Abstract: A paving block with improved illumination (luminescent paving block) preferably includes a concrete base layer and a photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer is formed on top of the concrete base layer. The concrete base layer is preferably created by combining sand, aggregate, water, pigment and cement to form an uncured concrete mixture. The photoluminescent layer preferably includes very fine aggreagate, cement, water, pigment, photoluminescent sand and a polyester resin infused with a photoluminescent pigment or a silica-based glass material infused with photoluminescent pigment. Further, a light transmitting sealant may be placed over the photoluminescent material.

Abstract: A running track includes a reinforced concrete slab base that is poured over and around post-tensioning cables suspended therein. The post-tensioning cables include transverse cables that extend transversely across the base, and lengthwise cable structures extending lengthwise through the base. Each lengthwise cable structure includes a series of individual segments that are joined end-to-end to form respective continuous loops and are individually tensioned. The lengthwise cable structures thus exert compressive forces on the base that are continuous and uninterrupted about the circumferential length of the track. The lengthwise cable segments are joined/tensioned from within voids initially formed within the concrete base and, after tensioning, these voids are filled with concrete to provide a concrete base having a uniform top surface that can also be covered in a running surface.

Abstract: A permeable paver and paving slab that have water permeability of on average about 1 inch per hour and compressive strength of an average of about 5000 psi to 8000 psi, the paver and paving slab manufactured by forming a mixture comprising blast-furnace slag, sand, gravel and Portland cement into predetermined sizes, shapes and colors as desired utilizing a hydraulic-type or equivalent compacting block forming machine.

Abstract: A permeable paver and paving slab that have water permeability of on average about 1 inch per hour and compressive strength of an average of about 5000 psi to 8000 psi, the paver and paving slab manufactured by forming a mixture comprising blast-furnace slag, sand, gravel and Portland cement into predetermined sizes, shapes and colors as desired utilizing a hydraulic-type or equivalent compacting block forming machine.

Abstract: An oil field mat assembly having a pair of interlocking full mats connected by interlocking half mats. Each full mat has a bottom layer, a bottom interlocking segment formed on the bottom layer, a middle layer, an alignment control means, a top layer, a top interlocking segment formed on the top layer on the same side that the top layer connects to the middle layer, and an anti-curling bar.

Abstract: A permeable surface covering unit comprises a top surface and at least two pairs of irregularly shaped mating sides, one or more passageways extending downwardly from the top surface, and at least one under channel connected to the passageways for retaining liquid, such as storm water. The sides of the unit preferably define an irregular rotational tessellation element. The passageways may comprise gaps or side cavities between units and/or core cavities or other passageways within the unit. Optional undercuts may be provided in the core cavities. Pervious material plugs are cast into the cavities extending into the channel or undercut. Thereby the plug is locked into the cavity like a rivet and resists being dislodged by mechanical or hydraulic forces. A permeable surface embodiment comprises a combination of pervious and impervious units, wherein the ratio of permeable to impermeable units and resulting surface absorption rate may be adjusted.

Abstract: A precast roadway slab is pre-tensioned longitudinally and transversely, and may also be post-tensioned. A casting bed has the capability of permitting pre-tensioning of a concrete cast to be carried out within the casting bed in both the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. Slots are provided at regular intervals within the side walls and jacking heads of the casting bed for tensioning wires to pass therethrough for pre-tensioning. The process utilizes a multilayer grid of pre-tensioning wires disposed within the casting bed, prior to pouring of the concrete. The cast concrete product can also be made with optional tubular ducts, laid parallel to the longitudinal wires, for post-tensioning subsequent to the cast of the concrete. The post-tensioning of the hardened cast, if called for, takes place at the job site.

Abstract: A permeable paver that has water permeability of on average about 1 inch per hour and compressive strength of an average of about 8000 psi, the paver manufactured by forming a mixture comprising blast-furnace slag, sand, gravel and portland cement into predetermined sizes, shapes and colors as desired utilizing a hydraulic-type or equivalent compacting block forming machine.

Abstract: A roadway is formed by a plurality of mats flexibly connected together at their ends. The mats are rectangular in configuration to form straight sections of the roadway and trapezoidal in configuration to form curved sections. Each mat comprises a flat platform of transverse wooden boards secured to side rails at their ends. The mats may be tied together at their ends by overlapping flat steel plates secured together by bolts to form links or connections. Or hinge-type assemblies may be useful. The connections have sufficient flexibility to allow the mats to conform to uneven terrain. The rails may function as curbs to limit a vehicle, passing along the roadway, from slipping off sideways. The mats are relatively light, allowing manual installation.

