Abstract: High-flexural-strength concrete is produced by mixing wet hydraulic cement-sand mixture with coarse, flat, tabular aggregate, pouring the resulting mixture into a form in a shallow layer, vibrating the form containing the mixture, thereby orienting the coarse aggregate particles, pouring another shallow layer of the mixture into the form, again vibrating the form, and repeating these processes until the form has been filled to the desired level. The mixture then is allowed to cure. Cast-in-place items are prepared by placing thin layers or lifts of oriented, tabular-aggregate concrete into conventional forms and vibrating each lift using flat-plate vibrators.

Abstract: A zone isolator module for use on a penetrometer comprises a tubular body having an annular recess in an exterior wall thereof, an elastomer membrane fixed in the annular recess and adapted to lie against an inner surface of the recess, a sleeve slidably disposed on the tubular body and slidably movable between a first position in which the sleeve completely covers the recess, and a second position in which the sleeve is substantially removed from the recess, and the body having an opening extending outwardly from an axial central bore therethrough to the inner surface of the recess, whereby fluid flowed through the bore and the opening operates to expand the elastomer membrane against the sleeve when the sleeve covers the recess and to expand the elastomer membrane beyond the exterior wall of the body when the sleeve is substantially removed from the recess.

Abstract: Wall panels are fastened to walls or to one another with pairs of identical elically-wound fastener rods which engage each other by turning. Spacer tubes are provided to maintain the desired spacing between panels, or between panels and walls, and to align the helically-wound sections of the fasteners before engaging. Guide prongs may also be used to assist in the alignment of the fasteners with each other before engaging.

Abstract: Portland cement particles having the characteristics of slow hardening is oduced by a process of heat treating portland cement particles in the temperature range from 1500.degree. to 3000.degree. C. for from 0.5 to 10 seconds and cooling to obtain particles containing an amorphous, glassy shell as an outside layer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cementious composition of a strong, light, foamed silicate binder or concrete made from ground, calcium-rich glassy silicates that are the major component of blast-furnace slag. The other materials used to create the material are sodium peroxide and water. The cementious mixture can include a volume modification foaming agent that substitutes a part of the mixture. These agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A low-temperature method for producing coated hazardous waste pellets which re used as the aggregate in a concrete wasteform is characterized by combining hazardous waste with a chemically setting organic polymer to form a mixture which is formed into pellets. The pellets are first coated with epoxy and then coated with a silicate-based powder. The liquid concrete-pellet mixture is then placed in molds which can be rotated to concentrate the pellets away from the perimeter of the wasteform. The double-coated hazardous waste pellets have improved bonding when used as a coarse aggregate in a concrete mixture. The resulting wasteform is self-supporting and needs no external container for transportation, storage, or disposal.

Abstract: The reinforcement of soil to prevent erosion or strength loss, for example n berms and embankments, involves the addition of fibers having an adhesive coating to the soil. Both natural and synthetic fibers may be used. Degradable or non-degradable adhesives may be employed with a preferred adhesive being one which is moderately soluble in water.

Abstract: High-strength, high-hardness concrete, mortar, or grout is prepared by blending portland cement, water, and aggregate with a source of reactive silica, pouring the concrete mixture into a form, allowing the concrete to cure until it reaches its conventional 28-day strength, and immersing the cured concrete in a solution of alkali metal hydroxide and aluminum nitrate at 60.degree.-110.degree. C. for 3-14 days. Alternatively, the cured concrete may be sprayed with the solution and maintained at 60.degree.-110.degree. C. for 3-14 days. A dense, hard surface layer of alkali metal aluminum silicate is formed, the compressive strength and surface hardness of the concrete is increased, and the water infiltration rate into the concrete is decreased.

Abstract: An improved hanging display sign comprises boxes each having transparent e panels and a slot into which panels displaying letters are inserted to display a message. The letter panels are protected from inclement weather and from tampering by vandals by the transparent face panels and by sealing strips. A cable system is used to hold the boxes in a stack, with each box closing the opening in the top of the box below it. Drawing the cables tight holds the boxes together in a stack to form a weatherproof, vandal-proof display sign.

