. When doing concreting, the first concrete work is done in the gutter area. Then, concrete is poured into the curb formwork. Concrete is compacted using a vibrator to strengthen the curb and gutter.

Once the concrete is set in the formwork, remove the board from the front side of the curb. Then, the work of smoothing the concrete surface of the curb and gutter is done with the help of finishing tools.

4. Curing

After the concrete surface of the curb and gutter is finished, the curing process is very important to develop strength and durability. The curb and gutter should be protected in conditions such as rain damage, moisture loss, extreme hot or cold temperatures.

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Advantages of Curb and Gutter

1. Concrete curbs reflect reflective surfaces depicting road pavement edges. Improves road pavement visibility for drivers at night. Thus, the curb and gutter are suitable for safe driving.
2. Proper planning of curbs and gutter enhances the beauty of parking and streets.
3. Curbs act as support for the stability of road pavements.
4. Curb and gutter easily drain rainwater on the surface of road pavement. So that water damage to the pavement surface can be reduced.
5. The curb protects the edges of the finished concrete during road construction. It helps maintain the edge of the road pavement.
6. The curb enhances the look of the building by dividing it between parking areas and roads. In addition, the garden area looks beautiful using the sleek curb.
7. Helps to get water out by installing a curb and gutter on the surface of road pavement. Therefore, it prevents water from entering the pavement surface.

Disadvantages of Curb & Gutter

1. The construction of the curb and gutter requires skilled labor and supervision.
2. Additional construction costs are required to provide beauty for the road pavement.

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