阅读说明：本技术 包括联接至基体或集成在基体中的成组金属长丝组件的用于加固路面的结构 (Structure for reinforcing a road surface comprising an assembly of grouped metal filaments coupled to or integrated in a matrix ) 是由 H·科纳鲁斯 A·兰布雷希特斯 F·弗韦克 于 2014-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于加固路面的结构(100)。结构包括至少第一组的成组金属长丝组件(112)。所述第一组的这些成组金属长丝组件(112)在第一方向上被定向处于相互平行或相互基本平行的位置。该第一组的成组金属长丝组件被联接至包括非金属材料的基体(10)或被集成在这样的基体中。本发明进一步涉及制造这样的结构的方法和利用这样的结构加固的路面。此外,本发明涉及安装这样的结构的方法。(The invention relates to a structure (100) for reinforcing a road surface. The structure includes at least a first set of grouped metal filament assemblies (112). The assemblies (112) of grouped metal filaments of the first group are oriented in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position. The first set of grouped metal filament assemblies is coupled to or integrated in a substrate (10) comprising a non-metallic material. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a structure and to a pavement reinforced with such a structure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of mounting such a structure.)

1. Pavement comprising a structure for reinforcing a pavement, the structure having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the structure comprising a first group of assemblies of grouped metal filaments oriented in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position, the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group being coupled to or integrated in a matrix comprising a non-metallic material by at least one textile yarn forming a stitch.

2. The pavement of claim 1, wherein the matrix is composed of a non-metallic material.

3. The pavement surface of claim 1 wherein the metal filaments comprise steel filaments.

4. The pavement surface of claim 1 wherein the assemblies of grouped metal filaments comprise parallel filaments.

5. The pavement surface of claim 1 wherein the assemblies of grouped metal filaments comprise filaments twisted together.

6. The pavement surface of claim 1, wherein the included angle between the first direction and the longitudinal direction is in a range between-80 ° and +80 °.

7. The pavement surface of claim 1, wherein the first direction is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the structure.

8. The pavement surface of claim 1, wherein the assembly of grouped metal filaments is coupled to the base by at least one textile yarn that can be bent to a radius of curvature that is less than 5 times an equivalent diameter of the textile yarn.

9. The pavement surface of claim 1, wherein the structure includes a second set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments oriented in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.

10. The pavement of claim 1 including an overlay over the structure, the overlay having a thickness of less than 8 cm.

11. The pavement of claim 1, the overlay including an adhesive layer positioned beneath the structure.

12. A method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

-providing at least a first set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments,

-providing a non-metallic matrix;

-coupling the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group to the substrate in such a way that the assemblies of grouped metal filaments are oriented in a first direction by stitches formed by at least one textile yarn in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position.

13. A method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

-providing at least a first set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments,

-integrating the assembly of grouped metal filaments in a matrix comprising a non-metallic material.

14. A reinforced pavement comprising:

-a road surface;

-a structure for reinforcing a road surface as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11;

-an overlay applied over said structure for reinforcing pavements.

15. The reinforced pavement of claim 14, further comprising an interlayer between the pavement and the structure for reinforcing pavement and/or between the structure for reinforcing pavement and the overlay.

16. A method of installing a structure for reinforcing a roadway, the method comprising the steps of:

-positioning a structure for reinforcing a pavement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 on a pavement surface;

-applying a cover over said structure for reinforcing pavements.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a structure for reinforcing a road surface.

The invention also relates to a reinforced pavement.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for delaying the onset of reflection cracks from damaged and cracked pavement structures.

Background

It is well known in the art to repair roadways by applying a finish, such as an asphalt finish, to the surface of the roadway. Serious drawbacks of this approach include reflective cracking. Reflective cracking is the process by which existing cracks propagate towards the surface, either intermittently or in combination, through the asphalt overcoat.

Once the reflective cracks reach the surface, open paths are created that allow water to penetrate into the lower layers of the pavement. If not treated, this situation will lead to further deterioration of the road surface structure and to a reduction in the overall reliability of use.

