Pavement Structures Made of Cobblestones and Slabs in German-Speaking Countries: A Practice-Oriented Technical Overview

Abstract

Pavement structures made of cobblestones and slabs are widely applied in urban traffic areas, historic city centres, public spaces and low- to medium-loaded road infrastructures in German-speaking countries. Unlike monolithic asphalt or concrete pavements, these systems consist of segmented surface elements with jointed construction, resulting in distinct load transfer mechanisms and deformation behaviour. Their structural performance is therefore governed not only by the paving material itself but predominantly by construction principles, joint configuration, edge restraint effectiveness and drainage conditions. This technical overview synthesises guideline-based knowledge and practical experience on pavement structures made of cobblestones and slabs, covering flexible, rigid and mixed construction methods. Typical paving materials—including natural stone blocks, natural stone slabs and concrete paving elements—are discussed together with key design parameters such as joint widths, minimum slab thicknesses and laying patterns for traffic areas. Furthermore, typical damage mechanisms affecting cobblestone and slab pavements, including settlement phenomena, surface damage, joint deterioration and kerb-related defects, are systematically classified based on established guidelines and field observations. Maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction strategies are outlined, with particular emphasis on drainage performance and water-permeable pavement systems. The paper provides a consolidated technical reference intended to support international comparison and informed decision-making in the design, construction and maintenance of cobblestone and slab pavements. The paper is positioned as a technical overview contributing to road materials selection and pavement design practice rather than experimental performance evaluation.