Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat in-situ during manufacture of cement. A method of manufacturing cement includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of cement to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) optionally pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the expanded polymeric microspheres with cement.

Abstract: An admixture dispensing system and method that dispenses a dispersant admixture raw material and other admixture raw materials to cementitious compositions based on performance characteristics such as compressive and flexural strength, slump, setting time, air content, finishability, and material or process variables such as temperature, cement type used, additives such as pozzolan, and water cement ratio desired. Computer software algorithms or lookup tables may be used to determine an adjustable ratio of admixture raw materials that when added to the cementitious composition produces the desired performance characteristics. Non-linear dosage rates between dispersant admixture raw materials used for water reduction and strength generation or defoamer admixture raw materials may be calculated to determine the correct amount of each to generate the desired air content in a cementitious composition.

Abstract: A method for an admixture producer to provide admixture formulations to a concrete producer, including inputting technical information, wherein the technical information is inputted into the computer control system by the concrete producer, determining types and levels of admixture raw materials that are needed to attain the desired performance characteristics, dispensing the types and quantities of admixture raw materials needed to produce an admixture formulation having properties needed to attain the desired performance characteristics, wherein the admixture raw materials are dispensed from an inventory of admixture raw materials that is maintained in proximity to a concrete mixing facility of the concrete producer, and invoicing the concrete producer for the admixture formulation.