The use of interlayers, such as steel mesh, geogrids, non-woven structures, and stress relief films, also known as stress absorbing interlayers or SAMI, has gained wide acceptance. Different types of products have been used to reinforce asphalt or to provide a relatively impermeable layer therein, thereby improving the long-term performance of the pavement.

While steel meshes such as hexagonal woven meshes have proven successful in reducing cracks in the mat, steel meshes have the drawback of being difficult to install due to the rigid nature of such steel meshes.

An additional drawback to the use of steel mesh is that a thick overcoat of, for example, 8cm or more is required to be effective.

Geogrids are typically made of polymeric materials (e.g., polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene), glass (e.g., glass roving), or carbon (e.g., carbon filaments). Polymeric materials and glass materials have limited strength. In addition, the polymeric material may lose its integrity due to the high temperature (160 ℃) of the asphalt during installation. Glass may be damaged during its installation due to its brittle nature and requires additional protection.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure for reinforcing road surfaces which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for reinforcing a road surface which is easy to install.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a structure for reinforcing a pavement comprising an assembly of grouped metal filaments which can be easily rolled and unrolled and which, when unrolled, is in and remains in a flat position, thereby making unnecessary additional precautions or steps for obtaining a flat position of the structure.

It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a structure for reinforcing a road surface comprising assemblies of grouped metal filaments, wherein the assemblies are held in a mutually parallel position or in a mutually substantially parallel position, and wherein the assemblies are fixed in this mutually parallel position or in a substantially parallel position, for example during manufacture, transport, installation and use of the structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a structure for reinforcing a road surface that extends the service life of the road surface.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of delaying reflective cracking in damaged and cracked pavement structures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a structure for reinforcing a roadway is provided. The structure includes a first set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments. The assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group are oriented in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position. The first set of grouped metal filament assemblies is coupled to or integrated in a substrate comprising a non-metallic material.

Non-metallic materials include, for example, glass, carbon, or polymeric materials. Preferred polymeric materials include polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, polyethersulfone, or any combination thereof.

Preferred embodiments include structures having assemblies of grouped metal filaments coupled to a substrate comprising, e.g., constructed of, a non-metallic material.

Other preferred embodiments include structures having assemblies of grouped metal filaments integrated in a matrix comprising, e.g., constructed of, a non-metallic material.

The structure has a length L and a width W, where L is greater than W.

The structure has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

By "mutually parallel position" or "mutually substantially parallel position" is meant that the main axes of the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group are parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

By "substantially parallel" is meant that there may be some deviation from a parallel position. However, if there is a deviation, the deviation from the parallel position is either small or accidental. By small deviation is meant a deviation of less than 5 degrees and preferably less than 3 degrees or even less than 1.5 degrees.

By coupling the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group to the matrix or by integrating the assemblies of grouped metal filaments in the matrix, the assemblies are kept in their mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position, and also during the manufacture, transport, installation of the structure for reinforcing road surfaces and during use of the structure once it is installed.

The term "coupled to" should be understood in a broad sense and includes all possible ways in which the grouped filament assembly is coupled to the substrate. For the purposes of the present invention, coupling includes connecting, joining, adhering, gluing, adhering, laminating … …, and the like.

The grouped filament assemblies may be joined, bonded, glued, adhered, laminated to the substrate by any technique known in the art. Preferred techniques include sewing, knitting, embroidering, gluing, welding and welding.

As a substrate, any substrate comprising a non-metallic material that allows the grouped filament assembly to be coupled thereto may be considered.

Suitable substrates include woven, non-woven, films, tapes, foils, nets, grids or foams comprising or consisting of non-metallic materials.

As non-woven substrates, needle-bonded, hydro-bonded, spun-bonded, air-laid, wet-laid or extruded substrates can be considered.

Preferred foils or grids are those obtained by extrusion, for example comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyester or polyurethane.

The substrate may comprise an open structure or alternatively a closed structure. A matrix with an open structure has the advantage of being permeable and ensuring a better anchoring.

