Abstract: Provided is a pre-applied waterproofing membrane having a waterproofing adhesive layer and an outer particle layer comprising synthetic polymer granules to protect the adhesive layer and to facilitate detailing at membrane-to-membrane overlaps. In preferred embodiments, the synthetic polymer granules are made from polymers selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, and styrene butadiene copolymers or polymers. Most preferably, the synthetic polymer granules have round or spherical shapes that help to facilitate detailing at the building or installation site, such as sealing at membrane overlaps, and sealing around pipes or other details. Alternatively, the membranes may be made having side edges which are free of synthetic polymer granules, whereby a removable release liner strip can be used to prevent adhesive from sticking to the back of the membrane when the membrane is rolled up on itself for shipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are surface retarder composition and method for etching cementitious materials which achieve a desirable light “acid etch” look without using muriatic (hydrochloric) acid or sand blasting, removing the human health and environmental concerns. Formulations in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein are easier to remove from formwork or molds after demolding than conventional retarder paints. Surface retarders prevent the hydration of cement particles, which allows the uncured layer of paste next to the form to be removed such as by washing with water or other fluids, or by brushing, revealing aggregates. Also disclosed are molded cement and concrete materials or articles exhibiting such light etch.

Abstract: An integrated air barrier assembly is provided as an integral product in which a fastener-sealing layer is secured between opposed surfaces of a board and an anti-blocking facing layer. The assembly exhibits good fastener sealability, including for larger self-drilling screws. The anti-blocking facing layer maintains the fastener-sealing layer inward of the environment and prevents blocking or sticking of the assembly when stacked. In some embodiments, the anti-blocking facing layer can be a metal film or foil, which can reflect heat away from the fastener-sealing layer, thereby maintaining a lower temperature on the fastener-sealing layer. In some embodiments, the board can be an insulating layer or wood layer. The assembly can be readily installed in a single step during construction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measurement and monitoring of physical properties of materials, such as liquids, and more particularly to acoustic instruments, methods, and systems that automatically measure air content in real-time within liquids, including concrete, mortar, or other hydratable cementitious mix suspensions using resonant electroacoustic transducers that have their radiating surfaces in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a waterproofing membrane which does not require a removable release sheet but which nevertheless bonds to post-cast concrete and facilitates water-tight sealing at membrane-to-membrane overlaps. The waterproofing membrane comprises a carrier and pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layers, an inorganic particle layer having particulate bodies which are partially embedded in the PSA and which have an average particle size less than the average thickness of the PSA layer, and an anti-submarining nano-silica-containing coating layer attached to un-embedded portions of the inorganic particles to prevent total embedding into the PSA when the membrane is rolled or unrolled, whereby water-tight seams are facilitated between overlapped portions of adjacently installed waterproofing membranes, and whereby the water-tight seam is achieved preferably using only detailing or waterproofing tape and without the additional use of a liquid primer, mastic, or other coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and articles for achieving puncture-resistant waterproofing membranes and for waterproofing building and civil engineering surfaces without requiring the use of separate protection boards. Exemplary membranes and methods of the invention rely on relatively thin, flexible composite layers to provide impact resistance while yet facilitating seaming between adjacent installed membranes and minimizing formation of wrinkles, leakage channels, and “fish mouth” openings, particularly at substrate details or other surface irregularities.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, and composition packages for spray-coating a membrane for waterproofing a concrete tunnel applications. After primer coating is applied onto a surface in the tunnel, the coating composition is sprayed to form a membrane, and then concrete is cast or sprayed against the membrane so that it can bond to the membrane. Coating compositions comprise two or more acrylate monomers, as well as initiator, accelerator, and optional additive. Preferably, the coating composition is established by using a two-part package, one part having initiator, the other part having accelerator, and each part containing the monomers and optional additives so that the two parts can be shipped to the application site and mixed in a 1:1 ratio during spraying. The waterproofing coating composition provides excellent bonding with concrete.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid composition of quicklime particles within an alkylene glycol-based paste or slurry environment, which allows for pumpability and meterability of a liquid composition into cementitious materials such as concrete and mortar. Treated quicklime particles of the present invention manifest an unexpected and surprising hydration induction postponement behavior, as demonstrated through calorimetric testing.

Abstract: Method and system to measure and monitor the grey water content in a rotating concrete mixer drum mixer truck using a sensor attached to the interior of the concrete mixer drum. By measuring the grey water content before a batching process takes place, the batched water (and cement content and admixture type and content) can be modified in order to maintain expected performance of the batched load in terms of both strength and rheology, or more simply, some or all of the grey water can be discharged from the concrete mixer drum before batching.

Abstract: A nozzle, including a support member and a nozzle boot surrounding at least a portion of the support member, the nozzle boot having a nozzle boot inlet and a nozzle boot outlet spaced from the nozzle boot inlet and a volume between the nozzle boot inlet and the nozzle boot outlet, the nozzle boot being expandable upon the introduction of fluid into the volume, and collapsible upon withdrawal of fluid from the volume. Also disclosed is a method of removing unwanted concrete from a surface by creating tensile stress to concrete adhered to that surface by causing the surface to expand, and a system for injecting fluid (s) into a rotating drum.