Abstract: A rig mat is formed by rectangular panels fastened end to end by cooperating connectors. In one arrangement the first connector is C-shaped shaped to form a slot and the second T-shaped shaped with a flange of the T wider than the mouth inserted through the mouth. In a second arrangement two L shaped connectors are interengaged with an additional flat plate which defines a slot with an end of one of the L-shaped connectors. The panels are composite and formed from a honeycomb core panel with a foam material filling the tubular cells and a fibrous reinforcing cover sheets extending over the top and bottom of the panel. The cover sheets are filled with a set resin material which extends into the porous fibrous material of the walls of the core panel so as to form an integral structure of the resin extending between the walls and the sheets.

Abstract: A temporary roadway with a static resistant synthetic inter-connectable structural mats which connect without tools or fasteners having a top layer, a middle layer and a bottom layer. The static resistant synthetic inter-connectable structural mats can have static charge conduction conduit through the mat and the mats can be made from 100 percent recycled rust proof, non-absorbing materials.

Abstract: A Structural Composite Glulam-Steel Rig Mat includes a unique steel frame and manufactured with unique tongue and grooved glulam beams with the boards horizontally arranged. The unique steel frame includes unique lifting eyes for cranes in the corners of the rig mat and smooth radius steel channel around the perimeter of the rig mat to enable easy handling by forklifts. The unique steel frame surrounds unique full length, engineered glulam beams which together with the steel frame make the resulting rig mat significantly stronger than the traditional rig mat.

Abstract: A paver assembly includes a substrate member having a bottom wall adapted to support the paver assembly above a roof surface, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and at least one engagement member extending above the bottom wall, and an over-molded paver member having a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and a top surface adapted to support a person thereon, wherein the bottom surface is molded about the at least one engagement member, thereby securing the paver member to the substrate member.

Abstract: Paving stone (1) which can degrade environmental pollutant elements or gases, comprising a body provided with two layers, a first surface layer (2) and a second base layer (3) which are solidly overlapped, where said surface layer (2) comprises a solidified paste including cement, silica sand, titanium dioxide, zeolite and ferric oxides or FeO2, marble pebbles and recycled materials, while the base layer (3) comprises a solidified paste including cement, preferably grey, aggregate particles and recycled materials, and a method for producing said stone (1) in a continuous process.

Abstract: A rig mat is formed by rectangular panels fastened end to end by cooperating connectors. In one arrangement the first connector is C-shaped shaped to form a slot and the second T-shaped shaped with a flange of the T wider than the mouth inserted through the mouth. In a second arrangement two L shaped connectors are interengaged with an additional flat plate which defines a slot with an end of one of the L-shaped connectors. The panels are composite and formed from a honeycomb core panel with a foam material filling the tubular cells and a fibrous reinforcing cover sheets extending over the top and bottom of the panel. The cover sheets are filled with a set resin material which extends into the porous fibrous material of the walls of the core panel so as to form an integral structure of the resin extending between the walls and the sheets.

Abstract: CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.

Abstract: Slags, including the harmful-substance-containing slags, are not directly melted but are neutralized and processed into eco-resource materials, so that the slugs can be effectively utilized to purify and revive a large area of polluted water without any burden on the environment. Predetermined proportions of a non-recyclable harmful-substance-containing unused slag selected from by-product slags produced during the refining of a metal such as iron, copper, or aluminum from an ore, a porcelain clay for ceramics, and a mineral clay for ceramics, such as a quartz powder or an alumina powder, are kneaded to form a clay material with a suitable size. The clay material is burnt in a burning oven for ceramics at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time so that a liquid glaze can sufficiently penetrate into the inner region of the clay material, thereby forming a biscuit clay material.

Abstract: A permeable paver that has water permeability of on average about 1 inch per hour and compressive strength of an average of about 8000 psi, the paver manufactured by forming a mixture comprising blast-furnace slag, sand, gravel and Portland cement into predetermined sizes, shapes and colors as desired utilizing a hydraulic-type or equivalent compacting block forming machine.

Abstract: CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.