In a preferred embodiment the assembly of grouped metal filaments is coupled to the substrate by gluing the assembly of grouped metal filaments to the substrate, for example to a grid of a non-metallic material such as a polymeric material. By gluing the assemblies of grouped metal filaments to the substrate, the assemblies of grouped metal filaments are held and fixed in their mutually parallel or substantially parallel position and are ensured in this position during manufacture, storage, transport, installation and use of the structure as a reinforcement of a pavement.

In other preferred embodiments, the assembly of grouped metal filaments is coupled to the substrate by at least one yarn. The at least one yarn holds the assemblies of grouped metal filaments in their mutually parallel or substantially parallel position and ensures that the assemblies of grouped metal filaments are fixed in their mutually parallel or substantially parallel position, and also during manufacture, storage, transport, installation and use of the structure as reinforcement for road surfaces.

Yarn

The yarns preferably comprise textile yarns.

For the purposes of the present invention, by "yarn" is meant any fiber, filament, multifilament yarn having a long length suitable for use in the production of textiles.

Yarns include, for example, spun yarns, untwisted yarns, monofilaments (monofilaments) with or without twist, multifilament yarns, narrow bands of material with or without twist, intended for use in textile construction.

At least one yarn may comprise a natural material, a synthetic material or a metal or metal alloy.

Natural materials include, for example, cotton.

Preferred synthetic materials include polyamides, polyethersulfones, polyvinyl alcohols and polypropylenes. Also yarns made of glass fibres or rovings are conceivable.

Preferred metals or metal alloys include steels such as low carbon steel, high carbon steel, or stainless steel.

Preferably, the yarns used in the construction for reinforcing road surfaces should be suitable for use in textile operations such as sewing, stitching, knitting, embroidering and weaving.

To be suitable for textile operations and more particularly in sewing, knitting or embroidery operations, the yarns are preferably bendable.

Preferably, at least one yarn may be bent to a radius of curvature less than 5 times the equivalent diameter of the yarn. More preferably, at least one yarn may be bent to a radius of curvature lower than 4 times the diameter of the yarn, lower than 2 times the diameter of the yarn or even lower than the diameter of the yarn.

The yarn used should furthermore be suitable for holding and fixing the assemblies of grouped metal filaments in their mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position.

It is obvious that the yarns used should allow to maintain the flexibility of the structure so that it can be easily rolled up and unrolled.

Preferably, the yarns used in the construction for reinforcing road surfaces are suitable for use in textile operations such as sewing, stitching, knitting, embroidering and weaving.

The yarn is furthermore preferably adapted to hold and fix the assemblies of grouped metal filaments in their mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position.

It is evident that the yarn preferably allows to maintain the flexibility of the structure, so that the structure can be easily rolled up and unrolled.

The structure for reinforcing road surfaces according to the present invention may comprise one yarn or a plurality of yarns. The number of yarns ranges for example between 1 and 100; for example in the range between 1 and 50, for example 10.

At least one of the yarns preferably forms a stitch to connect the assembly of grouped metal filaments to the substrate. The stitches are preferably formed around the assembly of grouped metal filaments.

The suture is preferably formed by at least one operation selected from stitching, knitting or embroidery.

Also, the term "integrated in" should be understood in a broad sense and include all possible ways in which the grouped filament assemblies are integrated in the matrix. For the purposes of the present invention, integrating the component in the matrix comprises embedding the component in a matrix material, such as a polymer matrix material. The components are for example embedded in a polymer tape.

Integrating the component in the substrate also includes integrating the component during the manufacture of the substrate, for example integrating the component in a woven structure during the manufacture of the woven or knitted structure. The components are integrated, for example, in the warp direction of the woven structure, while the weft direction comprises a non-metallic material. In another example the components are integrated in the longitudinal direction of the knitted structure.

Similarly, the components may be integrated in the non-woven structure during manufacture of the non-woven structure.

Grouped filament assembly

For the purposes of the present invention, by "grouped metal filament assembly" is meant any unit or group of a plurality of metal filaments assembled or gathered in some manner to form said unit or group.

The metal filaments of the grouped metal filament assemblies may be assembled or gathered by any technique known in the art, such as by twisting, cabling, bunching, gluing, welding, wrapping … ….

