Composite structure for applying tiles to a surface, and systems and methods of using same

A tile assembly comprising:

• a surface covering tile defining a top surface and a bottom surface;
• and
• a composite structure having respective upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface of the composite structure bonded to the bottom surface of the tile, wherein the composite structure comprises:
• a fiber matrix;
• and
• a water-activated setting material, wherein the fiber matrix is impregnated with the water-activated setting material,
• wherein the composite structure is configured to be deformable prior to setting of the water-activated setting material such that the lower surface of the composite structure conforms to an underlying application surface when installed thereon while the top surface of the composite structure substantially engages at least 85% of the bottom surface of the tile.

A composite structure having respective upper and lower surfaces, the composite structure comprising:

• a fiber matrix;
• a water-activated setting material, wherein the fiber matrix is impregnated with the water-activated setting material;
• and
• an outer liner configured to hold the water-activated setting material in engagement with the fiber matrix,
• wherein the composite structure is configured to be deformable prior to setting of the water-activated setting material such that the bottom surface of the composite structure conforms to an underlying application surface when installed thereon.

A composite structure having respective upper and lower surfaces, the composite structure comprising:

• a fiber matrix;
• and
• a water-activated setting material, wherein the fiber matrix is impregnated with the water-activated setting material,
• wherein the composite structure has an uncompressed thickness between 2 mm and 20 mm and is deformable up to 50% of the uncompressed thickness,
• wherein the composite structure is deformable prior to setting of the water-activated setting material such that a first surface of the composite structure is configured to conform to an underlying application surface when installed thereon, and
• wherein the composite structure is configured to couple one or more decorative surface tiles to the underlying application surface such that the composite structure is disposed between the one of more decorative surface tiles and underlying application surface.