Void-maintaining synthetic drainable base courses and methods for extending the useful life of paved structures

A layered paved structure comprising

• I. a base layer formed at least partially of native soil components,
• II. a synthetic drainable base course disposed above said base layer and comprising
• A) a void-maintaining geocomposite including
• i) a geocomposite core element having a plurality of ribs constructed and arranged to form a plurality of interconnected voids, said core element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a no-load thickness and a thickness under load, wherein said thicknesses are measured substantially perpendicular to said surfaces,
• ii) at least one fluid-transmissible layer attached adjacent said upper surface, and
• iii) at least one fluid-transmissible layer attached adjacent said lower surface of said geocomposite,
• wherein said layers and said core are constructed and arranged so that, under a load of at least 750 lbs/foot2 for a period of at least 100 hours, said geocomposite maintains voids of sufficient dimension that fluid from said roadway or other large structure can move freely through said geocomposite at rate of at least 1,000 feet3/day/foot, and
• III. above said synthetic drainable base course, pavement comprising one or more layers of asphalt or cementitious materials,
• wherein said synthetic drainable base course is sloped downwardly in a gradient from a portion of said roadway or other large structure.

A method of forming a layered paved structure having no open graded base course, comprising the steps of

• I. providing a base layer formed at least partially of native soil components,
• II. providing a synthetic drainable base course disposed above said base layer and comprising
• A) a void-maintaining geocomposite including
• i) a geocomposite core element having a plurality of ribs constructed and arranged to form a plurality of interconnected voids, said core element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a no-load thickness and a thickness under load, wherein said thicknesses are measured substantially perpendicular to said surfaces,
• ii) at least one fluid-transmissible layer attached adjacent said upper surface, and
• iii) at least one fluid-transmissible layer attached adjacent said lower surface of said geocomposite,
• wherein said layers and said core are constructed and arranged so that, under a load of at least 750 lbs/foot2 for a period of at least 100 hours, said geocomposite maintains voids of sufficient dimension that fluid from said roadway or other large structure can move freely through said geocomposite at rate of at least 1,000 feet3/day/foot, and
• III. above said synthetic drainable base course, providing pavement comprising one or more layers of asphalt or cementitious materials,
• wherein said synthetic drainable base course is sloped downwardly in a gradient from a portion of said roadway or other large structure.