Permeable construction unit

Abstract

A permeable construction unit is provided. The permeable construction unit comprises an outer layer, and a permeable core layer comprising a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of liquid through the permeable core layer. The outer layer may comprise one or more openings configured to enable the liquid to pass through the outer layer to the permeable core layer at the one or more openings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A permeable construction unit, comprising:
 an outer layer; and   a permeable core layer comprising a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of liquid through the permeable core layer,   wherein the outer layer comprises one or more openings configured to enable the liquid to pass through the outer layer to the permeable core layer at the one or more openings.   
     
     
         2 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises one or more of the following:
 stone; porcelain; concrete; glass fiber reinforced concrete; polymer modified agglomerate; cementitious agglomerate; stucco; plaster; epoxy; plastic; wood; synthetic wood; resin; ceramic; synthetic turf; natural turf; one or more plant materials; one or more pebbles; glass; and metal.   
     
     
         3 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable core layer comprises one or more of the following:
 a strut and rail design; and   a truss and purlin design.   
     
     
         4 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable core layer comprises one or more cavities. 
     
     
         5 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable core layer comprises one or more aggregate materials. 
     
     
         6 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more aggregate materials comprises foamed glass aggregate. 
     
     
         7 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 5 , wherein the permeable core layer further comprises one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable core layer. 
     
     
         8 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more binding materials comprise one or more of the following: epoxy; foamed epoxy; polyurethane; cement; polymer; silicone; acrylic; and urethane. 
     
     
         9 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is configured to direct a flow of the liquid through the permeable core layer. 
     
     
         10 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 9 , wherein the flow of the liquid is directed laterally through the permeable core layer. 
     
     
         11 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         12 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable core layer has a maximum compressive strength of approximately 50 psi to 400 psi. 
     
     
         13 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the outer layer and the permeable core layer comprises an interlocking edge configured to lockingly mate with a complimentary interlocking edge of a subsequent permeable construction unit. 
     
     
         14 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more mechanical fasteners configured to join two or more permeable construction units. 
     
     
         15 . The permeable construction unit of  claim 1 , further comprising an epoxy mesh layer coupled to the permeable core layer. 
     
     
         16 . A permeable foundation drainage system, comprising:
 a waterproofing layer configured to:
 be coupled to a foundation wall; and 
 aid in preventing liquid from contacting the foundation wall; and 
   a permeable layer, coupled to the waterproofing layer, comprising a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of the liquid laterally through the permeable layer and away from the foundation wall.   
     
     
         17 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 16 , wherein the permeable layer comprises one or more of the following:
 one or more aggregate materials;   one or more closed cell foamed glass panels; and   one or more closed cell expanded polystyrene foam panels.   
     
     
         18 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more aggregate materials comprises foamed glass aggregate. 
     
     
         19 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 16 , wherein the permeable layer further comprises one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable layer. 
     
     
         20 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 16 , wherein the waterproofing layer comprises one or more of the following:
 stone; porcelain; concrete; glass fiber reinforced concrete; polymer modified agglomerate; cementitious agglomerate; stucco; plaster; epoxy; plastic; wood; synthetic wood; resin; ceramic; synthetic turf; natural turf; one or more plant materials; one or more pebbles; glass; and metal.   
     
     
         21 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 16 , further comprising an epoxy mesh layer, coupled to the permeable layer, configured to enable an outer layer to be applied to the mesh layer. 
     
     
         22 . The permeable foundation drainage system of  claim 21 , further comprising the outer layer.