Abstract: An improved asphalt containing composition having desirable softening point and low temperature properties are prepared by incorporating into the asphalt a hydrogenated rubber, e.g., a hydrogenated styrene vinyl aromatic copolymer, a petroleum solvent, and an essentially amorphous silica.

Abstract: Oil floating on the surface of another liquid is contacted with crushed raw oil shale to adsorb the oil onto the shale. A vortex is created in the surface of the liquid, drawing the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon beneath the surface of the liquid. The invention provides method and apparatus for adsorbing oil on shale, causing the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon to sink below the surface of the liquid, recovering the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon from below the liquid surface, treating the crude shale to separate the oil from the shale, and recycling the crushed shale into contact with oil on the liquid surface.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete is prepared by embedding within it a reinforcing element of at least one rigid plastic gridwork (which is optionally filler reinforced) of integrally molded struts.

Abstract: An asphalt composition having high ductility at low temperatures is obtained by hot-mixing asphalt and 3 to 7 wt. % of sulfur, based on the weight of asphalt, at temperatures below 300.degree. F. Small amounts of rubber further increase the ductility.

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: A laminate is provided having sufficient strength and hydrocarbon resistance to be used as a pond liner. The laminate has at least one cohesive batt of polypropylene fiber having a weight of about 100 g/m.sup.2 to about 250 g/m.sup.2 heat bonded to at least one polyethylene film having a thickness of about 10 to about 50 mils and a density of about 0.905 to about 0.925 g/cc.

Abstract: A reservoir containing layered liquids is lined with a liner comprising a reaction resistant material lining the portion of the reservoir in contact with a reactive liquid with the remainder of the reservoir lined with a material that is not resistant to reaction with the reactive liquid. In a specific embodiment asphalt impregnated nonwoven fabric is used to line a reservoir portion in contact with water and butyl rubber impregnated nonwoven fabric is used to line the portion of the reservoir in contact with a hydrocarbon liquid floating on top of the water layer. In a specific embodiment sheets of liner material are fastened together in a liquid proof seal produced by facing liner sheets to be joined together, overlapping the face sheets with a layer of nonwoven fabric, sewing through the four strata laminate thus produced, and treating the nonwoven fabric with a liquid proofing substance.