Abstract: A former, process for making same, process for using same, and resulting pavement-like site, where the former is a one-time use structure made of wood fiber or paper pulp molded into a rigid shape and defining a plurality of hollow peak-like structures extending from a base sheet. Each peak is substantially closed at its extremity away from the base sheet and open at the extremity at the base sheet. This former is used for installing combination pavement and dirt/gravel surfaces such as those known under the tradename Grasscrete®.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.

Abstract: A panel apparatus comprises a tongue-in-groove connection connecting first and second panels. A support secured to one of the panels underlies the tongue-in-groove connection for support thereof when a load is applied.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a variable stiffness structure is provided having constant stiffness material layers and variable modulus material layers arranged in alternating layers. The variable modulus material layers have a material with a changeable elastic modulus in response to an applied energy field so as to allow reversible coupling and decoupling of stress transfer between successive layers of the constant stiffness material layers to provide a change in a bending stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The constant stiffness material layers may include segmented portions. The constant stiffness material layers may have segmented portions arranged such that successive layers of the plurality of constant stiffness material layers have overlapping segmented portions. The variable modulus material layers may have shaped structures, for example, corrugation, pillars, striations, tubular, or honeycomb configurations.

Abstract: A plurality of wood planks are embedded and encased in a one-piece rubber mat to form a monolithic one-piece roadway element. A special coupling means is used to couple one roadway element to an adjacent roadway element to form a roadway surface over which heavy equipment can traverse.

Abstract: Permeable and elastic pavement blocks comprising waste-polyurethane chips, which use a binder specially developed to secure the binding between an upper polyurethane-chip layer and a lower permeable-concrete layer as well as the binding among the waste-polyurethane chips, resulting in excellent strength and durability, and use recycled polyurethane chips to provide elasticity and permeability suitable for sports activities, walking, and outdoor exercises the like.

Abstract: A composite floor tile is disclosed which can be installed without bonding it to a floor foundation or an existing floor. This composite tile comprises a base member of a metal material which is bonded on its top to a slab of a stone material and is bonded on its bottom to at least one rest member intended for ground contact. 14. A composite tile according to either claim 10 or 11, wherein the material from which said rests (7) are formed is selected from a group comprising architectural- or industrial-grade rubber, soft polyvinylchloride (PVC), pressed felt, latex, and silicone.

Abstract: A paving stone system for producing aesthetically pleasing paving stones. The paving stone system includes positioning a tile member within a container, applying a bonding agent to the tile member and filling the container with concrete. The tile member is comprised of a flat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side wall extending from the lower surface and a second side wall extending from the lower surface. The first side wall and the second side wall are preferably curved inwardly toward one another to lock within the concrete. A unique pattern may be applied to the upper surface of the tile member providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A postensed celled concrete runway for take off and landing of aircraft is described, also for racetracks, freeways and highways, characterized by a celled structure wherein each cell contains: nervures, a cell base and a cell cover that forms the surface of runway. A core composed of expanded polystyrene is located between the nervures, base and cover, such that the volume weight of the cells is less than subsoil density. The celled structure also contains a leveling means that acts over cells of the celled structure to allow the cells to move in an upward and downward direction so that the runway surface can be leveled when there are sunken areas on the ground.

Abstract: A paving material for footways, possessing high strength and lightweight property. The paving material for footways, comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer is made of rubber chips (A1) and a synthetic resin (A2) for binding the rubber chips (A1), and the lower layer is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic (B).

Abstract: A reusable mat system for the construction of load bearing surfaces, such as temporary roadways and equipment support surfaces, over unstable or unsubstantial terrain, comprising durable, interlocking individual mats which can be quickly and easily installed in a single application, and which can thereafter be easily removed and stored until needed again. The individual mats of the present invention interlock on all sides to form stable and continuous load bearing surfaces, and exhibit favorable traction characteristics.

Abstract: Synthetic kerbstones and method for use in the construction of roads, pathways and footpaths. The synthetic kerbstones described herein can support the edges of a road surface in the same manner as conventional kerbstones so as to allow the construction and use of the road during, for example, nearby building works. The synthetic kerbs can be driven over without the possibility of damage to the appearance of the final road. At the end of these building works, the temporary synthetic kerbs are removed and replaced with conventional kerbstones (typically made of concrete or stone). In use, the synthetic kerbstones described herein are preferably reusable. Alternatively, the kerbstones may be left in place and advantage taken of their resistance to damage on being mounted by vehicles. In this way, the holes or channels 2, 4 running longitudinally through the kerb can be used to provide services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage.

Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds constructed of cellular concrete at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units resistant to such effects are described. A block of compressible material, such as cellular concrete, provides compressive failure characteristics suitable for arresting travel of an aircraft overrunning a runway. A top sheet of relatively thin frangible material positioned above the block provides a stronger, more damage resistant surface, while still readily fracturing in an arresting incident. Intermediate material, such as a foam layer, under the top sheet may be included to provide a protective cushioning effect by mitigating transmission of external phenomena forces to the block. A wrapping, such as polyester net, at least partially enclosing other portions of the arresting unit provides a stable unified composite, without destroying desired compressive failure characteristics of the unit.

Abstract: A reusable mat system for the construction of load bearing surfaces, such as temporary roadways and equipment support surfaces, over unstable or unsubstantial terrain, comprising durable, interlocking individual mats which can be quickly and easily installed in a single application, and which can thereafter be easily removed and stored until needed again. The individual mats of the present invention interlock on all sides to form stable and continuous load bearing surfaces, and exhibit favorable traction characteristics.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling the amount of ionized gases and/or particles suspended in the air above roads, streets, open spaces or the like. This is done by establishing an electrical field between the top layer of a road, street, open space or the like, and the said ionized gases and/or particles. By means of controlling the electrical field we will be able to control the amount of ionized gases and/or particles. The invention also indicates how the electrical field can be established between surfaces in the immediate vicinity of a road, street, open space or the like, for example in tunnel walls. The electrical field is established by making at least the top layer of the surface concerned electrically conductive and connecting it to earth or to one pole of an electrical voltage source.

Abstract: A paving stone system for producing aesthetically pleasing paving stones in an efficient and cost effective manner. The paving stone system includes positioning a tile member within a container, applying a bonding agent to the tile member and filling the container with concrete. The tile member is comprised of a flat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side wall extending from the lower surface and a second side wall extending from the lower surface. The first side wall and the second side wall are preferably curved inwardly toward one another to lock within the concrete. A unique pattern may be applied to the upper surface of the tile member providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A mosaic tessera, particularly for outdoor and/or indoor paving, constituted by a small metallic plate which is peripherally provided with perimetric raised portions forming a recess together with the corresponding face of the plate and by a filler element which is shaped complementarily to the recess and is associated with the recess so as to form a single tessera adapted to be applied to the foundation of the paving.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a paving stone. The invention also relates to a paving stone.

Abstract: A porous pavement construction formed from environmental porous pavement materials is formed with a number of aqueduct channels located underneath the pavement surface, so that water can percolate downward into the pavement and enter the channels. Methods of forming this pavement structure are also discussed.

Abstract: A pavement composite material having elasticity and permeability can be obtained by accommodating a permeable concrete block after the solidification molding applied with an adhesive having a 50 to 100 centipoise viscosity on the surface to be bonded in a heat press mold, injecting a mixture of 50 to 90% by weight of rubber or plastic chips having a 1.0 to 10.0 mm particle size and 50 to 10% by weight of a thermosetting resin thereon, and a heat compression molding.

Abstract: A cushioning pad or mat for protecting a rig surface or alternatively, an article placed on the pad wherein the mat is made of elements which are laminated construction with a base layer of neoprene, or similar materials, and the elements are connected with channels and the top of the elements are connected to the base of the elements using between 2 and 32 rib members, which can be rivets and a method of making such a cushioning pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a crack in a bituminous road surface utilizes a beam embedded in the road surface. A slot is cut in the road with the crack centered therein. A fiber reinforced plastic composite beam has a plurality of fingers extending from one end thereof. The beam is placed on a sand base in the slot with a straight end of the beam on one side of the crack and a serrated/finger end on the opposed side of the crack. A panel having apertures therein is positioned over the finger end of the crack. A course aggregate material is placed atop the sand base within epoxy material then filling the slot so as to anchor the beam therein. Upon curing, the road material is placed atop the beam and flush with the original road surface. The fingers are coated with a release agent to preclude binding with the surrounding epoxy material which allows for movement of the beam relative to the surrounding material upon forces acting upon the beam.

