Abstract: A method of blending concrete is provided wherein there is a determination of a standard volume of water to add to a dry concrete mix to provide hydrated concrete with a desired slump value, and then calculating a substitution volume of an aqueous composition including colloidal silica to be used in place of an eliminated portion of the standard volume of the water, and mixing the substitution volume of the aqueous composition with the concrete mix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed or segmented tool wherein the longitudinal blade or edge portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A composition that penetrates surfaces of equipment for use with an uncured cementitious material, such as uncured concrete includes an aqueous solution with colloidal silica. Pretreatment of a surface with such an aqueous solution may reduce or eliminate adhesion of uncured cementitious material to the surface. A composition that cleans hardened and/or cured cementitious material from the surfaces of such equipment also includes an aqueous composition with colloidal silica. Hardened and/or cured cementitious material may be removed from equipment surfaces by applying the hardened and/or cured cementitious material with the aqueous solution to soften the cementitious material and optionally abrading the softened cementitious material to mechanically remove the same from the equipment surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed or segmented tool wherein the longitudinal blade or edge portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A composition capable of pretreating surfaces of equipment for use with an uncured cementitious material, such as uncured concrete includes an aqueous solution with colloidal silica. Pretreatment of a surface with such an aqueous solution may reduce or eliminate adhesion of uncured cementitious material to the surface. A composition capable of cleaning hardened and/or cured cementitious material from the surfaces of such equipment also includes an aqueous composition with colloidal silica. Hardened and/or cured cementitious material may be removed from equipment surfaces by wetting the hardened and/or cured cementitous material with the aqueous solution to soften the cementitious material, and optionally abrading the softened cementitious material to mechanically remove the same from the equipment surfaces.

Abstract: A composition for pretreating surfaces of equipment for use with an uncured cementitious material, such as uncured concrete, and/or for cleaning cured cementitious material from the surfaces of such equipment includes an aqueous solution with colloidal silica. Pretreatment of a surface with such an aqueous solution may reduce or eliminate adhesion of uncured cementitious material to the surface. Cured cementitious material may be removed from equipment surfaces by wetting the cured cementitous material with the aqueous solution to chemically soften the cured cementitious material, along with abrading the cured cementitious material to mechanically remove the same from the equipment surfaces. Systems for removing cured cementitious material from the surfaces of equipment configured to use with uncured cementitious material include an abrasive element and an aqueous solution with colloidal silica.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed or segmented tool wherein the longitudinal blade or edge portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed or segmented tool wherein the longitudinal blade or edge portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A composition capable of pretreating surfaces of equipment for use with an uncured cementitious material, such as uncured concrete includes an aqueous solution with colloidal silica. Pretreatment of a surface with such an aqueous solution may reduce or eliminate adhesion of uncured cementitious material to the surface. A composition capable of cleaning hardened and/or cured cementitious material from the surfaces of such equipment also includes an aqueous composition with colloidal silica. Hardened and/or cured cementitious material may be removed from equipment surfaces by wetting the hardened and/or cured cementitous material with the aqueous solution to soften the cementitious material, and optionally abrading the softened cementitious material to mechanically remove the same from the equipment surfaces.

Abstract: A composition for pretreating surfaces of equipment for use with an uncured cementitious material, such as uncured concrete, and/or for cleaning cured cementitious material from the surfaces of such equipment includes an aqueous solution with colloidal silica. Pretreatment of a surface with such an aqueous solution may reduce or eliminate adhesion of uncured cementitious material to the surface. Cured cementitious material may be removed from equipment surfaces by wetting the cured cementitious material with the aqueous solution to chemically soften the cured cementitious material, along with abrading the cured cementitious material to mechanically remove the same from the equipment surfaces. Systems for removing cured cementitious material from the surfaces of equipment configured to use with uncured cementitious material include an abrasive element and an aqueous solution with colloidal silica.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed or segemented tool wherein the longitudinal blade or edge portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which include wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica and, with silica on the surface, finishing the surface. The surface may be finished with a power trowel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a amorphous colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed tool wherein the longitudinal blade portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica; cutting the softened surface to provide a cut surface; and polishing the cut surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a amorphous colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed tool wherein the longitudinal blade portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A method for removing concrete from a concrete mixing drum is disclosed. The method may comprise applying a solution including amorphous colloidal silicate to an interior surface of the concrete mixing drum, allowing the solution to penetrate concrete adhered to the interior surface, dislodging one or more pieces of concrete from the interior surface, removing the one or more pieces of concrete from the mixing drum, and allowing the solution to form a coating on the interior surface to counteract further adhesion between concrete and the mixing drum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a amorphous colloidal silica, allowing time for the colloidal silica to penetrate the concrete surface, and cutting the surface of the concrete with a bladed tool wherein the longitudinal blade portion is positioned approximately at an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the surface of the concrete.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a power-trowel fastening apparatus comprising an arm, a resurfacing tool, and a fastening system. The resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm and is connected to the first arm. The resurfacing tool also has a surface side and a fastening side. The fastening system sits between the first arm and the resurfacing tool and includes a peg, an aperture, a magnet, and a magnet recess. Both the peg and the magnet extend from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool. Both the aperture and the magnet recess reside along the bottom of the first arm and are configured to the dimensions and locations of the peg and the magnet on the resurfacing tool. The magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm.

Abstract: A drilling fluid for discharging in a borehole to facilitate drilling operations, and hydraulic fracturing in particular, comprising amorphous silicas having a particle size ranging from about one to about ten nanometers and water, wherein the pH of the fluid is substantially neutral.