Abstract: Triplebasic propellant powders consist of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin or an equivalently acting explosive oil and crystalline nitroguanidino, which are processed by mixing with one another and plasticizing the NC by means of a solvent, e.g. acetone, as well as by kneading the mixture and subsequent shaping to solid propellant powder bodies. In order to improve the thermal stability, particularly the cold embrittlement behaviour, at least one organic titanate from the group of monoalkoxy, chelate, quaternary, neoalkoxy, cycloheteroatom or coordinated titanates and/or at least one organic zirconate from the group of neoalkoxy zirconates is added to the propellant powder in a proportion of .ltoreq.2%, preferably .ltoreq.0.5%. This addition improves the chemical stability of the propellant powder.

Abstract: A method and a mould for manufacturing articles of compacted powder by isostatic compression of powder in a mould, which is made of flexible material of substantially constant thickness and is substantially barrel-shaped, the mould having at one end a bottom made integral with the rest of the mould and being adapted to be closed by a separate plug at its other end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for guiding a concrete feeding hose in connection with the grout feedin rock bolting. The concrete feeding hose is therein passed by means of a feeder froma reel into a guide head supported on a feeding beam of a drilling equipment and further through the guide head into a hole drilled in the rock, and is passed back on to the reel in proportion as the hole is filled. In order to protect the feeder of the concrete feeding hose against dirt and mechanical damage, the concrete feeding hose is pushed into the guide head through a flexible guiding means.

Abstract: A device for storing a concrete feeding hose in a rock bolting device, comprising a reel for a hose, which reel is mounted rotatably on a supporter, and that end of the hose which is attached to the reel is connected to concrete feeding means. In order that the coiling device could be used for passing the hose into a drill hole and for drawing it out of the hole, the reel is surrounded by a ring-shaped supporting wall against which the hose is positioned when the reel is rotated in the uncoiling direction. An unrotative guiding means is provided beside the supporting wall so as to guide the hose out of the reel by the action of an axial expulsive force exerted on the hose due to the rotary movement of the reel.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of combustible articles by embossing combustible paper and combustible articles thus produced.The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external outlines from combustible paper containing nitrocellulose by embossing at least one combustible paper disc 11 comprising a central part 12 and a peripheral part consisting of a plurality of portions 13 separated from each other by radial slits 14 the length "L" of which is smaller than the radius "R" of the said disc 11 and the width "e" in which is at least equal to the minimum width required to prevent the overlapping of the said portions 13 when the disc 11 is deformed by embossing.The invention also relates to combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external out-lines, consisting of at least one sheet of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and in particular those produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a double-base propellent composition with low flame-glare emission, and a propellent composition thus obtained.The process of the invention consists in casting a nitrocellulose-based moulding powder with a nitroglycerine-based casting solvent. According to the invention, the moulding powder consists of a mixture of two powders, one of which contains the antiglare agents, and the weight ratio of the powder containing the antiglare agents to the other powder is between 15/85 and 50/50. The invention permits an antiglare agent to be added to a propellent composition without affecting the ballistic properties of the composition, while strengthening the antiglare effect of this agent.The invention is applicable particularly in the field of solid-fuel propulsion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing powder material in which powder is dosed into a die (48) and with the aid of at least one press means (14) is compressed to a ready detail, pressing continuing until a desired final position of the press means or a desired press force has been achieved.The actual value for the position of the press means (14) is sensed when desired press force has been achieved, or the actual value for the press force is registered when the final position has been achieved. The registered actual value is compared with a predetermined criterion value and the pressed detail is accepted or rejected depending on the size of the deviation between actual and criterion values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an in situ disposable propellant canister for utilization in controlled pulse fracturing. Said canister is composed of a porous light fabric material in combination with a gel solution. The gel creates a formable mass after solidification. Said mass can be made of a gel thickness sufficient to support and contain a propellant. Upon ignition of said propellant, the gelled canister is destroyed thereby alleviating a clean up operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the construction of a low-cost building structure through the synergistic composition of material, process, and structural design. In a first embodiment, a specially fashioned balloon, in the shape of a house, is used as a one-sided form, and is sprayed with a building material formulation. The building formulation may include: structural material, reinforcing material such as fibers to eliminate or minimize separate structural reinforcement, a gaseous bubble material (to provide thermal insulation), and other ingredients such as fillers, strengtheners, bulk-formers, accelerators, coloring agents and dryers. The structure can be created rapidly, and the balloon deflated and removed in minimum time, all by a few as 2 men. The low cost of the labor and materials and equipment used according to the present invention result in a more economical method of creating a building than any presently known method.

