Abstract: There is provided a void forming module (100), the module including a support surface (110) including a first generally planar upper region (112), a second generally planar lower region (114), and a third generally convex region (116) joining the first region and the second region. At least one of the first region, the second region, and/or the third region includes at least one aperture (120,122) for the passage of fluid through the void forming module. There is also provided a structure (200) including the void forming module, a method of preparing a structure, and the use of the void forming module.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid measurement and control apparatus (101) for measuring and controlling a level of liquid in an environment including plants or animals, the apparatus including: a first chamber (103) including a first liquid port (105) for liquid connection to the environment; a second chamber (107) integrally formed with the first chamber and including a second liquid port (109) for liquid connection to the environment; a level sensor (111) for measuring a first level of liquid in the first chamber; and an adjuster (113, 115, 117, 119, 121) for adjusting a second level of liquid in the second chamber, wherein, in use, flow of liquid between the first and second chambers within the apparatus is prevented such that the first level of liquid is representative of the level of liquid in the environment and the second level of liquid is adjustable to control the level of liquid in the environment.

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: There is provided a liquid measurement and control apparatus (101) for measuring and controlling a level of liquid in an environment including plants or animals, the apparatus including: a first chamber (103) including a first liquid port (105) for liquid connection to the environment; a second chamber (107) integrally formed with the first chamber and including a second liquid port (109) for liquid connection to the environment; a level sensor (111) for measuring a first level of liquid in the first chamber; and an adjuster (113, 115, 117, 119, 121) for adjusting a second level of liquid in the second chamber, wherein, in use, flow of liquid between the first and second chambers within the apparatus is prevented such that the first level of liquid is representative of the level of liquid in the environment and the second level of liquid is adjustable to control the level of liquid in the environment.

Abstract: A plant surface structure includes an array of plastic base elements, each base element having a deck carried by a series of pillar elements. The deck is provided with at least a number of the pillar elements having an open top end in the deck. A membrane is placed over the 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 the pillar elements. A growing medium is provided on the membrane and a growing medium is provided in the pillar elements, the growing medium in the pillar elements preferably being in fluid contact with the growing medium on the 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: 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: Support structure for a surface area, comprising an array of base elements, interconnected for forming the base structure defining a deck, the base elements comprising at least one void for receiving a fluid and wherein the deck is provided with openings for passing fluids into and/or from said void and/or openings for interconnecting the base elements, wherein in at least one of said openings a plug has been provided, said plug provided with a connector for connecting an artefact to said plug.

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: 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: Support structure for a surface area, comprising an array of base elements, interconnected for forming the base structure defining a deck, the base elements comprising at least one void for receiving a fluid and wherein the deck is provided with openings for passing fluids into and/or from said void and/or openings for interconnecting the base elements, wherein in at least one of said openings a plug has been provided, said plug provided with a connector for connecting an artefact to said plug.

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: 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: 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: 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: Plantsurface structure, comprising one of an array of plastic base elements, each base element having a deck carried by a series of pillar elements, wherein the deck is provided with 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: 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.