Examples of assemblies of grouped metal filaments include bundles of parallel or substantially parallel metal filaments, for example metal filaments such as strands, cords or ropes twisted together by cabling or bunching.

The first group of preferred assemblies of grouped metal filaments comprises cords, for example single or multi-strand cords.

Structures for reinforcing road surfaces comprising cords as assemblies of grouped metal filaments have the advantage that they can be easily rolled up or unrolled. Furthermore, the structure for reinforcing a pavement comprising cords is in a flat position when laid out and remains in this flat position without the need for additional precautions or steps to obtain or maintain this flat position.

The preferred grouped metal filament assemblies of the second group comprise bundles of parallel filaments. A structure for reinforcing a pavement comprising bundles of parallel filaments as components has the following advantages: they can be easily rolled and unrolled, and when unrolled such structures are in and remain in a flat position without the need for additional precautions or steps to obtain or maintain the flat position.

Being subsequently bent and allowing the structure to be in and remain in a flat position when laid out, an assembly comprising filaments in parallel positions may have the advantage of having a limited thickness since all filaments may be positioned next to each other.

The number of filaments in the grouped filament assembly is preferably in the range between 2 and 100, such as between 2 and 81, between 2 and 20, such as 6, 7, 10 or 12.

Metal filament

As metal filaments, any type of elongated metal filaments can be considered. Any metal may be used to provide the metal filaments.

Preferably, the metal filaments comprise steel filaments. The steel may comprise, for example, a high carbon steel alloy, a low carbon steel alloy, or a stainless steel alloy. The metal filaments preferably have a tensile strength higher than 1000MPa, for example higher than 1500MPa or higher than 2000 MPa.

The metal filaments have a diameter preferably in the range between 0.04mm and 8 mm. More preferably, the diameter of the filaments is in the range between 0.3mm and 5mm, such as 0.33mm or 0.37 mm.

All metal filaments of the assembly of grouped metal filaments may have the same diameter. Alternatively, the grouped filament assembly may include filaments having different diameters.

The grouped filament assembly may include one type of filament. All filaments of the filament assembly have, for example, the same diameter and the same composition. Alternatively, the grouped filament assembly may include different types of filaments, such as filaments having different diameters and/or different compositions. The grouped filament assembly may, for example, comprise non-metallic filaments next to metallic filaments. Examples of non-metallic filaments include carbon or carbon-based yarn filaments, polymer filaments or polymer yarns, such as filaments or yarns made of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester. Glass yarns or rovings of glass filaments are also conceivable.

The filaments preferably have a circular or substantially circular cross-section, but filaments having other cross-sections are also contemplated, such as flat filaments or filaments having a square or substantially square cross-section or filaments having a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section.

The filaments may be uncoated or may be coated with a suitable coating, for example a coating that gives corrosion protection.

Suitable coatings include metallic or polymeric coatings such as zinc or zinc alloy coatings. Examples of metal or metal alloy coatings include zinc or zinc alloy coatings, such as a zinc brass coating, a zinc aluminum coating, or a zinc aluminum magnesium coating. Further suitable zinc alloy coatings are alloys comprising 2 to 10% Al and 0.1 to 0.4% of rare earth elements such as La and/or Ce.

Examples of polymeric coatings include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or epoxy.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a coating such as one that imparts corrosion protection may be applied over the filaments. However, the coating may also be applied to the grouped filament assembly.

Number of components

A set of grouped filament assemblies, such as the first set of grouped filament assemblies, includes at least two grouped filament assemblies. There is in principle no limit to the number of grouped filament assemblies. The number of components ranges for example between 2 and 500, for example between 4 and 300, for example 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300 or 400.

Preferably, the number of grouped filament assemblies of a group is defined in terms of length units of the width of the structure. The number of components in a group of components ranges between 2 and 500 per meter width, for example. The number of modules is for example 10, 20, 50 or 100 per meter width.

Preferably, different assemblies of a set of assemblies are spaced apart. The distance between adjacent modules may vary within wide limits, for example above 1mm and below 80 cm. The distance between adjacent modules is for example in the range between 1mm and 10cm, such as 5mm, 1cm, 2cm, 3cm, 5cm, 7cm or 8 cm.

