House Erasmus - Bera Gravel Fix Pro Supply & Installation — Case Study

Case Study Brief

The House Erasmus renovation required a stable gravel surface that complemented the residential setting. Geosynthetics Africa supplied and installed BERA Gravel Fix® Pro across approximately 650 m². The 32 mm cellular panels were paired with 13 mm sandstone gravel and EcoEdge perimeter detailing. The panels confine the gravel, while their integrated geotextile separates it from the supporting layer. The installation covered panel placement, trimming around the perimeter, gravel filling and compaction. Careful edge detailing helped establish a consistent finished surface. The result was a defined gravel surface designed to reduce displacement during use. Manufacturer panel compression ratings are product test values; the driveway’s overall load capacity and drainage depend on the complete pavement design. Routine maintenance includes checking edging and topping up gravel where required.

Sheets laid and trimmed in around the cast concrete planters.

13 mm crushed aggregate — angular stone, within BERA's 3–16 mm range.

Filling in progress at approximately 50 l/m².

Finished surface, flush and clean-edged against the concrete step.

The Installation Challenge

The courtyard required close detailing around existing planters, steps, curved boundaries and thresholds. The gravel finish had to meet the established levels while other renovation work continued nearby.

The supporting base was set out from the finished concrete levels. BERA Gravel Fix® Pro panels were trimmed to the perimeter, followed by 13 mm sandstone infill and edge finishing. The integrated geotextile formed part of the panel system.

Installation Sequence

Prepare the supporting base

Establish the required formation, compacted base and finished levels for the expected traffic and site drainage conditions.

Place and trim cellular panels

Lay BERA Gravel Fix® Pro panels on the prepared surface, maintain the integrated geotextile continuity and trim around boundaries and interfaces.

Install edging and gravel infill

Secure the perimeter edging and fill the cells with the specified gravel, distributing the infill evenly across the panels.

Compact, finish and inspect

Complete compaction and surface finishing; review edge restraint, gravel cover, levels and the drainage arrangement before handover.

Field Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Checklist

Quality checks recorded on this installation.

Material receiving inspection - Delivered sheets verified against order and BERA batch documentation on arrival: correct model (Gravel Fix® Pro, grey/black, 1176 × 764 × 32 mm, 0.9 m² per sheet), geotextile welded to base and undamaged on every sheet, extended lips intact on both edges, no cracking or deformation from transit. Quantity reconciled against measured area plus cutting allowance.

Base preparation sign-off (hold point) - Compaction confirmed complete and uniform across the full area before any sheet was laid. Levels verified by laser against finished concrete steps, planter plinths and door thresholds to confirm the 32 mm sheet plus 15–20 mm fill proud would finish flush. Bed levelled, surplus removed, and inspected clear of debris and sharp items. Laying not released until this check was signed.

Laying inspection - Every sheet confirmed seated onto the extended geotextile lip of its neighbour, giving continuous separation across all joints with no exposed sub-base. Sheet field checked for lift, rocking or unsupported cells. All cut edges inspected for a tight, consistent line against cast concrete at the planters, curved return, level changes and bench, with geotextile coverage maintained at every trim.

Fill verification and handover - Aggregate confirmed as 13 mm crushed, within BERA's specified 3–16 mm range. Fill rate checked against 50 l/m² / 75 kg/m² and depth confirmed at 15–20 mm above cell wall height across the area. Surface raked level, honeycomb fully covered with no structure visible, and infiltration confirmed by observation with wall weep outlets clear and unobstructed.

Products Used in Project

Products supplied and installed on this project.

Gravel Stabilisation

BERA Gravel Fix® Pro

Quantity: 650 m²

Landscape Edging

BERA® Eco Edge

Quantity: 50 m

Specification Conformity & Lab Verification

Key properties compared with the project specification.

Property	Test Method	Specification Minimum	Delivered Value (Average)	Margin Above Spec
Installed panel vertical strength	Manufacturer brochure	Not a project acceptance criterion	>450 t/m²; depends on gravel	Manufacturer reference only
Attached geotextile	Manufacturer brochure	Typar membrane	DuPont™ Typar®; 68 g/m²	Manufacturer reference only
Cell structure	Manufacturer brochure	Pro model	42 mm cells; 32 mm depth	Manufacturer reference only
Chemical compliance	Manufacturer brochure	REACH	REACH EC 1907/2006 listed by BERA	Check project documents
Quality management	Manufacturer brochure	Manufacturer standards	ISO 9001 and 16949 Lloyds listed by BERA	Check applicable documentation
Environmental declaration	Published EPD	Applicable colour variant	White and grey Gravel Fix EPDs published	Verify applicable declaration

“In-house project comment: At House Erasmus, the main delivery task was the perimeter detailing. Coordinating the base levels, trimmed panels and sandstone infill gave the 650 m² surface a consistent finish around the existing concrete features.

Ivan M

Project Manager · Geosynthetics Africa — internal project team

House Erasmus - Bera Gravel Fix Pro Supply & Installation — 650 m²