The present disclosure is directed to artificial topographical structures, such as mounds, installed at playgrounds using a structural framework. The structural framework is made up of a first plurality of panels extending in a first direction and a second plurality of panels extending in a second direction, with the second direction being transverse to the first direction. Each of the second plurality of panels may be connected to one or more of the first plurality of panels, such as through a complementary arrangement of slots. The artificial structure also includes at least a support layer and a cushion layer. The upper edges of the panels are designed to together provide an artificial mound having a defined contour.

A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface. The drainage hole may be at least partially coupled to projection channels on the bottom-side projections, where the projection channels act as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole.

Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface. The drainage hole may be at least partially coupled to projection channels on the bottom-side projections, where the projection channels act as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole.

A form for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes and supporting a home plate in a support structure of a synthetic turf field for playing baseball or softball includes a hollow frame comprising an open upper surface and an open lower surface, the hollow frame sized to extend under the batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and a home plate frame supportable by the hollow frame, the home plate frame having a cavity for receiving the home plate.

A form for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes and supporting a home plate in a support structure of a synthetic turf field for playing baseball or softball includes a hollow frame comprising an open upper surface and an open lower surface, the hollow frame sized to extend under the batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and a home plate frame supportable by the hollow frame, the home plate frame having a cavity for receiving the home plate.

Barriers, such as vehicle impact barriers for placing upon an existing surface such as a road surface, or a paved surface, or a pedestrian surface. Surface-mountable and removable barriers are described for use as vehicle impact barriers. Such barriers may be employed for rapid deployment in a street, causeway or other route.

A method of controlling the water level in ground in which drainage pipes have been laid, said method comprising: a) providing the ground with water passing through the drainage pipes in a natural way and/or by active intervention using a control system, b) creating an underpressure or overpressure of water and/or air in the drainage pipes by means of the control system, thereby causing water or air to be extracted from or supplied to the soil via the drainage pipes, and c) programming the programmable control system in such a manner that the control system determines the points in time, durations, volumes and/or order of the water supply to the drainage pipes and of the generation of an underpressure or overpressure of water and/or air.

A method of controlling the water level in ground in which drainage pipes have been laid, said method comprising: a) providing the ground with water passing through the drainage pipes in a natural way and/or by active intervention using a control system, b) creating an underpressure or overpressure of water and/or air in the drainage pipes by means of the control system, thereby causing water or air to be extracted from or supplied to the soil via the drainage pipes, and c) programming the programmable control system in such a manner that the control system determines the points in time, durations, volumes and/or order of the water supply to the drainage pipes and of the generation of an underpressure or overpressure of water and/or air.