Preferably, there is a minimum distance between adjacent groups of filament assemblies.

The distance between adjacent modules may be equal over the width of the structure used to reinforce the roadway.

Alternatively, it may be preferred that the distance between adjacent components is lower in some regions of the structure (e.g., in regions where stress is high).

The structure for reinforcing pavements according to the present invention may comprise one type of assembly of grouped metal filaments. All assemblies of grouped metal filaments have for example the same number of metal filaments, the same construction and comprise the same material.

Alternatively, the structure for reinforcing the pavement comprises a plurality of grouped metal filament assemblies of different types, for example with different numbers of filaments, with different cord constructions or made of different materials.

As mentioned above, the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group are positioned in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position. Preferably, the first direction is different from the lateral direction of the structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle (included angle) between the first direction and the longitudinal direction is in the range between-80 degrees and +80 degrees. More preferably, the angle (included angle) between the first direction and the longitudinal direction is in the range between-60 degrees and +60 degrees, in the range between-45 degrees and +45 degrees.

For the purposes of the present invention, the smallest of the two angles defined by the longitudinal direction and the direction under consideration (for example the first direction) is referred to as the "included angle".

In other preferred embodiments, the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the structure. In this case, the angle (included angle) between the first direction and the longitudinal direction is zero or almost zero.

The structure for reinforcing a pavement surface may include a second set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments. The grouped filament assemblies of the second group are preferably positioned parallel or substantially parallel to each other in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is also different from the lateral direction of the structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle (included angle) between the second direction and the longitudinal direction is in the range between-80 degrees and +80 degrees. More preferably the angle (included angle) between the second direction and the longitudinal direction is in the range between-60 degrees and +60 degrees, in the range between-45 degrees and +45 degrees.

Possibly, the structure for reinforcing the pavement may comprise further sets of substantially parallel grouped metal filament assemblies, for example a third set of assemblies and possibly a fourth set of assemblies. The grouped filament assemblies of the third group are oriented in a third direction; the fourth set of grouped filament assemblies is oriented in a fourth direction. The third and fourth directions are different from the first and second directions.

Due to the high flexibility of the structure for reinforcing road surfaces, the structure can be easily rolled up and unrolled.

Furthermore, when rolled out, the structure is in a flat position and remains in a flat position without the need for additional precautions or steps to obtain a flat position. This simplifies the installation of the structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement is provided. In a first method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a roadway surface, an assembly of grouped metal filaments is coupled to a matrix comprising a non-metallic material. In a second method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement, assemblies of grouped metal filaments are integrated in a matrix comprising a non-metallic material. Both methods will be described in more detail below.

A first method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement according to the present invention comprises the steps of:

-providing at least a first set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments,

-providing a substrate comprising a non-metallic material;

-coupling the assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group to the base body such that the assemblies of grouped metal filaments are oriented in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position.

The attachment of the grouped metal filament assemblies to the non-metallic substrate may be achieved by any technique known in the art. The preferred technique to obtain the coupling of the grouped metal filament assemblies to the non-metallic substrate is by sewing, knitting, embroidering, gluing, welding or fusing.

In a preferred method, the assembly of grouped metal filaments is coupled to the substrate by at least one yarn. The yarns preferably form stitches to couple the assembly of grouped metal filaments to the substrate. The stitches are formed, for example, by sewing, knitting or embroidery.

If desired, the set of metal filament assemblies may be arranged in a structure such as a welded, braided, knitted or patched structure and the structure may be coupled to the base, for example by sewing, knitting, embroidering, gluing, welding or welding.

A second method of manufacturing a structure for reinforcing a pavement according to the present invention comprises the steps of:

-providing at least a first set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments,

-integrating the assemblies of grouped metal filaments in a matrix comprising a non-metallic material such that the assemblies of grouped metal filaments are oriented in a first direction in a mutually parallel or mutually substantially parallel position.

