Abstract: Floor for animals such as cattle, comprising a base structure and a top layer, wherein the top layer is permeable to fluid portions of animal faeces and/or animal urine, but impermeable to solid parts of the animal faeces, wherein the base structure comprises voids for receiving said fluid portions and/or urine passing through the top layer, wherein the base structure comprises an array base elements forming a substantially continuous deck supporting the top layer, wherein the deck is arranged for passing said fluids into internal volumes of the base elements forming said voids, the internal volumes of at least a number of said base elements being in fluid communication with each other, preferably such that fluids received in said internal volumes can be removed from the base elements by flow through said internal volumes.

Abstract: A sports field comprises a base structure and a cover. The cover is at least partly permeable to fluid, especially water. The base structure comprises voids for containing fluid. The base structure forms a substantially continuous deck supporting the cover. The cover comprises or is formed by an artificial sports layer, such as artificial grass. At least a number of the voids are in fluid communication with each other. Wick elements are provided fluidly connecting at least a number of the voids with the cover for supplying fluid from the voids to the top layer.

Abstract: Plant surface structure, comprising plastic base elements, each base element having a deck carried by a series of pillar elements, wherein at least a number of the pillar elements have an open top end in said deck, wherein at least a membrane is placed over said deck and is provided with slits or cut-outs or water permeable elements, such that they open into at least some of the open top ends of pillars, wherein a growing medium is provided on the membrane and a growing medium is provided in said pillars, the growing medium in said pillars preferably being in fluid contact with the growing medium on said membrane.

Abstract: A sports field comprises a base structure and a cover. The cover is at least partly permeable to fluid, especially water. The base structure comprises voids for containing fluid. The base structure forms a substantially continuous deck supporting the cover. The cover comprises or is formed by an artificial sports layer, such as artificial grass. At least a number of the voids are in fluid communication with each other. Wick elements are provided fluidly connecting at least a number of the voids with the cover for supplying fluid from the voids to the top layer.

Abstract: Floor for animals such as cattle, comprising a base structure and a top layer, wherein the top layer is permeable to fluid portions of animal faeces and/or animal urine, but impermeable to solid parts of the animal faeces, wherein the base structure comprises voids for receiving said fluid portions and/or urine passing through the top layer, wherein the base structure comprises an array base elements forming a substantially continuous deck supporting the top layer, wherein the deck is arranged for passing said fluids into internal volumes of the base elements forming said voids, the internal volumes of at least a number of said base elements being in fluid communication with each other, preferably such that fluids received in said internal volumes can be removed from the base elements by flow through said internal volumes.

Abstract: Sports field, comprising a base structure and a cover, wherein the cover is at least partly permeable to fluid, especially water, wherein the base structure comprises voids for containing fluid, wherein the base structure forms a substantially continuous deck supporting the cover, wherein the cover comprises or is formed by an artificial sports layer, such as artificial grass, at least a number of said voids being in fluid communication with each other, and wherein wick elements are provided fluidly connecting at least a number of said voids with said cover for supplying fluid from said voids to said top layer.

Abstract: An area suitable for sporting activities comprises an upper synthetic surface layer, and a sub-surface support layer which includes a load bearing structural module. The structural module comprises a top wall and a bottom wall spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The top wall is provided with a plurality of apertures to permit the flow of liquid into and out of the volume. The size and shape of the apertures is such that the apertures cause substantially no variation in the flatness of the synthetic surface layer.

Abstract: A structural module which is suitable for combining with like structural modules to form an area suitable for walking on and/or for travelling directly over by a vehicle, comprises a flat top wall and a bottom wall spaced therefrom by side walls so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The top wall is provided with a plurality of apertures to permit the flow of liquid into the volume, and the side walls and/or the bottom wall are provided with apertures to permit the flow of liquid out of the volume. The size and shape of each aperture in the top wall is such that the maximum diameter of sphere that the aperture would let through is in a range up to 10 mm.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for venting and dispensing gas from an area of ground. The apparatus comprising a passage arrangement locatable in the ground extending generally horizontally and formed from a plurality of self-supporting open units. One or more columns extends downwardly from the passage, the columns being formed of a core material having an open permeable structure. The or each column has a fluid permeable exterior, and is in communication with the passage.