Abstract: Volume of a concrete mix load in a rotatable mixer drum is determined using an in-and-out sensor probe system wherein the probe submerges into and exits from the concrete during mixer drum rotation and provides data to a processor used in the system for calculating volume of the concrete mix load based on the data. To take into consideration any concavity, convexity, and/or cascading surface flow effects that can hinder accurate determination of the concrete load volume, the processor is configured to compare original batch volume and rheology of the concrete load monitored during drum rotation. The calibration of load volume involves a comparison between real-time data and historic data stored in processor-accessible memory, and further take into account the speed and tilt of the mixer drum (such as caused by roadway conditions), the concrete mix design, and other factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for controlling air voids in aqueous systems such as paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, mastics, cements, mortar, masonry, or concrete, which comprises the reaction product of an oxidizing agent and a compound comprising at least one polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine, at least one polyalkyoxylated polyethyleneimine, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention, for achieving a liquid-applicable, aqueous-based coating composition that forms a water-impermeable, vapor permeable barrier coating when applied onto a construction surface and allowed to dry, involve mixing together separate first and second components, wherein the first component comprises an acrylic emulsion, flame retardant, clay, and optionally at least one additive selected from thickeners (e.g., cellulosic), fillers, and other conventional additives; and wherein the second component comprises a freezing point depressing agent with a specific type of thickener selected from the group of associative thickeners, alkali soluble emulsion thickeners, or mixture thereof, to obtain the liquid-applicable coating. The present invention achieves low temperature film formation without reliance upon calcium nitrite, calcium nitrate, or sodium chloride type of freezing point depressing salts. The coating can be applied at low (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a waterproofing membrane which does not require a removable release sheet but which nevertheless bonds to post-cast concrete and facilitates water-tight sealing at membrane-to-membrane overlaps. The waterproofing membrane comprises a carrier and pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layers, an inorganic particle layer having particulate bodies which are partially embedded in the PSA and which have an average particle size less than the average thickness of the PSA layer, and an anti-submarining nano-silica-containing coating layer attached to un-embedded portions of the inorganic particles to prevent total embedding into the PSA when the membrane is rolled or unrolled, whereby water-tight seams are facilitated between overlapped portions of adjacently installed waterproofing membranes, and whereby the water-tight seam is achieved preferably using only detailing or waterproofing tape and without the additional use of a liquid primer, mastic, or other coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides an admixture composition comprising a liquid suspension of colloidal silica, siloxane, and polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant for enhancing early age strength, finishability, and other properties in hydratable cementitious compositions such as concrete (e.g., shotcrete). An inventive method involves mixing the components together in a specific sequence, thereby to obtain a stable liquid suspension. This attainment of a stable liquid suspension is surprising and unexpected because (i) the polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant and siloxane components are incompatible and immiscible with one another; and (ii) that colloidal silica and siloxane compound are incompatible and immiscible with one another.

Abstract: A fire retardant, vapor impermeable coating composition is disclosed which is useful for protecting gypsum, wood, polyurethane, polystyrene, and other construction materials and surfaces, such as components for buildings. The composition does not require halogenated compounds and is considered environmentally friendly. The composition is provided in the form of a liquid-applicable aqueous latex comprising at least one latex polymer and an expandable graphite, optionally a hydrophobic thickener, and optionally other fire retardants such as metal hydroxides, wherein the polymer is selected such that the composition, when coated onto a substrate and allowed to dry, has a vapor permeability not exceeding one perm (5.70×10?8 g/Pa·s·m2 when tested according to ASTM E96B-10 at an average dry film thickness of 40 mils).

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: The present invention discloses cementitious compositions which contain hydratable cement, limestone, or mixture thereof, having improved strength properties due to the presence of calcined clay and certain higher alkanolamines, wherein the calcined clay has an Fe2O3 content of greater than one percent (1%). Also disclosed are exemplary additives and methods for enhancing strength of cement and/or limestone compositions.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the discovery that short chain aliphatic fatty acids, such as potassium sorbate, can be used in liquid-additive grinding compositions in the amount of at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, and most preferably at least 30%, to mill carbonate materials into smaller particle size. The carbonate material can optionally be combined with another inorganic material in the grinding operation, such as limestone, lime, dolomites, talc, titanium dioxide, alumina, and kaolin, ceramics, and cement clinker. The use of the particularly described grinding additive composition are food-grade or food-contact approved, and are believed by the present inventors to resist the humectant behavior of the resultant ground particles which could in herently otherwise decrease efficiency of the particulate grinding process.

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 polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). The protective coating layer protects the membrane against weather exposure, tolerates foot traffic and strongly adheres to concrete cast against it.