Method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles and a subsurface insulation material
AssigneesMaxwell Andrews, Diamond J. Industries Ltd.
InventorMaxwell Andrews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles. The steps include excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water. A subsurface layer of thermal insulation is then laid over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing. The subsurface layer of thermal insulation has a top surface and a bottom surface. A subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action is also laid parallel to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water.
Claims13
A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles, comprising the steps of:
- excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water;
- laying a subsurface layer of thermal insulation over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having a top surface and a bottom surface, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation also having downwardly angled wings, thereby preventing frost penetration from peripheral edges of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation;
- and
- laying a subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action, the subsurface layer of wick material being parallel to the subsurface layer of thermal insulation and positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water.
A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles, comprising the steps of:
- excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water, the soil being excavated to a depth below a source of the subsurface flow of water, the affected area underlying a road;
- laying a subsurface layer of thermal insulation over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having a top surface and a bottom surface, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having downwardly angled wings, thereby preventing frost penetration from peripheral edges of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation;
- laying a subsurface layer of water repelling material parallel to the bottom surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation, thereby providing a barrier to the incursion of water from below the subsurface layer of thermal insulation;
- and
- laying a subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action, the subsurface layer of wick material being parallel to the top surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water, thereby drawing water originating from the source of water.
A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles, comprising the steps of;
- excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water, the affected area being along a right of way of a buried utility line;
- laying a subsurface layer of thermal insulation over the buried utility line, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having a top surface and a bottom surface, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having downwardly angled wings, thereby preventing frost penetration from peripheral edges of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation;
- and
- laying a subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action, the subsurface layer of wick material being parallel to the top surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water, thereby drawing rater originating from the source of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.