Should the pavement slabs (concrete - 5cm) be compacted after laying?

Hello everyone,

I have made a foundation from concrete paving slabs (50 x 50 x 5) in a gravel bed. My question now is whether I should compact the slabs after grouting, or if that is no longer necessary and the slabs of this size/material might even break.

Thanks

Regards
Jörg

Hello Jörg,

What is the "foundation" going to be loaded with? And how strong is the gravel bed?

Next season I have something similar planned. I want to use the slabs as an alternative to a cast concrete slab. A hot tub weighing about ~1 ton will be placed on mine. I would definitely use a compactor if it is heavily loaded. This year I laid walkway slabs in the yard - just as a typical walkway, but with 30x30x4cm. I did not use a compactor there. Here I removed old paving and raised the old, already compacted gravel bed by 3 cm.

Best regards

Hello everyone, I have created a foundation made of paving slabs (concrete - 50 x 50 x 5) in a gravel bed. My question now is whether I should compact the slabs after grouting, or if that is no longer necessary and the slabs of this size/material might even break. Thanks Regards Jörg

no, they will break.

I also used these panels for my garden shed. Lay them down, align with the rubber mallet/level, and done. They are so heavy, they stay perfectly in place on their own.