Abstract: A treatment method includes injecting oxygen into the liquid steel works slag, adding and dissolving in the slag alumina and lime sources, and optionally silica and iron sources and cooling the slag until solidification, the additions being carried out in such amounts and the cooling being performed at such speed that the resulting slag has a mineralogical composition having one of the following constituting element: (a) an amorphous glassy phase; (b) a first group of phases (1) consisting, in weight percentages, of 10–40 CA, 20–50 C2AS, 30–50 C6AF2 and 10–30 C2S; (c) a second group of phases (2) consisting, in weight percentages, of 20–40 C2F, 10–30 C2AS, 20–50 C6AF2 and 10–40 C2S, and (d) a mixture of amorphous glassy phase and of the first or second group of phases. The invention is applicable to hydraulic binders.

Abstract: There is now provided a building having a pitched, sculptured tile roof with a ridge extending atop the pitched, sculptured tile roof, with a pitched tile roof venting arrangement disposed at the ridge. The building has walls to support a roof having a ridge beam, roof rafters, and battens that support roofing tiles. The roof also has a row of ridge tiles disposed on said ridge beam. A venting arrangement is disposed atop the ridge beam, between the ridge tiles and the roofing tiles. The venting arrangement has a center strip that is placed onto the ridge beam, and two side strips that cover a portion of adjacent uppermost roofing tiles. The side strips have air venting openings for the passage of air from beneath the roof to the outside of the roof. The air venting openings are covered by cover bands which cover bands permit passage of air to flow therethrough and prevent rain or drift snow to readily penetrate through the air venting openings.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a novel plasterboard and its manufacturing processes. The novel board comprises, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, on the other side, two other, second, parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones; or, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, either on the same side or on the other side, two second parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones, the said other parallel feathered edges having a width of between 100 and 200 mm; or, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, either on the same side or on the other side, two second parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones, the said second parallel feathered edges having a width such that the ratio of the width of the said second parallel feathered edges to the width of the said first parallel feathered edges is between 1.5 and 5.

Abstract: A wall stud has two sidewalls interconnected by a spanning web that includes first and second portions connected to respective sidewalls and being connected themselves by a curved member, preferably of semicircular shape. The curved member also has at least one row of longitudinal slots formed along its length. Sound insulating material may be packed within the stud.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing a sound absorbing tile made from a slurry including, quick setting cement, water, fibers and foaming agent, the process including the steps of (i) mixing cementitious material, water, foaming agent but without incorporation of prefabricated foam with fibers into a slurry; subsequently; (ii) injecting and distributing air into the slurry of step (i) to form a cellular slurry; subsequently; (iii) forming tiles or precursor products of tiles from the cellular slurry; and finally; (iv) allowing the cellular slurry to set into the desired tile or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: A partition includes a plurality of posts and a plurality of plaster boards on each side. Unitary spaces defined by the posts and the boards are divided into between 3 and 1000 volumes per m2 and, preferably, at least 6 volumes per m2, and a method of producing the inventive partition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plaster boards (12) in which two bound sheets of paper, namely one cream paper (3) and one grey paper (4), enclose a plaster-based hydraulic binder (2) in a former (7), thereby creating a composite strip (10) which hardens on two hardening strips (8 and 9), said strips having two horizontal tapering strips disposed along the edge thereof. The invention consists in: shaping the cream paper (3) along emboss lines (20); providing stiffening slots (23) on either side of the emboss lines (20); reinforcing the mechanical strength of said emboss lines (20) by covering same with a coating (15); allowing the emboss lines (20) to exceed the aforementioned former (7) and the hardening strips (8 and 9) and generating the double slope imprint (19); and, subsequently, cutting the composite strip (10) to the right and at the middle of each double slope imprint (19).

Abstract: A jointing compound or plaster for construction elements, particularly paper-faced plasterboards. This plaster includes, in percentages by weight with respect to the total weight of plaster 50 to 85% of a mineral filler; 1 to 20% of an organic binder dispersible in an aqueous phase; 1 to 15% of a silicate-based agent other than the mineral filler; 0.2 to 5% of a hydrophobic agent which is a silicone derivative; 0.05 to 5% of polyvinyl alcohol; and water to make up to 100%. A method of producing a work such as a partition, a wall covering or a ceiling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gypsum composition including gypsum, water, and a surfactant composition of alkyl sulfates of formula H(CH2)nOSO3?M+, in which n is from 6 to 16, the mean number of carbon atoms in the alkyl sulfate composition nm being between 10 and 11, and M is a monovalent cation. A process for the preparation of the gypsum composition and a gypsum board obtainable from this composition. Finally, a process for the manufacture of gypsum boards. Application for the manufacture of foamed gypsum boards.

