Abstract: An admixture formulation of at least one polycarboxylate dispersant and at least one naphthalene dispersant is provided. When the polycarboxylate dispersant and the naphthalene dispersant of the admixture formulation are combined at various ratios the admixture formulation reduces the tendency for bleed and segregation in cementitious mixtures without increasing water demand, retarding setting, increasing water sensitivity, promoting high viscosity, or reducing flow retention.

Abstract: A process of boring a tunnel using an earth-pressure balance shield boring tunnelling machine having a cutting head, an excavation chamber for soil removed by boring and conveying means for removal of said soil from the excavation chamber; wherein there is injected into a stratum being bored at the cutting head a foamed aqueous solution, characterized in that (a) the aqueous solution contains two essential components which are (i) a sulphate- or sulphonate-containing anionic susfactant, and (ii) &bgr;-naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensate; and in that (b) there is applied to the soil removed by boring in at least one of the excavation chamber and the conveyor a second aqueous solution containing essentially a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and optionally a sulphate- or sulphonate-containing anionic surfactant. The process allows easy removal of soil from the cutting head to the excavation chamber and from the excavation chamber out of the machine.

Abstract: A cold-weather admixture composition that accelerates the setting time and strength development of cementitious compositions is provided which comprises the components of a soluble inorganic salt having freezing point depressing properties, an inorganic early set and strength accelerator, a polycarboxylate high range water reducing dispersant, and an organic set accelerator. With lower dosages of dispersant than those disclosed in the prior art the admixture composition provides to concrete increased dispersant performance and acceleration of setting time and strength development.

Abstract: A cladding for a partially-overhanging substrate, such as a tunnel wall which comprises in sequence, from the tunnel wall, a drainage means, a sprayed polymeric membrane and a final layer of concrete. The cladding gives an effective cladding in conditions where the tunnel walls suffer from running water at the time of cladding, is easier to apply and requires less material.

Abstract: A cement additive comprising a polycarboxylic acid type copolymer and/or a salt thereof and a polyalkylene glycol derivative, wherein said polycarboxylic acid type copolymer contains one or more species of copolymers composed of at least an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol type monomer and an unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid type monomer as their monomer components. Concretes in which the additive is used have excellent flow, without significant retarding effect, and a low air entrainment. When used with concrete for steam curing it allows earlier removal of form work.

Abstract: An accelerating admixture for sprayed concrete comprises: (a) the reaction product of aluminium hydroxide with an organic acid; (b) aluminium sulphate; and (c) at least one alkanolamine. Concrete to which accelerator has been added sets rapidly.

Abstract: An expansion joint system which is provided to accommodate forces applied to highway construction during normal changes in ambient conditions, and which is also designed to withstand seismic forces and vehicular forces, which may be applied in transverse and longitudinal directions. The system includes spaced-apart transverse vehicle load bearing members which are placed in a gap defined between adjacent sections of highway construction, longitudinally extending support members positioned beneath the load bearing members, means embedded within the adjacent roadway sections that control longitudinal, transverse and vertical movement, and a mechanism for controlling the spacing between the transverse load bearing beams. Preferably, this mechanism maintains a substantially equal distance between the transverse load bearing beam members.

Abstract: Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: Water soluble air controlling agents can be admixed with dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. The water soluble air controlling agents are compatible with water based dispersants. Suitable water soluble air controlling agents include alkoxylated polymers. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent.

Abstract: A polymeric structural support membrane composed of a polymer that is an initiator induced reaction product of a monomer, a co-monomer, an initiator, and optionally a crosslinking agent and a fire retardant, is applied to the surfaces of an excavation to provide structural support. The polymer is a reaction product of a monofunctional monomer and co-monomer. The membrane formed has a tensile strength and a thickness sufficient to provide support to the exposed surfaces in the excavation and can be applied by spraying, brushing, pumping or rolling.

Abstract: A dry formulation for an integrated marking material for concrete and asphalt application comprises a cementitious mixture including a hydraulic or cementitious binder, a redispersible polymeric cement modifier, a retroreflective agent filler, and optionally, a reflective agent filler. The formulation preferably includes a pigment, aggregate, a dispersant, a plasticizer, and/or a water reducer. The formulation optionally includes at least one admixture selected from an accelerator, an air entrainer, a defoamer, fibers, an inert filler, a natural clay, a pozzolanic filler, a retarder, a rheology modifier, a shrinkage compensating agent, a synthetic clay, a suspending agent, and a thickening agent. The marking material, when applied, has broadcast onto and embedded into its surface, additional retroreflective agents.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that can adsorb onto a particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bond-compatible composite membrane comprising a first self-adhesive material layer and a second rough fabric layer, and its use as an intermediate layer between a building structure substrate and exterior finishing materials. Unlike conventional composite membranes, the bond-compatible composite membrane has a rough surface that allows bonding materials to adhere to it. Therefore, mechanical devices are not needed to attach the exterior finishing materials to the building structure.

Abstract: A method of boring a tunnel through a stratum utilizing a shield tunneling apparatus, the process comprising the injection into the stratum at the cutting face of an aqueous material comprising (a) from 0.005-0.05% by weight of a polyethylene oxide of weight-average molecular weight from 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 (b) from 0.05-0.5% by weight of a sulphate-containing anionic surfactant. The method is effective even in difficult soils.

Abstract: A method of managing inventory of admixture and additive material for concrete, grout and mortar in storage containers at remote locations is provided. A level indicator inventories the storage containers. The level or volume of material in the storage container is determined and transmitted to a database via a wireless system. The database can be queried to determine if material needs to be shipped to the storage container. If needed, an order is generated to ship material to the storage container.

Abstract: An internal curing composition for concrete includes a glycol and a wax. The glycol is preferably polyethylene glycol and the wax is preferably paraffin wax. When added to concrete, the composition facilitates the curing of concrete to a low porosity, high compressive strength product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cementitious dry cast mixtures for forming cementitious articles, particularly a cementitious dry cast mixture containing a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant which is a polymer comprising units derived from at least a substituted carboxylic acid monomer or substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally including at least one of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide, and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer.

Abstract: Heating an intimate mixture of: (a) a polyamide which contains pendant carboxylic acid groups; and (b) a compound which contains an amino group efficiently affords graft polymers with a high graft density. Such graft polymers are particularly useful as additives for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: An admixture for cementitious compositions for imparting water repellant properties to the cementitious composition. The admixture comprises a polymer, a surfactant, and a hydrophobic material that is an organic ester of an aliphatic carboxylic acid. Also, a cementitious composition comprising cement, a polymer, a surfactant, and a hydrophobic material that is an organic ester of an aliphatic carboxylic acid. Also, a method of forming a cementitious composition comprising mixing a cement, a polymer, a hydrophobic material, a surfactant, and water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bond-compatible composite membrane that includes a bituminous material layer and a polyester layer and its use as an intermediate layer between a building structure and exterior finishing materials. Unlike conventional composite membranes, the bond-compatible composite membrane has a rough surface that allows bonding materials to adhere to it. Therefore, mechanical devices are not needed to attach the exterior finishing materials to the building structure.