The assembly of grouped metal filaments may be integrated in the polymeric belt, for example during extrusion of the polymeric material. In another method, the assembly of grouped metal filaments is integrated in the woven substrate, for example during weaving of the woven substrate. The woven substrate comprises a non-metallic material adjacent to the assembly of grouped metal filaments. The assembly of grouped metal filaments is for example in the warp direction of the woven substrate, while the weft direction comprises other elements such as metal elements.

In another method, the assembly of grouped metal filaments is integrated in the non-woven matrix during the manufacture of the non-woven matrix, for example in a spunlaid or wetlaid matrix.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a reinforced pavement is provided. The reinforced pavement structure includes:

pavements, such as pavements with damaged and cracked pavement surfaces;

-a structure for reinforcing pavements according to the invention;

-an overlay applied over said structure for reinforcing pavements.

The road surface includes, for example, concrete or asphalt road surface.

The overlay comprises, for example, an asphalt overlay.

An advantage of using the structure according to the invention is that a thick overlay, e.g. 8cm or more, is not required, unlike in the case of conventional steel nets, such as hexagonal woven nets. For the structure for reinforcing pavements according to the invention, the thickness of the overlay may be limited to less than 8cm, for example less than 6cm or less than 5 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the reinforced pavement further comprises an interlayer between said pavement and said structure for reinforcing pavement and/or between said structure for reinforcing pavement and said overlay. The interlayer comprises, for example, an adhesive or tacky layer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of installing a structure for reinforcing a roadway is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

-positioning the structure for reinforcing pavements according to the invention on a pavement surface, for example on a damaged and cracked pavement surface;

-applying a cover over said structure for reinforcing pavements.

The overlay comprises, for example, an asphalt overlay.

By this method, the structure for reinforcing the pavement is interposed between the pavement surface (e.g., the old cracked pavement surface) and the newly applied overlay.

The method may further comprise the step of applying an interlayer, such as an adhesive or tacky layer, before and/or after the step of positioning the structure for reinforcing the pavement.

It may be preferred that the pavement surface is pretreated prior to positioning the structure for reinforcing the pavement on the pavement surface. Possible pre-treatments include texturizing or grinding.

Due to the high flexibility of the structure used for reinforcing the road surface, the structure can be easily rolled up and unrolled. This makes it easy to use at the construction site.

By installing the structure for reinforcing road surfaces according to the invention, reflection cracks from damaged and cracked road surfaces to the newly applied overlay can be avoided or at least delayed.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a structure for reinforcing a road surface comprising an assembly of grouped metal filaments glued to a matrix;

figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a structure for reinforcing a pavement comprising an assembly of grouped metal filaments joined to a matrix by stitches;

figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a structure for reinforcing a pavement comprising a first and a second set of assemblies of grouped metal filaments;

figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a structure for reinforcing road surfaces comprising a knitted structure;

figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a structure for reinforcing a road surface comprising a woven structure.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions in practice of the invention.

For the purposes of the present invention, "pavement" means any paved surface.

The road surface is preferably intended to support traffic such as vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Examples of road surfaces include roads, sidewalks, parking lots, airport runways, airport taxiways … ….

By "equivalent diameter of a yarn or filament" is meant the diameter of an ideal yarn or filament having a circular radial cross-section with a surface equal to the surface area of the particular yarn or filament.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a structure 100 for reinforcing a pavement according to the present invention. The structure 100 includes a first set of grouped metal filament assemblies 112. The grouped filament assembly 112 may include steel cords. Preferred steel cords comprise between 2 and 12 filaments, for example a cord (0.37+6 x 0.33) having one core filament with a diameter of 0.37mm and 6 filaments with a diameter of 0.33mm surrounding the core filament.

In an alternative embodiment, the grouped filament assembly 112 includes bundles of parallel or substantially parallel filaments, for example, 12 bundles of parallel or substantially parallel filaments.

The grouped metal filament assemblies 112 of the first group are all oriented parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The orientation of these assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group corresponds to the longitudinal direction 105 of the structure 100. This means that the angle between the orientation of the components of the first group (first direction) and the longitudinal direction is about 0 degrees.

The assembly of grouped metal filaments 112 is glued to the substrate 110.