Abstract: A method of containing hazardous and toxic wastes includes the steps of irporating the dried waste, in a salt form, in melted polymer, such as asphalt, and forming the waste salt and asphalt blend into aggregate pellets. The pellets are coated with a powdered coating material that is compatible with a portland cement-based mortar or other cementitious material which is used. The coated particles are mixed with mortar to form a polymer-aggregate concrete and cast into wasteforms for storage or burial. If it is desirable to produce a waste form with a continuous layer of mortar on the exterior of the concrete monolith the mold can be placed on a turntable and spun, or otherwise exposed to a centrifugal force to force the mortar to the outside of the mold. Centrifugal separation is possible because the polymer-waste mixture typically has a specific gravity near 1.5 while that of the cementitious mixture is typically greater than 2.0.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for hardening, finishing and shaping reactive cement te by utilizing electrolysis and electrophoresis. The molding apparatus confines a reactive paste in a porous mold, out of direct contact with electrodes. The electrodes are immersed in chambers filled with an electrolyte and are separated from the mold by a filter and perforated support. When a current is applied to the electrodes, the electrolyte decomposes forming a reactive solution that will harden the paste after contact. The filter on the perimeter of the mold, prevents particulates or bubbles, coming from the electrodes, from passing through to the porous mold distorting the hardening paste. In order to uniformly harden a solid or asymmetric shaped section, the movement of the reactive solution through the paste requires that a set of electrodes surrounding the solid or asymmetric section be energized, in pairs, with two electrodes on opposite sides of the configuration, constituting a pair.

Abstract: An alkali-activated silicate based cement or binder has a cure characteric which is modified by a phosphate additive which retards the set time of the cement or binder. The phosphate allows a longer set time than conventional alkali-activated silicate glass cements.

Abstract: An improved module and assembly for sampling liquids and gases within the ground is characterized by module housings containing sampling cavities having lateral openings to the exterior of the housings. Within each lateral opening a removable insert and piston assembly is provided. The piston is displaceable between open and closed positions within the insert in response to changes in pressure from pressure and vacuum sources. When in the closed position, the piston and insert are flush with the exterior of the housing to prevent contaminants from accumulating at the opening. When the module is inserted to a desired depth in the ground, the piston is displaced to the open position and samples from the soil at the desired depth enter the sampling cavity.

Abstract: An air or gaseous fluid lubricated penetrometer reduces friction between the soil and the push rod string. Air is pumped into the interior of the string and is directed by exit ports into the annular space between the soil and the outer walls of the string. Without damaging the soil, the air prevents the soil from adhering to the sides of the string and thereby reduces frictional forces that restrict the downward movement thereof. The exit ports in the string are located above the instrument housing so that accurate measurements can be made on the soil properties.

Abstract: A well installation preform for locating and dispensing granular materials nto a bore hole around the screen of a well casing is disclosed. A cylindrical sleeve containing a liner is assembled about the screen end of the well casing. The space between the sleeve and the well casing is filled with an ordered layer of granular material including a filter material adjacent the screen, a sealing material above the filter material and the screen and a quantity of filler material above the sealing material. The lower end of the sleeve is blocked while the preform is lowered into the well. The sleeve is thereafter removed whereby the liner is everted and the granular material is uniformly dispensed about the well casing in the bore hole. The sealing material forms a seal above the filter material for establishing an isolated filtration zone about the screen. A method of constructing the well using the preform and the resulting well structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present inventions relates to a method for the controlled hardening of cid-setting cements and binders by first providing an acid-setting binder within a selected mold. Mixing with the binder an electrolyte to form a paste or slurry within the mold. Subjecting the paste or slurry mixture to electrolysis for a selected period of time or until the binder is sufficiently hardened whereby a hardened article is produced. Finally, removing the produced article from the mold.

Abstract: The setting or hardening reaction of binders and cements of the types which are alkali-activated or acid-activated is controlled by forming a paste of the binder or cement and a salt which, under electrolysis forms the activating agent, placing the paste in a mold, providing two electrodes, one of which may be the mold, in contact with the paste, and passing an electric current between the electrodes to generate the activating agent by electrolysis.

Abstract: A reagent carrying tape is captured between the soil and the outer wall of penetrometer. As the penetrometer moves with respect to the soil, the tape is pressed against an optical window in the penetrometer. Contaminants in the soil reacting with the reagents cause an optically sensible reaction in the tape to occur which is optically detected at the optical port as the penetrometer moves with respect to the tape and the soil sample. The optically sensible reaction occurring in the tape is optically isolated from the masking effects of the soil. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time, on-site detection and analysis of caminant in soil, the invention continuously measures and records specific spectral properties of potentially contaminated soil along a typically vertical profile as a soil penetrating probe of the invention penetrates the soil. The probe is fitted with a light transparent window and a light source disposed internally of the probe. Light from internally of the probe passes through the window and is reflected back through the window from the soil as the probe passes through the soil, the light reflected from the soil back through the window being collected by a fiber optic link within the probe. The collected light is then transmitted through the fiber optic link to the surface for measurement and recordation of spectral distribution and intensity.

Abstract: An explosive stemming device for dispensing granular material into a boree containing an explosive charge therein is disclosed as including a cylindrical member having a flexible sleeve-like liner adapted to conform to the interior thereof when filled with granular material. One end of the liner is turned around an end of the cylindrical member and secured thereto while the other end of the liner is fixed to a centrally positioned pipe whereby extracting of the member containing granular material from the borehole causes everting or turning inside out of the liner and dispensing of the material in the borehole.