Pavingexpert - Cutting Flags and Slabs VIII

Cutting a Ring Radius

Cut-in Block Paving

Cutting Flagstones
- Cutting Curves
- Inboard Cuts
- Cutting Notches
- Radii & Corners
   - Cut a Ring Radius
   - Cut a Fan Radius
   - Run-outs and
     Town Corners

Tools & Suitability

Using Hand Tools

Cutting Mitres

Introduction

This page is part of a series of pages that consider cutting techniques used with flags (or slabs, if that's what you call 'em). The first page examined the basic principles of cutting-in: this page looks at how the cuts for a Ring Radius are prepared; related pages consider other cut features such as notches, curves and flagged radii. See the menu above right or the related pages listing at the foot of this page for a more comprehensive guide to what's available.

Cutting a ring radius A ring radius has the flags laid in courses flowing longitudinally around the curve, with each course forming a concentric circle or "ring", hence the name. Accordingly, ring radii layouts are most commonly used where the adjacent flagging is also laid in longitudinal courses, although there is no good reason why they could not be used in conjunction with transverse coursework.
A relatively slow ring radius	Ring radius in yorkstone
Semi-circle ring radius
When laying concrete flags, ring radii are typically paved using a single size of flag, usually a square format, ie: a 600x600mm (B format), 450x450mm (E format), 400x400mm (F format) or even the G format 300x300mm units. The scale of the radius will usually determine the most appropriate flag format to use. On slow radii, it is possible to use rectangular formats (A, C, or D) with the longer axis laid longitudinally, as shown above, but the use of such units often results in a relatively long 'back edge' that makes neat alignment of the inner courses/rings that much more difficult.
Even with a large 10m radius, using 900x600mm flags creates excessively wide joints between adjacent rings
So: the scale of the radius, combined with consideration for the flags used to oave the main paths, will determine the most appropriate flag format to be used. The next consideration regards the cutting of the flag edges - should the flag be cut just along one edge, or should it be cut along both? Again, the format of flags being used and the size of the radius being cut will largely determine the most appropriate strategy. Wherever possible, ring radii are cut on just the one edge. This is done not just to save on time and materials, but also because fan radii need to be cut on both edges and it is considered that some additional distinction is warranted. It doesn't really matter whether it is the leading edge that is cut, or the rear edge, as long as the cutting is consistent. If the first flag has its rear edge cut, then ALL of the flags in that ring, and preferably in that radius, should be cut on the rear edge, so that there are no instances of cut edges be laid against cut edges.

Traditionally, it is regarded as better practice to cut the leading edge of each flag. This is because the leading edge can be fully and generously buttered with mortar prior to laying the next flag in the sequence, whereas if the rear edge is cut, the receiving edge of the preceding flag is a full (ie: uncut) edge that is not as easy to load with sufficient mortar to ensure a full joint once the flag is laid. Even though many modern flagged paths rely on butt-jointing rather than mortared joints, and that most cuts are now made with a saw, the tradition continues.

Cutting a leading edge A simple piece of additional kit is recommended when cutting this type of radius path. It's a very, very simple tri-square of timber, with the two shorter edges cut to match those of the flags being laid, and the hypotenuse (or bracing piece) being cut to suit. The tri-square is typically fashioned from roofing laths or other cheap, light timber. In the example shown in the illustration, the flags are 450x450mm units, therefore two arms of the tri-square will be cut to that length. If the flags were, say, 600x600mm units, the arms of the tri-square would be cut to that dimension. Radius paths are ALWAYS laid from the kerbline back. It does not matter whether the radius path is an external or an inrternal curve, the first flags are aways laid against the defining kerbline (or soldier course, edging, string line or whatever else is being used to define the arc.) Starting at, or as near as dammit to the tangent point, the first flag is laid into position, with its rear edge aligned to suit that of the receiving edge on the preceding flag. The flag is not consolidated yet - it is left "loose". The tri-square is offered into position so that one arm lies against the outer ring or kerbline, while the second arms is allowed to overlap the surface of the flag to be cut. A line is marked onto the surface of the flag using the overlapping arm as a guide. The flag can then be moved to a cutting position and sliced along the line just marked. The bed is re-made or titivated as required, the receiving edges buttered with mortar (if mortar is being used) and the freshly-cut flag offered into position. Assuming the marking and cutting were fairly accurate and a neat joint is formed between preceding flag and kerbline/inner ring, the flag can be consolidated to level and the next flag offered into position.

Click here to open a 160Kb 'How to mark and cut...' animation....

...and then click here to see how the whole radius would be laid.

[There should be a set of navigation buttons here, but your browser does not<br>support inline frames or is currently configured not to display frames<br>You can still use the text-based navigation facility at the <a href="#toppage">top</a> of the page, though.]

Introduction

Cutting a ring radius

Cutting a leading edge

Related Pages