Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to be placed over an open flame source and employed as a grilling surface for cooking. The apparatus further has a flat grilling platform, a support frame, and a hoist assembly. The grilling platform is operatively suspended from the support frame by the hoist assembly such that the hoist assembly can raise and lower the grilling platform as desired. An embodiment of the apparatus provides for a fire box to facilitate construction and containment of a fire for use with the apparatus.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A method of placing a concrete compositions including a) combining 3-40 volume percent cement, 5-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 5-50 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water; b) adding 1.5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles to form a concrete composition; and c) pumping the concrete composition to a point higher in elevation than the delivery point of the concrete to place the concrete. The concrete composition contains less than 30 volume percent of other light weighting aggregates and the prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the placed concrete measured according to ASTM C 143 is greater than 1 inch and the concrete has a density of from about 40 to about 135 lb./ft3.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the durability of and/or the amount of air in concrete formulations that include combining cement, water, and optionally aggregates, admixtures and/or additives to form a cement mixture; and adding prepuff particles to the cement mixture to form a concrete formulation. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, a bulk density of from 0.015 g/cc to 0.35 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and a smooth continuous outer surface. The cured and hardened concrete formulation typically has a relative dynamic modulus of at least 70% determined according to Procedure A of ASTM C666 (2003). The amount of air in the concrete typically increases over the amount of air in similar formulations not containing prepuff particles, as determined according to ASTM C231, based on the volume percent of prepuff. The concrete formulations can be used to make articles.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A method of placing a concrete compositions including a) combining 3-40 volume percent cement, 5-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 5-50 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water; b) adding 1.5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles to form a concrete composition; and c) pumping the concrete composition to a point higher in elevation than the delivery point of the concrete to place the concrete. The concrete composition contains less than 30 volume percent of other light weighting aggregates and the prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the placed concrete measured according to ASTM C 143 is greater than 1 inch and the concrete has a density of from about 40 to about 135 lb./ft3.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the durability of and/or the amount of air in concrete formulations that include combining cement, water, and optionally aggregates, admixtures and/or additives to form a cement mixture; and adding prepuff particles to the cement mixture to form a concrete formulation. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, a bulk density of from 0.015 g/cc to 0.35 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and a smooth continuous outer surface. The cured and hardened concrete formulation typically has a relative dynamic modulus of at least 70% determined according to Procedure A of ASTM C666 (2003). The amount of air in the concrete typically increases over the amount of air in similar formulations not containing prepuff particles, as determined according to ASTM C231, based on the volume percent of prepuff. The concrete formulations can be used to make articles.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: An automated system and method for evaluating and auditing lenders and loan portfolios is described. This lender evaluation system is user friendly and increases auditors' productivity by, among other things, gathering all necessary information in a readily accessible electronic location. The lender evaluation system, and associated methods, further reduce the risk of potential human error and the risk of lost data, and concomitantly improves data integrity.