Abstract: Surface retarder coating compositions of the invention are based on the use of at least one non-Ordinary Portland Cement (non-OPC) binder and at least one OPC set retarder agent, which are provided in powder form that can be mixed with water at the construction site. The coating is applied onto the surface of a mould or formwork using roller or spray equipment, and concrete can then be cast within 30-60 minutes against the coating. The OPC set-retarding agent operates to retard setting of the concrete so that it can be de-moulded the next day and its surface can be removed using a high pressure water spray to reveal aggregate embedded beneath the removed surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those used for construction purposes, whereby inclusion of fines is maximized due to minimization of clay washing which tends to remove such fines, and whereby performance of the aggregate-containing construction material is enhanced. Exemplary methods comprise introducing to clay a water-soluble, functionalized polyamine comprising a water-soluble polyamine formed by reacting an amine compound with an epoxy compound, the polyamine thus reacted being functionalized through the use of certain halide, sulfate, or epoxy compounds.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a concrete slab system places bed of a first concrete on a base. The bed has a top surface, a bottom surface, and edge surfaces. The bed is exposed to a drying environment such that the top surface develops shrinkage cracks and portions of the bed separate from the base. A force applied to the top surface induces non-shrinkage cracks in the bed that extend to the bed's bottom surface. Non-concrete material is placed on the bed's top surface and on each of its edge surfaces. The non-concrete material and bed are covered with a second concrete having stretchable fibers mixed therein.

Abstract: Methods for plasticizing cementitious mixtures having relatively high water/cement ratio (at least 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modification of hydratable cement and cementitious materials, such as mortar cement and masonry or ready-mix concrete using ketone alcohol oil waste (“KAOW”) material, obtained as an alkali-soluble liquor waste byproduct at a certain stage in the commercial production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. Preferred applications for KAOW are in chemical admixture formulations whereby KAOW is used to substitute for a portion of a cement dispersant such as sodium lignosulfonate, sodium gluconate, or other conventional dispersant. Another preferred use is in mortar cement and masonry concrete units such as blocks, pavers, curbstones, and other concrete masonry units wherein air void systems advantageously foster freeze-thaw durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast response method and system wherein one or more comb-type polycarboxylate ether (PCE) polymers, having a cumulative absorptivity coefficient in the range of 40%-75%, are employed as fluidizing admixtures dosed into concrete by and in automated slump monitoring and control systems which iteratively monitors and adjusts the slump of the concrete mix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for modifying a hydratable cementitious composition such as concrete or mortar using at least three different, distinct carboxylate polymers, even when clay is present in the concrete or mortar that would otherwise diminish dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate polymer used as dispersant. The three polycarboxylate polymers, designated as Polymer I, Polymer II, and Polymer II, are derived from monomer Components A, B, and C wherein Component A is an unsaturated carboxylic acid, Component B is a polyoxyalkylene, and Component C is an unsaturated carboxylate ester. The component molar ratio ranges for A:B:C are different as between Polymers I and II; while a distinct component molar ratio A:B+C is identified for Polymer III. When treated with these three different polycarboxylate polymers, the hydratable cementitious composition is surprisingly enhanced in terms of initial workability and slump retention, especially if clay is present.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to measure and control the slump of concrete by monitoring sensor within the interior surface of a concrete mixer and a liquid flow meter. Data is analyzed by a computer processing unit to determine the slump of the concrete, liquid needed the quantity of concrete within the mixer, the amount of concrete poured, and the starting and ending time of the pour.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for modifying a hydratable cementitious composition such as concrete or mortar using at least three different, distinct carboxylate polymers, even when clay is present in the concrete or mortar that would otherwise diminish dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate polymer used as dispersant. The three polycarboxylate polymers, designated as Polymer I, Polymer II, and Polymer II, are derived from monomer Components A, B, and C wherein Component A is an unsaturated carboxylic acid, Component B is a polyoxyalkylene, and Component C is an unsaturated carboxylate ester. The component molar ratio ranges for A:B:C are different as between Polymers I and II; while a distinct component molar ratio A:B+C is identified for Polymer III. When treated with these three different polycarboxylate polymers, the hydratable cementitious composition is surprisingly enhanced in terms of initial workability and slump retention, especially if clay is present.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that comprises a carrier sheet (layer A); a waterproofing adhesive (layer B); a protective coating (layer C), wherein the protective coating is substantially free of surfactant and comprises an acrylic or methacrylic polymer or copolymer, an inorganic filler and a white pigment; and a releasable material (layer D), wherein the releasable material comprises amorphous nanoscale silica and a polymeric binder. The waterproofing membrane does not require a release liner, binds strongly to concrete cast against it (even after UV exposure), tolerates foot traffic, and withstands immersion in water over an extended period.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for detecting “sneak” additions of water or other fluid into the mixing drum of a concrete delivery vehicle having an automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring system. Sneak fluid additions are detected based on continuous rheology monitoring, even where valves and flow meters on the delivery vehicle are not used for the fluid addition. The invention is effective for monitoring additions by truck drivers who might add water from an undocumented water source (e.g., hose) along the delivery route or at the site, to hasten pouring, placement, and finishing at the time of delivery. Once sneak fluid addition is detected, the methods and system provide for reporting in the form of alerts, alarms, or other indications that sneak fluid addition has occurred, including monitor graphs or printouts confirming existence and/or extent of sneak fluid added into the vehicle mixing drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement grinding additive compositions and methods which allow a PVC-safe, powerful, and robust defoaming agent to be uniformly dispersed throughout a broad concentration range while retaining storage stability even in cases wherein the defoaming agent is highly diluted. Exemplary cement grinding additive compositions comprise at least one amine cement grinding additive; an air detrainer selected from the group consisting of (i) ethoxylated, propoxylated fatty alcohol or alkylphenol, (ii) polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine, or (iii) a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that comprises a carrier sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on one surface of the carrier sheet, and a protective coating layer on the adhesive layer. The protective coating layer comprises a highly reflective protective coating layer operative to bond to concrete cast against it, particularly one that is produced from an aqueous coating comprising an acrylic emulsion, a filler, and a white pigment. The pigment volume concentration of the filler plus white pigment is greater than or equal to 40% by volume. The protective coating layer protects the membrane against weather exposure, tolerates foot traffic and strongly adheres to concrete cast against it. The protective coating comprises an acrylic polymer with a unique multi-domain morphology (i.e., at least two distinct polymer domains).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing grinding efficiency of cement, cement clinker, raw materials for cement, and other inorganic particles. Use of biomass-derived polyols such as diols, triols, or mixtures thereof, optionally with a conventional grinding aid, cement quality improver, and/or hexavalent chromium reducer, are believed to provide less risk of sludging when compared to glycerides obtained from fossil fuel sources.