Abstract: A feeder comprising a hopper and a pusher, the pusher comprising a pusher sleeve, which is provided at its bottom with a perforated plate, and a cylinder actuating the pusher sleeve along the wall surface of the hopper, which directly supplies a W/O emulsion explosive into a cartridge machine without mixing with air and without breakage of hollow microspheres.

Abstract: A pre-measured amount of dry mix cement that is enclosed in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir is placed in a ground hole sized to the form it is receiving. It is in conical or cylindrical form with a center square or round hole receiving a square or round post or pole and is placed in the ground and the post or pole is inserted in the center hole. The water reservoir is of such volume that when it is filled the proper amount of water is provided for the amount of dry mix cement in the form. Then with dissolving of the water soluble material the cement and water may be mixed and stirred in place around the post or pole manually with a mixing rod. With drilling through a floor and into earth beneath the floor a similar product is used with the dry mix cement encased in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir. The form is placed in the hole and the reservoir is filled with water and then mixed with dissolving of the water soluble material.

Abstract: A building form into which concrete may be poured to form a column or similar structure includes a plurality of stacked form units having interconnected expandable and contractible joints. The application of a vertically upward force to the joints of the uppermost form unit causes all the units to move together, first laterally outwardly and then upwardly to strip the form from the column. The form thereafter may be moved to another location where the joints of the form units may be contracted to provide a form for pouring another column. The joints include movable portions which are cammed outwardly or inwardly depending on the direction of vertical movement of a central, vertically movable portion.

Abstract: The effectiveness of the burning rate accelerator, iron oxide (Fe.sub.2 Ob.3), is enhanced, and a markedly improvement in the mechanical properties of a propellant composition are simultaneously achieved as a result of grinding a composite propellant paste in a roller mill instead of in a conventional sigma blade propellant mixer. The propellant paste is composed of a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer, fluid-energy mill-ground ammonium perchlorate, dioctyl adipate, aluminum oxide, isophthaloyl bis-1-(2-methylaziridine), and iron oxide. The final product has a higher stress capability, higher strain capability, higher modulus, and higher gel fraction, and a burning rate that is about 80% higher as compared with sigma blade propellant ground and mixed propellant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a body of a rocket propulsion unit comprising a rubber wall forming a chamber which contains a propergol and an outer wall forming reinforcement, characterized in that the following steps are carried out:the rubber chamber is coated with an adhesive agent,the whole is baked at a temperature higher than about 100.degree. C.,the propergol is introduced into the chamber,the outer wall is made by depositing impregnated fibers around the chamber and polymerization at a temperature lower than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the introduction of a charge into a projectile casing, in which the charge is initially rough-pressed or compacted externally of the projectile casing, thereafter inserted into the projectile casing, and subsequently finish-compacted. Subsequent to the rough-pressing of the charge, the charge is brought down to a temperature which is lower than that of the projectile casing, and wherein the charge is introduced into the projectile casing prior to equilibrating the temperature difference.

Abstract: An insulating foam and a process for producing insulating foam, wherein a foamable first component may be made of alkyl sulfate, half ester of maleic anhydride and acrylic resin in an aqueous solution is mechanically foamed with air, and to that foam is added an aqueous solution of magnesium oxide, dispersant, acrylic resin, perlite and/or precipitated calcium carbonate. To those components is added an aqueous solution of at least one of aluminum chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, sulfamic acid, sodium silicate, zinc oxide, barium metaborate, vinyl alcohol, magnesium carbonate, calcium chloride and vinyl acetate. In another embodiment a polyvinyl alcohol and dispersant first portion is foamed with air and mixed with a second cementitious portion comprising magnesium oxide and barium metaborate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of priming a blank or bulleted rimfire cartridge comprising the steps of (a) dosing into the rimfire case a quantity of a substantially dry, powdery, relatively insensitive premix comprising, in predetermined proportions, at least two materials that will, in the presence of a liquid reaction medium, react together forming a primary explosive compound, (b) compacting the premix so as substantially to fill the rim of the case therewith, (c) dosing a quantity of the liquid reaction medium into the case so as to cause said materials to react together forming the primary explosive compound and (d) drying the primer. By compacting the premix into the rim before the addition of the liquid reaction medium, the conventional spinning step may be dispensed with, thereby making the priming process safer and more economic.

