Abstract: Excavated earth from construction sites may be recycled as backfilling material or grout by incorporating it into a hydraulic composite. This is done firstly by blending excavated soil with a solidifying quantity of a hydraulic material and a fluidifying quantity of water and at least one first admixture selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids, phosphonic acid derivatives and saccharides and derivatives thereof, and blending the mixture thus created with a cement-dispersing agent at a time between the addition of the hydraulic material and the commencement of set of the hydraulic material. The hydraulic composites thus created have good fluidity, good final strength and low proneness to cracking.

Abstract: A desired amount of liquid ("unit dose") to be dispensed from a stationary dispenser is automatically, accurately controlled by suddenly interrupting the flow of liquid being dispensed after a major portion of the unit dose has been dispensed. A portion of the lost momentum is restored and discharge of the unit dose is completed. Pressurized inert gas is used to speed up dispensing the unit dose to meet a fill-and-discharge cycle time of <2 min, preferably <1 min. The unit dose is dispensed with better than .+-.5% accuracy, preferably at least .+-.3%, without measuring either the level or the volume of the liquid in the dispenser, or directly measuring the weight of liquid dispensed. More than the desired amount of liquid to be dispensed is held in the dispenser which is charged under pressure in the range from 380-790 kPa (40 to 100 psig), at too high a velocity to establish a stable level.

Abstract: A hardenable composition suitable for flooring and for coating concrete surfaces comprising(a) an acrylic binder comprising a (meth)acrylic ester of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is C.sub.2-6 alkylene, n is 0-3 and R.sub.2 is a radical of an aromatic or alicyclic dicarboxylic acid ester or a dicyclopentenyl radical, n being 0 only when R.sub.2 is a dicyclopentenyl radical, and(b) a component which is one or both (preferably both) of carbon black and a polyfunctional aliphatic or aromatic polyester- or polyether- urethane oligomer. The composition also preferably comprises aggregate such as sand. The compositions have excellent impact resistance and flexural strength.

Abstract: In a method for blending of admixtures in a concrete mass which is transported through pipes/hoses to a casting site and in which the mass shall have a consistency which is suitable for casting of the mass on wall or roof surfaces there are used admixtures consisting of two components which react with each other. The two components are mixed into the mass at different points in time, possibly in combination with normally used additional admixtures for the mass.

Abstract: The interlayer adhesion and final strength of cementitious compositions which are applied in consecutive layers are improved by the incorporation in the compositions of an admixture which is a combination of a waterproofing agent and a water retention agent. The invention is particularly applicable to sprayed concrete.

Abstract: A random copolymer corresponding to Formula I in free acid or salt form having the following types and numbers of monomer units; ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the moities (i) and (ii);--CR.sub.1 R.sub.2 --CR.sub.3 R.sub.4 -- (i)wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are selected from substituted benzene, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, C.sub.2-8 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-8 alkoxy, carboxyl and hydrogen, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 can together with R.sub.2 and/or R.sub.4 form a ring; and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 alkyl; and ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are as for (i) and R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 are individually selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 together with R.sub.7 and/or R.sub.8, R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 form a continuous C.sub.

Abstract: A random copolymer corresponding to Formula I in free acid or salt form having the following types and numbers of monomer units; ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the moieties (i) and (ii);--CR.sub.1 R.sub.2 --CR.sub.3 R.sub.4 -- (i)wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are selected from substituted benzene, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, C.sub.2-8 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-8 alkoxy, carboxyl and hydrogen, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 can together with R.sub.2 and/or R.sub.4 form a ring; and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 alkyl; and ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are as for (i) and R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 are individually selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 together with R.sub.7 and/or R.sub.8, R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 form a continuous C.sub.

Abstract: An admixture for modifying the fluidity of a cementitious mixture comprises a cement-dispersing agent which is an aqueous solution of polymer, in which solution an oxyalkylene-based defoaming agent is dissolved or dispersed in particles of no greater that 20 .mu.M diameter. The polymer is preferably a polymer which comprises units derived from unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and the polymer is preferably prepared in the presence of the defoaming agent. Particular addition copolymers give particularly good results. The admixture permits good control of the fluidity of cementitious compositions and has extended shelf life.