An impact-absorbing assembly includes a covering layer being one or more of artificial turf, rubber mats, polymer mats, short pile carpeting, particulate infill, wood chips, and ground rubber chips. Also included is a layer of underlayment panels positioned beneath the covering layer. The panels have a panel section with a plurality of drain holes formed therethrough. A top surface of the panels is configured to support the covering layer. A bottom surface of the panels has a plurality of bottom projections that cooperate to define bottom channels suitable to permit water flow across the bottom surface, the bottom channels being in fluid communication with the panel drain holes. The bottom projections define a first spring rate characteristic that is part of a first stage and a second spring rate characteristic is part of a second stage, the first stage having a smaller volume of material than the second stage.

A photovoltaic structure, or a photovoltaic structure for a roadway suitable for circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, including: at least one photovoltaic cell; and a non-opaque coating covering at least a front face of the photovoltaic cell and having an outer surface which is macrotextured and microtextured irregularly, with a mean texture depth MTD, measured according to the norm NF EN 13036-1, of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and a polishing resistance value PRV, according to the norm NF EN 13043, of at least PRV.sub.44, or PRV.sub.50, or PRV.sub.53.

A photovoltaic structure, or a photovoltaic structure for a roadway suitable for circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, including: at least one photovoltaic cell; and a non-opaque coating covering at least a front face of the photovoltaic cell and having an outer surface which is macrotextured and microtextured irregularly, with a mean texture depth MTD, measured according to the norm NF EN 13036-1, of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and a polishing resistance value PRV, according to the norm NF EN 13043, of at least PRV.sub.44, or PRV.sub.50, or PRV.sub.53.

A cementitious composite includes a first layer, a second layer spaced from the first layer, a cementitious mixture disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a structure layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The cementitious mixture is disposed within the structure layer. The cementitious mixture includes cementitious materials. The cementitious mixture is configured to absorb a mass of water that provides a maximum 28 day compressive strength of the cementitious composite upon curing which is represented by M.sub.w=x.Math.M.sub.c. M.sub.w is the mass of water per unit area of the cementitious composite. M.sub.c is a mass of cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite. x is a ratio of the mass of water relative to the mass of cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite. x is between 0.25 and 0.55.

A cementitious composite includes a structure layer, cementitious material, a first layer, and a second layer. The structure layer defines a plurality of open spaces. The cementitious material is disposed within the plurality of open spaces of the structure layer. The first layer is disposed along a first side of the structure layer. The second layer is disposed along an opposing second side of the structure layer. The second layer is positioned to prevent at least a portion of the cementitious material from migrating out of the structure layer.

A method of slowing an aircraft overrunning a runway, including covering an area adjacent a runway with irregular foamed glass bodies having aspect ratios of about 1:1.9 and diameters of about 10 mm to about 80 mm to define a bed, pouring liquid cement over the foamed glass bodies such that the cement infiltrates at least through the bed, curing the liquid cement to define a composite material of foamed glass bodies in a cementitious matrix, and crushing at least a portion of the composite material with an oncoming aircraft, slowing the aircraft. The composite material is at least 85 volume percent foamed glass bodies. When pouring the cement, the liquid cement flows over and around the foamed glass bodies. The aggregate bodies crush and break up before slip failure occurs when being overrun by an aircraft. The aggregate bodies intersect to define stacking angles of about 35 degrees. The cementitious matrix has a cementitious surface.

An arrestor bed for slowing an aircraft overrunning a runway, including an elongated excavation and a plurality of irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies at least partially filing the excavation. Each respective irregularly shaped foamed glass body has an aspect ratio between 1:1.6 to 1:1.7 and a diameter of about 1 inch. The irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies intersect to define stacking angles of about 35 degrees. Under compression, the irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies crush and break up before slip failure occurs such that the roadbed has a crushing failure mode.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

A crane mat is disclosed having a plurality of panels of lumber positioned in alternating transverse directions with respect to one another, where the top and bottom panels are oriented parallel to the direction of vehicular traffic. The top and bottom panels may include a plurality of spaced apart grooves extending longitudinally from a first longitudinal end of the crane mat to a second longitudinal end of the crane mat for enhancing traction of a vehicle when traversing across the crane mat by transporting rain or moisture off the mat, or for receiving mud or other debris. The crane mat may include a plurality of edge protectors positioned on respective sides of the crane mat to protect the crane mat from handling damage. In various embodiments, the crane mat may be manufactured using either softwood, hardwood, or any combination of softwood and hardwood.

The present invention relates to tactile warning panels, and in particular to tactile warning panels that are designed and built with multi-function/multipurpose capabilities that serve the visually impaired and enable the deployment of smart city technology by integrating tactile warning systems and subsurface enclosures that can withstand pressures of five (5) tons up to and exceeding sixty (60) tons and incorporate small cells, beacons, sensors, Fog Computing, electric energy generation, rechargeable power supplies, wireless M2M communication and a plethora of other smart city technologies.