Abstract: Floor coverings of composite tiles having a polygonal ground plan and having elastic properties. A recess which is formed of a hollow space in the composite tiles can include a cylindrical support molded on the underside of the tiles. The walls of each composite tile can be stabilized by a supporting component which is connected to the vertical edges of the composite tiles and preferably extends to the lower edge of the tiles. Laying plates which include an arrangement designed to co-operate with the supports of the composite tiles can be used. The laying plates form a laying system which permits the laying of the composite tiles even on difficult substrates and provide for the laid composite tiles to be easily be lifted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textured tile for embedment in fresh concrete on a platform or walking surface comprising a generally planer element with an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having a plurality of upper projections therefrom to provide a distinctive texture relative to the surface of the platform or walkway, said tile having two opposite side edges intended for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, front and rear edges at least one of which faces oncoming pedestrian traffic. Vertical depending flanges are provided along said opposite side edges and said front and rear edges. There is a plurality of holes in said depending flanges and a series of projections depending from the lower surface of the generally planer element.

Abstract: A foothold of a manhole, a quay, and the like which enables operators to put their feet or foot on a tread in a natural state under a stable condition, and to reduce their fatigue with their feet or knees when they move up and down in a manhole by use of the foothold. The foothold of the manhole, the quay, and the like comprises the tread and side portions continued from and positioned at both sides of the tread, wherein at least the upper surface of the tread is inclined upward from a central portion of the tread toward the side portions at an angle ranging from 1 to 5 degrees.

Abstract: A reusable mat system for constructing roadways and equipment support surfaces comprising a plurality of uniform individual mats which are constructed of lightweight composite materials and which include strengthening agents. The individual mats partially overlap and interlock to form a continuous and substantially smooth surface, to prevent undesired movement of the mats on location, and to permit quick installation of the mats by simple placement methods.

Abstract: An improved surface covering includes a base having a plurality of receiving grooves on one side and a plurality of working grooves on the other side. Each receiving groove includes gripping projections and is constructed to receive and grip a filler material. To assemble the surface material, the base material is flexed so that the size of the receiving grooves is enlarged thereby making insertion of the filler material easy.

Abstract: A roadway surface for private driveways, rural roads and farm lanes or other light traffic surfaces is made from recycled asphalt roofing shingles in pieces, preferably elongated strips, that overlie one another to form a cushioning mat. The roadway surface has a base layer of crushed aggregate such as paving stone, gravel or dirt, over which is a middle layer of shredded or particulated asphalt roofing shingle waste materials, such as reclaimed used asphalt roofing shingles and optionally new shingle tabs or other shingle production waste. The binding characteristics of the shingle pieces can be enhanced by adding a petroleum distillate such as asphalt, bitumen, paraffin, or tar. A top dressing layer of crushed aggregate such as paving stone or gravel protects and isolates the cushioning mat of shingle pieces. Each layer can be applied using conventional roadway grading equipment, preferably in layers of about one to two inches thick.

Abstract: Pavement element such as a tile with an upper porous layer (2), below that a liquid-tight layer (3) and possibly there below a heavy layer (4). In order to keep a floor laid with suchlike elements well liquid-tight at the level of the liquid-tight layers sealing means (6) are provided between this layer (3) or one element and the same layer (3') of an adjacent element. Preferably these means consist in a rib or protrusion, which may cover the complete height of the liquid-tight layer. Preferably the porous layer is formed from particles of the same size having an irregular shape and the liquid-tight layer from particle from different particle sizes, such that the particles attain a high filling degree.

Abstract: Masonry landscaping modules and methods for landscaping using the modules are disclosed. The masonry modules each have an upper portion comprising a plurality of masonry elements bonded to an upper surface of a lower portion. The masonry elements, preferably clay brick, are arranged in predetermined patterns and spaced from each other on the upper surface of the lower portion to define masonry joints between them. The lower portion comprises a concrete base having side walls which taper inwardly toward a bottom surface of the lower portion to define a trapezoidally shaped lower portion. Either steel reinforcing bars or fiberglass fibers are embedded in the lower portion. In completed products such as patios and walkways where multiple modules are placed adjacent to each other, inverted Y-shaped or "key" paving joints are formed between modules. Methods of laying the modules to form a variety of masonry products such as paving and other decorative arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety tile, including a tile body of rigid material, such as concrete, and a cover plate provided with an enclosing edge and being of an elastically flexible material, such as rubber. The cover plate has ribs integrally formed therewith uniformly distributed at its bottom side directed towards the tile body, of which the bottom ends hang down and rest on the upper surface of the tile body. The ribs extend diagonally across the bottom side of the plate with main diagonals extending between two opposite corners of the cover plate. Near each of the two opposite corners, each main diagonal rib has a widened bearing face which forms the basis of a locking part connected therewith, which locking parts have been locked in the tile body.