Abstract: An adhesive medium for the bonding of surfaces in ammunition which contains explosive charges. The adhesive medium essentially consists of: 14 to 46% by weight of a binding resin non-hardening in oxygen, having a softening point below the melting point of the explosive; 6 to 26% by weight of a pigment composition; and 24 to 66% by weight of a polymeric solvent composition.

Abstract: An adjustable restraint assembly connectable between a dome portion of a solid propellant rocket motor casing and a rigid base or support, for use during the curing of a propellant in the casing. The assembly includes an upper attach bracket connectable to the dome portion, a lower attach bracket connectable to a rigid base, upper and lower flanges connected to the upper and lower brackets, respectively, and an adjustable threaded turnbuckle-like member connected between the flanges. The assembly is used to establish a maximum net downward deflection of the dome portion upon maximum pressurization of the uncured propellant in the motor casing and is thereafter adjusted at various times during the curing process to reduce and ultimately eliminate the deflection in increments to thereby improve the bond between the grains of the cured propellant and the casing in the region of the forward dome.

Abstract: An improved coupling (10) to be embedded in concrete (101) is described. The coupling includes multiple concentric rings (11c) on an outside wall (11a) of a tube (11) which aid in preventing leakage along the outside wall and which help in providing fire retardancy. The coupling includes a step form (14) having a regular diameter which aids in positioning the coupling using a template (105).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an arrangement for manufacturing a smoke emitting arrangement which generates a trace of smoke of predetermined color, red or other color, particularly adapted for use with a spin-stabilized projectile forming a distress or signal flare, and the colored smoke emitting arrangement obtained thereby. The process is characterized in that one obtains a smoke emitting composition by dry-mixing in a pulverulent state a sublimable coloring medium and a pyrotechnic carrier support composition; by distributing the coloring medium between the particles of the carrier support composition; and then placing the end-product (charge), so obtained, into a rigid, fluid-tight housing, which has an opening forming a nozzle oriented along an average predetermined direction, and by compressing the charge in in the interior of this housing in such a way that it is least compressed in the proximity of the nozzle.

Abstract: A charge formed of a mass of packed propellant is generally centered on an axis and is of radially generally uniformly and radially outwardly increasing density. This charge has a predetermined size and shape and is made by first filling particulate propellant into a chamber centered on an axis and defined by side walls extending at least generally parallel to the axis. This chamber is radially somewhat larger than the predetermined size and shape for the charge. At least some of the side walls are then displaced radially inward to reduce the volume of the chamber until the reduced chamber generally has the size and shape for the charge. The weight of the particulate propellant filled into the chamber is equal to the desired weight for the charge. The tail of a projectile is positioned in the chamber before filling the particulate propellant into the chamber. The projectile downwardly closes the chamber and can be raised after the mass is packed to push it up out of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a tunnel lining and a method of constructing the tunnel lining by aligning prestressed resilient lining panels of uniform thickness, such as plywood sheets, where longitudinal edges of the panels abut to form a ring. The longitudinal edges of the panel correspond to, and impose thrust against a second longitudinal edge of an adjacent panel. The thrust causes bending of the panels to form an arc about the longitudinal axis of the panels and to cause internal stresses within the ring to counteract loads applied at the exterior of the panels. The ring can consist of multiple layers of panels.

Abstract: A column form support system and method are set forth encasing steel in concrete. Included are support members which are affixed to the steel and extend outwardly therefrom. A concrete form is exerted about the steel, the support members being adjustable to bear against, and support and align the form relative to the steel. Concrete is poured into the form to encase the steel, the support members maintaining the proper alignment of the form. After the concrete has hardened, the form is disassembled.

