Disclosed is a rapidly deployable, above grade, low-thermal conducting, grillage-type foundation system made of composite materials, and erectable at or above grade for supporting structures like equipment shelters and communication masts. These units include generator sheds, communication shelters, fuel tanks, radio masts, and the like. The foundation system has one or more layers of beams laid at right angles to each other, and is used to disperse heavy point loads of a superstructure to an acceptable ground bearing pressure. Web stiffeners were affixed to foundation beams and vertical support members were fixed to the upper surface of the foundation beams, to stiffen the foundation and structure at every footing. The foundation is adapted to be installed with little site preparation, is easily transportable with a medium lift helicopter. Essentially, the foundation was engineered to only use steel in its assembly for the metal feet, angles, plates and the like.

A vehicle sediment tracking control device includes: a plurality of tread deformation stages, wherein the tread deformation stages are separated from each other by a plurality of thru slats; wherein each of the plurality of tread deformations stages comprise a base section and a pitched surface that defines a continuous cleat, the pitched surface having a peak that includes a serrated edge.

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.

System for preventing the leakage of liquid from an outdoor work-site around the perimeter of the work-site includes a load-supporting surface having at least two adjacent mats and a plurality of berm members configured to be disposed around the perimeter of the load-supporting surface.

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).

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.

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 system and method for the construction of a hemp mat having consistent density whereby the hemp fiber mat may be used to strengthen ice or other entities for any number of applications and different types of construction designed such that it may be sturdy enough to stay bonded when it is transported, unrolled, and soaked during ice road construction but loose enough to break apart during spring to reduce blockage and environmental damage to the waterway on which the ice road was constructed.

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.