Toughening roads: Fid-Bau Portal

Toughening roads

Lückenhaus Technische Textilien GmbH & Co has invented a grid structure for reinforcing roads. In US Patent 6440529, the company says its system comprises a series of intersecting strands comprising filaments. These are laid flat beside on another and the structure is such that it has openings that enable any overlay covering to penetrate and bond with the structure. The grid will be made using glass or polyester fibre yarns. The material has strands of warp thread and weft strands, both set being arranged parallel to each other. To create a fabric with adequate strength the grid is made with individual yarns such that intersections are effectively interwoven to create a stable structure, these encircling threads alternate in the weave and from intersection to intersection passing first over and then under the strands of warp yarns. This creates a structure that already is pre-strengthened. Every two adjacent strands of warp ends and weft ends enclose between them a grid opening. It is important that the grid openings be filled with a number of longitudinal laminar belts of a thin fabric and remain partially permeable. It is stressed that there are open passages through which the asphalt coating can flow and so bond the reinforcement within the road or pavement.