Abstract: A method of bonding propellant to a rocket motor casing using the nitrene insertion reaction is disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement to the process of applying a rocket motor liner to an inside surface of a rocket motor casing by coating the casing with a rocket motor liner composition and then curing the liner composition. Typical rocket motor liner compositions include the product of a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer; a diisocyanate curing agent for forming urethane linkages with said prepolymer; a trifunctional aziridine bond promoter; a filler; and a curing catalyst comprising maleic anhydride, magnesium oxide, and triphenyl bismuth. This invention may use an alkaline carbon black filler and/or a curing catalyst which does not include magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A new and novel process for constructing longitudinal concrete members such as beams by providing a longitudinal sack like mold constructed from a pliable sheet or sheets having an open throat supported by an open rim frame in turn supported by a plurality of inverted "U" shaped supports spaced apart one from another while in a common straight alignment while the supports rest upon an equipment base. The concrete members being either removed from the sack like mold, or the member being a cast in place member with the mold acting as a casing or protective skin. The sack like mold being a hybrid sling because of being provided with a long under loop support on which the loop portion of the true sling rests.

Abstract: Concrete structures consist of fabric containers which are filled with concrete through an opening in the top thereof while the top of the container is suspended from a portable support frame placed over the container. The support frame supports the container in an open and upward position with the bottom wall of the container resting on the ground while concrete is pumped or chuted into the container through the top opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a concrete flush floor having at least one trough formed therein, the method making use of high chair units (14) that support a fiberglass mold (16) having a truncated teardrop-shaped cross section. The fiberglass mold (16) may be supported at an angle to provide a resulting sloping trough. A spacer (17) can be placed in the fiberglass mold (16) during the pouring process to urge the fiberglass mold (16) to assume a first shape. When the concrete has hardened, the spacer (17) can be forced to a second position that allows the fiberglass mold (16) to assume a second position, which second position allows the fiberglass mold (16) to be easily removed from the cast concrete.

Abstract: A face panel system for forming an exposed face on a fill structure employs a succession of precast reinforced concrete panels which act first as a restraining form and then as a permanent exposed face for the structure. In one embodiment, successively higher rows of panels are supported by strongbacks mounted to a lower row of panels and extending upward therefrom to act as temporary cantilevered supports for the next higher row. In this manner, horizontal forces exerted by the fill mass are transferred back to the mass. Another embodiment features an internal cantilever support structure embedded in the panels, which are coupled together with brackets extending therefrom.

Abstract: A liquid storage container, such as a swimming pool, has a vertical wall of flexible sheet material with its ends joined to make an endless loop the bottom part of which is inserted in an endless groove in a concrete foundation. The groove is formed by casting in the concrete an endless base strip, preferably metal, and a former strip of rubber or like material fitted about the base strip and extending above it, concrete within the bounds of the base strip being level with the top of the base strip, concrete outside the former strip being at the higher level of this strip which, when the concrete has set, is stripped away to leave the groove, the base strip forming its inside face, its higher outside face being a shoulder assisting the insertion of the wall bottom. A sealing strip is force-fitted between the inside face of the groove and the inserted bottom of the wall.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pool wall assembly including first and second pool wall panels and a brace supporting the panels. Structure is included for securing the brace to only the first panel so that the first panel and brace may be aligned together prior to the securement of the second panel. Structure is also included for securing the second panel to at least one of the first panel and the brace. An anchor assembly secures the brace in position. The anchor assembly includes a stake which extends through and slidingly engages the brace and a wedge, telescopically received in the stake, which can be moved with respect to the stake into forcible engagement with the brace to maintain the brace in position. Each panel includes an integral bead extending from the lower portion of its face to define the line to which the pool side wall overlap extends. Also disclosed is a method of erecting a pool wall using the structure disclosed.

