Brick paving can be installed two ways:
as rigid paving or as flexible paving.
Rigid paving is commonly identified
by its mortared joints. A properly
designed rigid paving system consists of a
well-compacted subgrade, a properly
prepared base, a reinforced concrete slab,
a mortar setting bed, and brick paving
with mortar joints between the pavers
(see Figure 1). A rigid system is often
used where soil conditions are poor,
where spaces between pavers are unacceptable,
or where the look of mortared
brick paving is desirable. Whenever
mortar is used between the brick, a rigid
concrete slab must be used to support the
paving.
Flexible paving has a greater variety of
design options. A flexible system consists
of a well-compacted