An industrial mat that has a support core configured and arranged to support other components of the mat; and upper and lower layers that provide upper and lower surfaces of the mat and that protect the support core. The support core includes a frame of longitudinal side members, end members and cross members each of which is made of steel or a thermosetting plastic material. The frame can include wood, plastic or elastomeric internal members or materials to fill internal open areas of the frame, with the upper and lower layers and the sides and ends of the frame retaining the internal members or materials therein. The mat preferably includes lifting elements of D-shaped rings, O-shaped rings, chains, or cables attached to the upper or lower layer or the support core to provide certified overhead lifting of the mat for installation and reclamation thereof.

A crane mat having first and second side beams or boards; a core structure made of pine or other softwoods, eucalyptus, solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that optionally include a filler or internal reinforcing structure; external components including an upper and/or lower layers of one or more elongated members to protect the core structure, and a plurality of joining members that attach the outer side members to the core structure. Another crane mat can be made of just the solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough; and joining members that include a rod that passes through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. These crane mats may also include lifting elements of the types described herein.

A crane mat having first and second side beams or boards; a core structure made of pine or other softwoods, eucalyptus, solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that optionally include a filler or internal reinforcing structure; external components including an upper and/or lower layers of one or more elongated members to protect the core structure, and a plurality of joining members that attach the outer side members to the core structure. Another crane mat can be made of just the solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough; and joining members that include a rod that passes through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. These crane mats may also include lifting elements of the types described herein.

A support unit (10) is connectable together with similar such units to form a temporary roadway. A plurality of upwardly extending and tapering recesses (18) are provided on a lower surface (20) of the support unit (10) to provide engagement with the ground. Locking arrangements and respective flanges and corresponding recesses are provided on the sides of the support units (10), for interconnecting adjacent such units (10).

A support unit (10) is connectable together with similar such units to form a temporary roadway. A plurality of upwardly extending and tapering recesses (18) are provided on a lower surface (20) of the support unit (10) to provide engagement with the ground. Locking arrangements and respective flanges and corresponding recesses are provided on the sides of the support units (10), for interconnecting adjacent such units (10).

A perforated geocell is made from a plurality of strips that form cells. Each cell wall has a single pattern of perforations spaced evenly over the cell wall. This avoids uneven distributions of stress over the cell wall, reducing deformation of the geocell.

Modular foundation systems for assembling floating platform assemblies. Modular foundation systems comprise a base mat sized to engage retaining members within a grooves formed in the upper surface of the base mat. Using a combination of a number of base mats and retaining members, a platform assembly of virtually any desired size and shape can be readily assembled.

System for electrically grounding a reusable load-supporting surface includes at least two mats and a plurality of substantially planar, removable, electrically-conductive covers. Each cover extends at least partially across the top face of one of the mats without extending over any of the edges thereof and is flexibly coupled to the mat sufficient to allow the mat to flex, expand and contract relative to the cover due to environmental factors and the movement of personnel, vehicles and/or equipment across the load-supporting surface during normal, typical or expected use conditions.

A safety surface with an engineered shock-absorbing base. The base may include one or more engineered resilient mats. The mats may be fabricated of repurposed tire rubber. The mats may be adjoined edgewise. Adjoined mats may be coupled together. The base may overlay a surface. The base may include upward-facing pockets. Interiors of the pockets may receive loose fill. An upper layer may cover the base. The upper layer may bond to the base. The upper layer may seal the loose fill within the safety surface. The upper layer may include poured-in-place surfacing. The upper layer may be textured. The upper layer may include synthetic turf. Impact upon the upper layer may be attenuated by flexion of the base. Mats may be coupled without hardware fasteners. Exterior surfaces of pockets of one mat may be nested into complementarily contoured features of an adjoining mat.

A structural reinforced composite construction mat includes a plurality of composite plastic beams that are ganged together to define the mat, with a plurality of flitch plates disposed between at least some of the plastic beams to provide additional strength and rigidity to the mat. The plastic beams may be made of a composite material have a generally rectangular cross-section. The flitch plates have a width (vertical height) when disposed between adjacent beams that is less than the width (vertical height) of the beams, such that the flitch plates may be recessed below and above the top and bottom surfaces of the mat, respectively. A plurality of rods extend in the lateral direction through the beams and plates to compress the beams and plates against each. The flitch plates may be metal or fiber-reinforced resin and may further include slotted holes to allow the beams to retract lengthwise in response to environmental changes.