Abstract: The protection of roadway surface dressings against the initiation and the propagation of cracks is accomplished by interposition between the base layer and the surfacing layer of a binding layer consisting of a nonwoven geotextile interface impregnated with modified bituminous binders. The textile interface is a nonwoven fabric composed of continuous synthetic filaments of flat cross-section (width-to-thickness ratio of between 10/1 and 5/1), and are resistant to the temperatures of application of bitumen or of bituminous materials, have a low void index, are resistant to aromatic and aliphatic solvents, have a low compressibility, are deformable in the plane of laying and have a surface density preferably of between 100 grams and 300 grams per square meter. The modified bitumen is preferably based on styrene/butadiene/styrene copolymer and has characteristics such as: penetration 180/220, ring and ball 74.degree. C., penetration index 1.

Abstract: An irrigating device formed from an absorbent product, such as a polymeric pulp or hydrophilic textile contained within a filtering envelope, such as a woven, knitted or non-woven fabric. The device is placed in the ground in communication with a source of water which may be above or below ground. The irrigation device provides for a uniform rate of irrigation of the soil in which it is placed, requires less water than conventional irrigation devices providing the same overall coverage, and is not subject to dogging or blockage, as with conventional irrigation devices.In one embodiment for preparing the irrigation device, the absorbent product is in the form of a tow of hydrophilic continuous filament and the textile filter envelope is produced in a continuous in-line operation in conjunction with the production of the tow.The irrigation device can be applied to the irrigation of soils to facilitate the growth of plants, trees, crops and the germination of seeds.