Modular Mat System

A modular mat system comprising:

• a plurality of mat panels, each mat panel comprising a top skin, a bottom skin, a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end;
• a panel core section;
• and a flange about the periphery of the panel core section, the flange having a top surface, a bottom surface and a flange thickness;
• wherein the panel core section and the flange comprise:
• a base portion having a base core section having a base interior cell structure formed from base ribs having a base core rib thickness, a base side extension on the first side and a base end extension on the second side;
• an overlay portion having an overlay core section having an overlay interior cell structure formed from overlay ribs having an overlay core rib thickness, an overlay side extension that extends from the second side and an overlay end extension that extends from the second end;
• wherein the base side extension is configured to fit beneath the overlay side extension of a first adjacent mat panel and the base end extension is configured to fit beneath the overlay end extension of a second adjacent mat panel;wherein the base side extension, base end extension, overlay side extension, and overlay end extension collectively form the flange;a first wall rib having a cross-sectional thickness greater than the core section rib thickness, the first wall rib having an interior surface that substantially surrounds and defines the perimeter of the panel core section and an exterior surface that faces the flange, the first wall rib being configured to reinforce the central core section against deflection loading;
• anda sloped transition surface connecting the exterior surface of the first wall rib to the top surface of the flange.