A laminated mat for use as the temporary surface at a construction site or roadway leading thereto. This mat includes at least three layers of boards in a top layer, at least one core layer and a base layer. Preferably, each layer is rectangular. The top and base layers each include a plurality of parallel boards of substantially equal length that are made of oak or other hardwoods, or of plastic or elastomeric materials. The core layer includes a plurality of parallel boards of substantially equal length that are made of chemically treated softwood, encapsulated softwood, or of plastic or elastomeric materials, with the boards arranged to be perpendicular to the boards of the top layer, and configured so that adjacent boards in the core layer engage, contact and abut each other to minimize or eliminate space between adjacent boards to improve the strength of the core layer.

A laminated mat for use as the temporary surface at a construction site or roadway leading thereto. This mat includes at least three layers of boards in a top layer, at least one core layer and a base layer. Preferably, each layer is rectangular. The top and base layers each include a plurality of parallel boards of substantially equal length that are made of oak or other hardwoods, or of plastic or elastomeric materials. The core layer includes a plurality of parallel boards of substantially equal length that are made of chemically treated softwood, encapsulated softwood, or of plastic or elastomeric materials, with the boards arranged to be perpendicular to the boards of the top layer, and configured so that adjacent boards in the core layer engage, contact and abut each other to minimize or eliminate space between adjacent boards to improve the strength of the core layer.

An inventory of industrial mats having different core or internal constructions that are not visible because of the inclusion of side, end, upper and lower components which hide the core or internal construction from view, wherein each mat has an electronic device that indicates what is present in the hidden core or internal construction of the mat, with the electronic device including a processor, storage, and wireless communications circuitry that is configured to transmit identification, location, usage or physical property information of the mats over a wireless telecommunications network. Also, a method for providing an identification of mat properties or usage for an inventory of mats by viewing the information stored on the electronic device or by retrieving over a wireless telecommunications network identification, location, usage or physical property information of the mats from the storage of the electronic device.

An inventory of industrial mats having different core or internal constructions that are not visible because of the inclusion of side, end, upper and lower components which hide the core or internal construction from view, wherein each mat has an electronic device that indicates what is present in the hidden core or internal construction of the mat, with the electronic device including a processor, storage, and wireless communications circuitry that is configured to transmit identification, location, usage or physical property information of the mats over a wireless telecommunications network. Also, a method for providing an identification of mat properties or usage for an inventory of mats by viewing the information stored on the electronic device or by retrieving over a wireless telecommunications network identification, location, usage or physical property information of the mats from the storage of the electronic device.

A method of making a modular engineered wood composite road (40) includes determining a bearing strength of the soil at a location where the modular engineered wood composite road will be installed; determining a bearing strength of the soil at a location where a modular engineered wood composite road (40) will be installed; determining a flexural strength and stiffness required for the modular engineered wood composite road (40) based on the determined bearing strength of the soil at the location where the modular engineered wood composite road (40) will be installed; assembling a plurality of engineered wood composite billets (46) from a plurality of composite wood laminations, wherein each engineered wood composite billet (46) has the required flexural strength and stiffness; and assembling the engineered wood composite billets (46) to define the modular engineered wood composite road (40).

A method of making a modular engineered wood composite road (40) includes determining a bearing strength of the soil at a location where the modular engineered wood composite road will be installed; determining a bearing strength of the soil at a location where a modular engineered wood composite road (40) will be installed; determining a flexural strength and stiffness required for the modular engineered wood composite road (40) based on the determined bearing strength of the soil at the location where the modular engineered wood composite road (40) will be installed; assembling a plurality of engineered wood composite billets (46) from a plurality of composite wood laminations, wherein each engineered wood composite billet (46) has the required flexural strength and stiffness; and assembling the engineered wood composite billets (46) to define the modular engineered wood composite road (40).

A method of supporting an upright member from a support surface includes inserting an elongated carrier of an upright member support system into a hole in the support surface. A base of the support system is positioned at least partially around the carrier so the base contacts at least one upper surface of the support surface. A lock of the support system is releasably engaged with the carrier above the base and tightened down sufficient to maintain the base in contact with the support surface. The upright member is inserted into a bore of the carrier.

A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

System for supporting an upright member from a support surface includes an elongated carrier releasably engageable with the support surface, a base adapted to extend around at least part of the lower end of the carrier and abut the support surface and at least one anchor associated with the carrier and configured to grip the upright member when the upright member is inserted into a bore of the carrier.