Abstract: A blanket formed of heat and flame resistant materials and adapted to be placed adjacent to a structural part to isolate it thermally from other, adjacent structural parts. The blanket is comprised of a layer of insulation material coupled to a layer of fibrous material impregnated with a thermosetting resin. When the blanket is in a desired shape, the resin is cured to render the layer of fibrous material substantially rigid so it can support itself as well as the layer of insulating material coupled to it. Layers of a heat and fire resistant fabric such as glass fabric are placed on opposed sides of the layer of insulating material to keep the insulating material intact. In one application, the blanket is molded in the form of a box-like structure which can at least partially surround a structural part, such as an aircraft engine, to form a fireshield to isolate the engine from adjacent structural parts of an aircraft.

Abstract: A portable earth anchor and foundation pier is provided by a reinforced concrete casting around a steel skeleton comprising wheel axles, draw bar and earth penetrating tines. One embodiment of the invention has ground clearance from a bottom surface for wheel support in a first, transport position. The tines project from the top surface. When inverted for earth penetration by the tines, the transport wheels are positioned out of ground contact.

Abstract: A method of construction of concrete decks is described utilizing precast concrete panels to obtain such a deck having supporting beams that are rendered integral therewith and that provide thickened, haunched sections adjacent the supporting columns.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for the erection of structures, such as bridges, that display pre-fabricated concrete beams, according to which the individual pre-fabricated beams are produced, on the spot, on a feed rigging within the corresponding work area of the structure, in a heated and laterally tiltable form. After removal from the form, the thusly produced pre-fabricated beams are transferred sidewardly into their final position by means of gantry cranes. During concretizing of the individual pre-fabricated beams, flexure of the feed rigging carrying the form is equalized in continuous fashion, in correspondence with the progressing, concretizing process, by transfer pumping of ballast liquid.

Abstract: In a multiple-span bridge structure with side-by-side bridges, a scaffolding girder-formwork assembly is movable in the longitudinal direction of each bridge for constructing individual sections of the superstructure over support piers. After use on one bridge, the scaffolding girder-formwork assembly is movable to the other bridge by first rotating it about a vertical axis from the longitudinal direction of the bridge to the transverse direction while the assembly is centered over a pier of the one bridge. A support for the assembly is moved over a pier on the other bridge. Then the assembly is moved in the transverse direction until it is centered over the pier of the other bridge. Subsequently, the assembly is rotated into the longitudinal direction of the other bridge in position for constructing sections of the superstructure.

Abstract: A pollutant storage system that provides substantial wall strength with greatly reduced concrete mass. Reinforced concrete panels precast with a pattern of surface cavities and supported by precast reinforced concrete A-frames enclose a paved floor area.

Abstract: A method for building a reinforced concrete structure in which column frameworks and beam frameworks each having a novel structure are assembled at a building site, and thereafter concrete is placed within column sheathing boards and beam sheathing boards around the novel column frameworks and beam frameworks, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for forming in situ cast reinforced concrete slabs, with removable forms and incorporating the upper portion or chord of a joist as in integral reinforcing member. Relating to a method and device that allows adjustable thickness concrete slabs to be cast in place by means of adjustable hangers, which are particularly adapted to work together, with a bar or beam form support for temporary form-sheets, in a substantially leakproof manner in conjunction with the upper portion or chord of a standard open web bar joist.

Abstract: A form for supporting from below a layer of concrete during pouring and hardening has several square or rectangular panels having neighboring marginal portions with downwardly extending reinforcing skirts which are separably connected to each other by bolts. The panels rest on props which must be removed prior to separation of the panels from each other. In order to dismantle the form in the space below the hardened concrete layer, the props for one of the panels are removed and a dismantling device is separably coupled to a panel which is adjacent to the one panel. The dismantling device has a socket below the skirt of the one panel and the one panel is thereupon detached from the panel which carries the dismantling device so that the skirt of the one panel descends into the socket. The one panel is then pivoted with reference to the socketed part of the dismantling device so that its upper side moves away from the underside of the concrete layer.

Abstract: This invention is a reusable apparatus and method of using the apparatus for supporting decking and forms used in constructing a bridge, roadway or other elevated surface. The apparatus is easily attached to the load bearing beams and is readily adjustable to proper grade without the necessity of shims.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pad for concrete intended to appreciably reduce the setting time of concrete. This pad comprises an essentially water an air tight flexible cover enclosing a heat insulating cushion resting directly over a lower part intended to be laid in contact with the surface of concrete. This lower part is made up of ribbons woven together in the form of a network in such a manner as to have a good mechanical resistance to wear by friction and so as to create a zone between the heat insulating cushion and the surface of the concrete capable of allowing the excess water oozing through the concrete surface to flow only slowly away, thereby avoiding the need of water from an outside source, allowing also the heat resulting from the setting reaction of concrete to accumulate inside the interstices of said network thus to accelerate the setting of the concrete. This pad is particularly useful and efficient during the year's period of cold weather where the setting of concrete is particularly long.