The substrate 110 may, for example, comprise a polymeric material, glass, carbon, or any combination thereof. The substrate 110 is, for example, a grid or a foil obtained by extrusion molding. Alternatively, the substrate 110 comprises a woven or non-woven structure, such as a woven or non-woven polymer structure. Examples of non-woven structures include a needle punched or spun bonded non-woven matrix, for example in polyamide, polyethersulfone or polypropylene.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly of grouped metal filaments comprises a steel cord with twisted filaments. Steel cords are glued to a polymer matrix, e.g. a non-woven polyethersulfone matrix or to an extruded polypropylene grid (35 g/m with a 6 x 6mm mesh)²)。

In another preferred embodiment the assembly of grouped metal filaments is a steel cord glued to a matrix made of glass fibers or glass rovings or to a matrix comprising carbon filaments.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of a second embodiment of a structure 200 for reinforcing a pavement according to the present invention. The structure 200 includes a first set of grouped metal filament assemblies 212. The grouped filament assembly 212 may comprise steel cords. The assembly of grouped metal filaments comprises for example a steel cord (3 x 0.48mm) comprising 3 filaments with a diameter of 0.48mm twisted together.

In an alternative embodiment, the grouped metal filament assembly 212 includes parallel or substantially parallel filaments, such as bundles of 12 parallel or substantially parallel filaments.

The first set of grouped metal filament assemblies 212 are all oriented parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The orientation of these assemblies of grouped metal filaments of the first group corresponds to the longitudinal direction 205 of the structure 200. This means that the angle between the orientation of the components of the first group (first direction) and the longitudinal direction is about 0 degrees.

The assembly of grouped metal filaments 212 is coupled to the substrate 210 by means of stitches 212. The stitches are formed from yarn. The yarns include, for example, multifilament yarns, preferably polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyvinyl alcohol, or polypropylene yarns.

The substrate 210 comprises, for example, a woven or non-woven structure, such as a woven or non-woven polymer structure.

Examples of non-woven structures include a needle punched or spun bonded non-woven matrix, for example in polyamide, polyethersulfone or polypropylene.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly of grouped metal filaments comprises a steel cord with twisted steel filaments. The steel cords are stitched to a polymer matrix, such as a non-woven polyethersulfone matrix, by means of polyethersulfone yarns.

FIG. 3 is a further illustration of a structure 300 for reinforcing a roadway surface, the structure 300 including a first set of grouped filament assemblies 312 and a second set of grouped filament assemblies 314, the first set of assemblies 312 including steel cords oriented substantially parallel to each other in a first direction, the second set of assemblies 314 including steel cords oriented substantially parallel to each other in a second direction, the first direction being different from the second direction, the angle between the first direction and the longitudinal direction 305 of the structure 300 being 45 degrees, the angle between the second direction and the longitudinal direction 305 of the structure 300 being 45 degrees, the angle between the first direction and the second direction being indicated at α, the angle α being 90 degrees.

The first set of components 312 and the second set of components 314 are stitched to the substrate 310 along threads 316 by at least one yarn. Substrate 310 comprises, for example, a woven or non-woven structure.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a structure 400 for reinforcing a road surface. Structure 400 is a knitted structure. Knitted structure 400 includes a plurality of assemblies of grouped metal filaments 402 in parallel or substantially parallel position to each other. In the knitted construction 400 shown in fig. 4, the assembly of grouped metal filaments is processed into loops of the stitch 420 at the stitch line 440. The stitches 420 are formed of yarns, such as mono-or multi-filament yarns, preferably polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene yarns, or metal yarns such as steel yarns.

The textile suture shown in this example is in a warp knit configuration.

The preferred grouped metal filament assembly 402 comprises steel cords.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a structure 500 for reinforcing a roadway. The structure 500 comprises a woven structure having a plurality of assemblies of grouped metal filaments 504 in a warp direction 502. The warp direction 502 may further comprise yarns (binding warp filaments) 505, for example, between two assemblies of grouped metal filaments 502.

Weft direction 506 includes yarns such as polyamide monofilaments (70tex) 508. The structure 500 has a plain weave pattern.