Methods and compositions for the installation of scientifically engineered and constructed unpaved runways are disclosed herein. The compositions are heterogeneous mixtures produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with binders that chemically react with gravel, aggregate, and soil particles to create permanent bonds, resulting in a strengthened and stabilized surface. When blended into the aggregate of a runway surface, the organic compounds act as a carrier fluid, distributing the binder system evenly so particles of all sizes are thoroughly and uniformly coated with the composition. Once the composition is distributed, an adhesion promoting compound reacts with constituents in the aggregate to increase the formation and strength of chemical bonds between particles.

An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, Foots oil and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes pre-coating the soil with Foots oil and then spraying an emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, Foots oil and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes pre-coating the soil with Foots oil and then spraying an emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Methods and compositions for the installation of scientifically engineered and constructed unpaved runways are disclosed herein. The compositions are heterogeneous mixtures produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with binders that chemically react with gravel, aggregate, and soil particles to create permanent bonds, resulting in a strengthened and stabilized surface. When blended into the aggregate of a runway surface, the organic compounds act as a carrier fluid, distributing the binder system evenly so particles of all sizes are thoroughly and uniformly coated with the composition. Once the composition is distributed, an adhesion promoting compound reacts with constituents in the aggregate to increase the formation and strength of chemical bonds between particles.

An erosion resistant composition includes a granular material and a wax including oil in which a weight percent of the oil in the wax is between 0.01-15%. The granular material includes a sand and has a first resistance to flow prior to being coated with the wax. The wax at least partially coats a portion of the granular material to form the erosion resistant composition which has a second resistance to flow after coating that is greater than the first resistance to flow prior to coating. The erosion resistant composition may be used, for example, in golf course bunkers or other landscaping applications. Related methods of making the erosion resistant composition are also described in which the granular material is dried, the wax is heated, and the granular material is blended with the melted wax.

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 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 paving block with improved illumination (luminescent paving block) preferably includes a concrete base layer and a photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer is formed on top of the concrete base layer. The concrete base layer is preferably created by combining sand, aggregate, water, pigment and cement to form an uncured concrete mixture. The photoluminescent layer preferably includes very fine aggreagate, cement, water, pigment, sand and a polyester resin infused with a photoluminescent pigment or a silica-based glass material infused with photoluminescent pigment. Further, a light transmitting sealant may be placed over the photoluminescent material.

A poured-in-place protective surface, such as can be installed at a playground, includes an impact-attenuation or cushion layer, which comprises a blend of (a) a rubber chunk component made up of granules of reclaimed rubber, the reclaimed rubber being from non-tire sources; (b) a tire buffings component; and (c) a binder. The ratio of rubber chunk component to tire buffings component is selected to be between 1.25:1 and 10:1, and more particularly between 1.25:1 and 5:1.

An erosion resistant composition includes a granular material and a wax including oil in which a weight percent of the oil in the wax is between 0.01-15%. The granular material includes a sand and has a first resistance to flow prior to being coated with the wax. The wax at least partially coats a portion of the granular material to form the erosion resistant composition which has a second resistance to flow after coating that is greater than the first resistance to flow prior to coating. The erosion resistant composition may be used, for example, in golf course bunkers or other landscaping applications. Related methods of making the erosion resistant composition are also described in which the granular material is dried, the wax is heated, and the granular material is blended with the melted wax.