Abstract: A binder for self-compacting concrete includes, in dry weight of the-binder, 70 to 90% of Portland cement, 4 to 16% of calcium aluminate, 4 to 14% of calcium sulphate, an accelerator and a retarder, 0 to 2% of Ca(OH)2 and at least an additive with a water reducer. The calcium sulphate is in the form of anhydrite and the water reducer has at least a superplasticizer consisting of a water soluble or water dispersible organic compound, having at least an amino-di(alkylene-phosphonic) group and at least a polyoxyalkylated chain or at least one of its salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint compound composition for building elements, particularly paper-faced plasterboards. This composition comprises: a) 50 to 60% of calcium sulphate hemihydrate; b) 5 to 15% of an organic binder in powder form; and c) 0.05 to 0.2% of a water repellent. The invention also relates to a method producing a structure, such as a partition, a wall trim or a ceiling. According to this method: building elements are juxtaposed; the joint compound composition according to the invention is mixed with water so as to obtain a joint compound; the space between the building elements is filled by means of the joint compound obtained above, without using a tape; and the joint compound is left to harden.

Abstract: A gypsum dryer/calciner (1) includes a calcining space (2), a first pipe (4) exhibiting an inlet connected to a source of hot gases (3) and an outlet emerging in the calcining space (2); a second pipe (5) exhibiting an inlet connected to a source of gypsum (8) and an outlet emerging in the calcining space, the second pipe being concentric with the first pipe; a force-feeding screw (6) positioned at least partially in the second pipe, the said screw carrying the gypsum along in the calcining space. A process for calcining gypsum and to the plaster capable of being obtained by this process.

Abstract: A production process for boards (9b,11), based on a hydraulic binder such as plaster, having thinned edges (10). This process, before the passage into the die (4, 403), the extraction of a lath (6, 23) from a lath magazine (20) and the introduction of this lath (6, 23) under the facing material (1) of the board. A production line for such boards (9b,11) as well as a device for the introduction of laths (6,23) under the facing material (1).

Abstract: A manufacturing line for gypsum boards includes a conveyor for moving gypsum boards in a line; a spray arm having a pivot at one end thereof for supporting the spray arm in a pivotable manner; a base frame mounted adjacent the conveyor; a support for the pivot mounted on the base frame so that the spray arm can be pivoted from an operative position wherein the spray arm extends over the conveyor to an inoperative position; a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the spray arm for spraying a coating on gypsum boards on the conveyor; and a pump system on the frame to deliver the coating to the plurality of spray nozzles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing set cellular cement, including the steps of: (i) mixing cementitious material, water, foaming agent and optionally additives into a free flowing slurry having a slump of at least 100 mm; subsequently (ii) injecting and distributing air into the slurry of step (i) to form a cellular slurry; subsequently (iii) casting the cellular slurry of step (ii); and finally allowing the cellular slurry to set. And, an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A process and a line is for the production of hydraulic binder boards having tapered cut ends, the hydraulic binder being in particular gypsum. The process includes: i) spraying a softening liquid on at least one cut end (24a, 24b) of the board (24); ii) waiting for the softening liquid to penetrate the board (24); and iii) applying pressure on said at least one cut end (24a, 24b) of said hydraulic binder board (24). According to another aspect, the process includes moving at least one first and one second hydraulic binder boards (24) on a conveyor; and applying pressure on the cut ends (24a) of said hydraulic binder boards (24).

Abstract: A method for treating a raw steel plant slag to transform it into a hydraulic binder at least equivalent to a Portland cement clinker, comprises the following steps: oxidizing treatment with input of oxygen, air or a mixture thereof at a pressure ranging between 1 to 15 bars, at a temperature ranging between 1650 and 1400° C., of raw steel slag containing, relative to the raw slag total weight, at least 45 wt. % of CaO and less than 30 wt. % of Fe2O3; and adding to the slag a lime source optionally with silica and/or alumina, so that the slag, after tranformation and at room temperature, has a propotion of Fe2O3 of less than 13 wt. % and a mineralogical composition comprising at least 40 wt. % in C3S mineralogical phase and more than 10 wt. %, of calcium ferrite, relative to the final slag total weight.

Abstract: A non-efflorescing cementitious body is formed from sources of calcium aluminate, calcium silicate, calcium sulphate and reactive silica, these ingredients being present in such relative proportions that, upon hydration, both monosulphate (C3A.C?.12H) and hydrated alumina (AH3) are formed. Also disclosed is a hydraulic binder and a paste from which such bodies can be formed and a method for forming such bodies. In addition to exhibiting low efflorescence, these bodies retain satisfactory physical properties, especially good durability to natural weathering conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for stabilizing plaster and an apparatus for implementing the moistening part of the process. The process comprises the following steps: a) providing a heated HH-plaster preferably at temperatures over 100° C.; b) feeding the hot plaster in a moistening device having walls heated to at least 100° C.; c) injecting water and/or steam into the moistening device in conditions that such not yet moistened surfaces of the plaster are exposed to the injected water and/or steam; d) maintaining an atmosphere in the moistening device at a level of the dew point in the range of 75 to 99° C.; e) feeding the moistened blend into a curing device; f) maintaining an atmosphere in the curing device above 75° C. for at least 3 minutes; g) feeding the moistened and cured blend into a drying device; and h) drying said moistened and cured blend.