Abstract: A mat construction usable in the construction, mining and the like industries wherein tire beads from used tires are tied together into an array with the use of strips of used tire casing. The mat can be used as an underlayment for roadways built over unstable ground surfaces, or a number of the mats can be superimposed one upon the other to form a blasting mat. The mats can be formed by inexpensive laborers at the construction site, for example.

Abstract: A grid system for stabilizing an underlayer and providing a support surface ncludes 60 longitudinally extending polyethylene strips which are bonded one to another in an offset manner and are adapted for providing a grid. The grid has a first collapsed orientation wherein the strips are generally linearly aligned and substantially contiguous and a second expanded orientation wherein the strips are generally longitudinally sinusoidal for providing a plurality of cells. The cells are filled with compacted naturally occurring beach sand. An asphalt layer is applied to the upper surface of the grid and penetrates the cells to a predetermined depth for thereby providing a roadway surface adapted for vehicler traffic.

Abstract: A reinforcing semi-rigid, resin impregnated continuous filament fiberglass grid is incorporated into a paved road or surface to provide increased strength and resistance to cracking.

Abstract: A mat comprising an elastic material which serves as an underlay for a ballast bed of crushed stone, metallic particles, or the like is provided with a plurality of projections on its underside and with an upper layer of a material different from the elastic material. This upper layer on the upper side of the mat advantageously comprises a strong fabric. Particularly the upper layer may comprise a multilayered fabric with inlay layers of elastic material positioned between the individual layers of the multilayer fabric as well as a coverying layer of a softer material on the upper surface of the upper layer of the mat. The fabric of the upper layer of the mat advantageously comprises a water and rot resistant plastic material, such as a polyamide.

Abstract: A highway pavement of concrete slab-on-grade surface includes a prestressed portland cement concrete surface layer which is mounted on a non-freezing low restraint support grade layer without any linear physical connection thereto in such a manner as to permit freedom of movement toward the midpoint of the surface layer. The surface layer is thereby able to slide in response to temperature and moisture changes in the environment including at temperatures below the freezing point of water. The surface layer has a riding surface of generally the same rideability five years after installation as it does at the time of installation.

Abstract: A microwave energy reflecting zone (12, 12a, 12b) is provided below the surface of a pavement (11, 11', 11a, 11b) at a depth that is less than the maximum depth that such energy can penetrate into paving materials. The reflective zone, which is formed of electrically conductive material (16, 16a to 16h), results in energy and cost savings in subsequent paving or pavement repair operations that involve microwave heating of thermoplastic pavement and in which it is not necessary to heat down to the full depth to which such energy can penetrate paving materials. The heating is concentrated or localized within a predetermined upper portion of the pavement. The energy concentrating pavement may, for example, be more economically resurfaced when that becomes necessary by microwave heating followed by remixing and recompaction of the heated upper portion of the pavement material.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing pavement involves the orientation of a sheet of elastomeric material reinforced by a plurality of substantially parallel, high tensile strength tire cords embedded therein and bonded thereto on a roadbed so that the tire cord fibers extend in the direction of the stress on the roadbed. The elastomeric material and the tire cord fibers are bonded to the existing roadbed and the roadbed is paved.

Abstract: A tissue mat protecting against erosion comprising a water-pervious tissue layer provided with anchoring loops. The anchoring loops have the form of a yarn woven across the tissue and protruding from the surface of the tissue. It is possible to use a rugged yarn guaranteeing a satisfactory anchorage to this end. The anchoring loops of the tissue ensure that the mat penetrates into the ground and is thus anchored. It is also possible to anchor concrete blocks of means of the anchoring loops by pouring the concrete on the mat or by pressing it thereon.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use at a stress transition zone juncture such as at a bridge-roadway juncture or a railroad crossing-roadway juncture, for more evenly spreading the stress forces from traffic thereover to the underlying support surfaces. The variable thickness mat is preferably formed of non-woven fabric and is of variable thickness in a direction lengthwise of the mat as well as in a direction transverse of the mat.

Abstract: Crack and wear resistant concrete overlays for renovation or patching of deteriorated sections over a substratum can be made by incorporating 4-12 volume percent steel fibers in the concrete overlay and bonding at least a portion of the fibers directly to the substratum.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method, system and means for controlling or conveying away liquids or moisture that may permeate or penetrate asphalt-surfaced roadways, pavements, bridge deck constructions and the like and includes a membrane or membrane construction functioning as a moisture or liquid barrier or control means disposed between a roadway, pavement or bridge deck wear surface layer and a concrete substrate for retarding, resisting or preventing deterioration of roadways, pavements, bridge deck constructions and the like.

Abstract: A roadway barrier structure is prepared by laying a porous fabric upon a base course, bonding a barrier structure upon a portion of the porous fabric that rests upon the base course, and placing at least a portion of a traffic-bearing course upon a portion of the porous fabric that rests upon the base course and extends beyond the barrier structure.

Abstract: Tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, all weather running tracks and other similar recreational areas having defects in their surfaces are resurfaced by laying multiple layers of a free floating flexible material over the defective surface and then applying a standard asphalt resurface over the top layer of free floating flexible material. Surfaces prepared in this manner have improved freeze thaw stability, longer life and do not develop reflective cracking.