Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an extruded, polymeric underlayment pad including: a substrate; a first plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending perpendicularly from a first side of the substrate; and a second plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending from a second side of the extruded polymeric substrate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a pad including: a substrate; a first plurality of parallel ridges extending from a first side of the substrate, the first plurality of parallel ridges terminating in longitudinal alternating bevels; and a second plurality of parallel ridges extending from a second side of the substrate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a pad including: a substrate; a first plurality of parallel ridges extending from a first side of the substrate, the first plurality of parallel ridges terminating in longitudinal alternating bevels; and a second plurality of parallel ridges extending from a second side of the substrate.

Abstract: Void-maintaining laminates comprising fuzzy woven or fuzzy membrane layers are provided. Laminates of the present invention comprise at least one sheet-like core element, typically comprising void spaces or channels and, bonded thereto, at least one layer of fuzzy woven composite for use in geotechnical applications. The superior adhesion or bonding of the respective layers to one another, and its contribution to the structural integrity of void spaces or channels, enables the construction and positioning of drainage composites having the desirable characteristics of high permittivity and high transmissivity. Numerous embodiments of the invention are possible. Fuzzy geocomposites of the invention can be used, for example, underneath buildings, foundations, roadways and other paved structures, or in landfills or other types of geotechnical installations to replace or complement conventional drainage materials such as sand, stone and gravel. Methods for making the fuzzy geocomposites are also provided.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a synthetic drainable base course (“SDBC”), and paved structures that may advantageously include an SDBC, are provided. As a key advantage of SDBC's according to the invention, they are of sufficient capacities and structural strength to be used within layered paved structures such as highways, airport runways and parking lots, to provide drainage superior to that afforded by conventional means and methods involving the use of open graded base courses that are typically formed of natural soils and aggregate and are extremely expensive to install. The invention includes means and methods that use conventional heavy equipment for installing an SDBC during the construction of a roadway or other paved surface.

Abstract: Void-maintaining laminates comprising fuzzy woven or fuzzy membrane layers are provided. Laminates of the present invention comprise at least one sheet-like core element, typically comprising void spaces or channels and, bonded thereto, at least one layer of fuzzy woven composite for use in geotechnical applications. The superior adhesion or bonding of the respective layers to one another, and its contribution to the structural integrity of void spaces or channels, enables the construction and positioning of drainage composites having the desirable characteristics of high permittivity and high transmissivity. Numerous embodiments of the invention are possible. Fuzzy geocomposites of the invention can be used, for example, underneath buildings, foundations, roadways and other paved structures, or in landfills or other types of geotechnical installations to replace or complement conventional drainage materials such as sand, stone and gravel. Methods for making the fuzzy geocomposites are also provided.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a synthetic drainable base course (“SDBC”), and paved structures that may advantageously include an SDBC, are provided. As a key advantage of SDBC's according to the invention, they are of sufficient capacities and structural strength to be used within layered paved structures such as highways, airport runways and parking lots, to provide drainage superior to that afforded by conventional means and methods involving the use of open graded base courses that are typically formed of natural soils and aggregate and are extremely expensive to install. The invention includes means and methods that use conventional heavy equipment for installing an SDBC during the construction of a roadway or other paved surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to scrims, geonets, void-maintaining geocomposite core elements and geocomposite structures comprising high-friction polymers, and methods for making and utilizing them. The high-friction characteristics of components of the invention provide increased resistance to the negative effects of shear forces in laminates which employ them. Scrims, geonets, void-maintaining geocomposite core elements and geocomposite structures according to the invention are particularly useful in slope installations where at least a portion of the geocomposite is at a slope angle of greater than 4 degrees.

Abstract: Unitary void-maintaining geocomposites, and drainage systems utilizing those geocomposites, are provided for location below a road surface or below a large structure such as a building, retaining wall or parking lot. In some embodiments, the geocomposites include at least one fluid-transmissible layer, preferably a geotextile, attached adjacent an upper or lower surface, or both surfaces, of a polymer-based core element. In other embodiments, the core element is constructed such that no geotextile layer is needed. Characteristic of the core element is high transmissivity, that is, a high rate of horizontal flow of gases or liquids through the core. Characteristic of the at least one fluid-transmissible layer is high permittivity, that is, a high rate of vertical transmission of liquids and gases through the geotextile layer and into the core element. Also characteristic of fluid-transmissible layers of the invention is high exclusivity with respect to solid materials.

Abstract: Void-maintaining geocomposite laminates, and drainage systems utilizing those laminates, are provided for location below a road surface or below a large structure such as a building, retaining wall or parking lot. The laminates include at least one fluid-transmissible layer adjacent an upper or lower surface of a polymer-based core. Optionally, another fluid-transmissible layer is provided adjacent a lower surface of the polymer-based core to form geocomposite laminates having high permittivity and high transmissivity. The one or more fluid-transmissible layers are preferably geotextiles. Characteristic of the core element is high transmissivity, that is, a high rate of horizontal flow of gases or liquids through the core. Characteristic of the at least one fluid-transmissible layer is high permittivity, that is, a high rate of vertical transmission of liquids and gases through the geotextile layer and into the core element.