High-flow void-maintaining membrane laminates, grids and methods
AssigneeAdvanced Geotech Systems
InventorsPeter J. Ianniello, Aigen Zhao, Gary L. Shaffer
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Abstract
A myriad of permutations of void-maintaining membrane laminates are provided. Laminates of the invention are particularly useful for providing high performance drainage within layered paved structures such as highways, airport runways and parking lots. Void-maintaining laminates of the invention comprise compression elements that are shaped, adapted and arranged to cooperate with base and upper layers such that superior flow capacities are attained through their void spaces, channels and paths, even under pressures in excess of 5,000 lbs per square inch.
Claims78
A void-maintaining laminate comprising
- a) a sheet-like base layer,
- said base layer having a lower surface and an upper surface;
- b) a plurality of compression elements extending from said upper surface of said base layer,
- each of said compression elements comprising a base, a tip located distal to said base, a shaft extending between said base and said tip, a shaft axis having a length measured from said base to said tip, and a neck diameter measured substantially perpendicular to said shaft length at a narrowest portion of said shaft;
- and
- c) a top layer,
- said top layer having a permittivity to fluids, and wherein said top layer is attached to a plurality of said compression elements at their respective said tips
- wherein said base layer, top layer and compression elements are constructed and arranged such that said laminate has a transmissivity of at least 10−3 M2 sec−1 of aqueous liquid at a normal load of at least 100 PSF (pounds/ft2) sustainable for at least 100 hours.
A method for forming void-maintaining laminates to meet desired specifications, comprising the acts or steps of:
- A) providing a base layer, said base layer comprising a plurality of compression elements, said compression elements being contiguous with said base layer, and said compression elements comprising compression element tips which are
- i) located distal to said base layer, and
- ii) disposed substantially perpendicular to said base layer;
- B) providing a fluid-permeable geotextile top layer, wherein said top layer is attached to a plurality of said compression element tips,
- wherein said base layer, top layer and compression elements are constructed and arranged such that said laminate achieves said desired specifications,
- and wherein said desired specifications comprise a transmissivity of at least 10−3 M2 sec−1 of aqueous liquid at a normal load of at least 100 PSF (pounds/ft2) sustainable for at least 100 hours.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.