Abstract: During positioning of the cylindrical, open ended, outer member relative to a point on a slab form, a cap member may be used to cover the top and support a location determining member. The length of the outer member is adjustable to the thickness of the concrete layer to be poured. A cylindrical inner member, with a closed bottom and an open top, is inserted into the outer member. As the concrete is poured, it is received in the inner member and forms the test core. After the concrete sets, the inner member is removed, resulting in a hole in the concrete. The cap member is alternatively adapted to close the bottom of the outer member, prior to mounting the outer member on the form, to permit the hole to be subsequently filled, if the form has been removed.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a slotted concrete vertical wall. A pair of vertically extending forms having vertically extending ridges are positioned on the final use site of the slotted wall. The ridges of one mold are positioned adjacent and aligned with the ridges of the second mold. A pair of forms are located outwardly and adjacent the molds with a plurality of ties extending through the ridges of the molds being secured to the forms connecting the molds and forms together as concrete is poured between and around the ridges. The forms and molds are removed once the concrete is solidified leaving the slotted concrete wall permanently in the position poured.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for forming or casting poured concrete walls involve form sections, tie bars for tying the form sections together in spaced-apart relation, which tie bars have opposed notches or cut-ins in opposite edges of the tie bars, or like areas or zones of weakness, so located that they are coincident with the interface between the form and the concrete therein, and a device which is adapted to fit over the end portions of the tie bars which are exposed when the form sections have been removed and which is adapted to apply force to the exposed end portion in the plane of the tie bar, one vector of which is applied to one narrow edge of the exposed end portion adjacent the zone of weakness and another like vector of which is applied in the opposite direction to the opposite narrow edge of the exposed end portion at a point remote from the zone of weakness and adjacent or near the free end of the exposed end portion.

Abstract: A mechanized trowel including a center body of an elongated configuration supported for rotational displacement about its longitudinal axis and having a helical troweling blade extending along the surface thereof adapted to engage, spread and trowel a body of cement in its plastic state, a supporting rail extended in parallelism with the center body supporting the center body for linear displacement therealong, and a truck supporting the end of the rail for translational displacement about a further axis perpendicularly related to the longitudinal axis of the center body and passing through the end thereof opposite the truck, and reversible, electrically energizable motors connected in driving relation with the center body for imparting thereto rotational, linear and translational displacement.

Abstract: A shuttering system and a method for its assembly, employing metal uprights which are arranged to face each other in pairs and have fixing means spaced along the uprights on their sides facing the casting cavity. Stringers are inserted in removable hooked coupling elements attached to the fixing means, and panels are attached to the stringers to form two opposing shuttering surfaces. The panels are fixed to the stringers by nails or the like which are driven into parts of the stringers made from a soft material such as wood.

Abstract: A method for forming a concrete floor as a monolithic unit is disclosed wherein wet concrete mix is deposited and screeded to achieve a generally uniform thickness of concrete with the aggregate being densified or settled to produce a thin upper layer formed substantially from sand and cement, thereafter floating the concrete to substantially remove surface irregularities, and then grinding the upper surface of the concrete floor after it is hardened to produce a flat surface having a "sanded" finish.

Abstract: A thermally-insulating, non-flammable, air-permeable insulation for installation in the field, for example, in closed cavities between the walls of a house. A multitude of individually preformed, foamed plastic particles are initially entrained in a carrier stream, and thereupon drenched with a settable film-forming, non-flammable, liquid substance, such as a sodium silicate solution. The liquid substance sets to form a film which covers and adheres the particles to one another to form a thermally-insulating dense structural aggregate mass having structural integrity, resistance to fire, and venting capability. A method of making and installing the insulation, and a preferred apparatus therefor, are disclosed.