Abstract: A reinforcing body and a method for its manufacturing. The reinforcing body has at least one reinforcing bar. Each reinforcing bar has a core with a peripheral surface at which a rib structure with at least one rib and at least one depression is provided. The core is formed by at least one first fiber strand embedded in a core matrix. For creating the at least one rib at least one second fiber strand is embedded into a rib matrix, wherein the at least one second fiber strand and the rib matrix are separated by at least one depression in a direction parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the reinforcing bar, such that the at least one second fiber strand is separated into fiber strand sections. The at least one first and the at least one second fiber strand have fibers of different materials.

Abstract: A method for forming cement-based cementitious material includes: pouring a cement paste into a mold; applying an electrical current to the cement paste to perform an electro-osmotic reaction; and transferring the reacted cement paste into a water tank for curing, thereby obtaining a functionally graded cement-based cementitious material. A pair of electrodes is placed in the mold and connected to an external power source. The compressive strength of the functionally graded cement-based cementitious material in the middle is lower than that at either of both ends.

Abstract: A barrier forming apparatus for forming a barrier between an exposed tunnel face (107) and a tunnel boring machine (100), the barrier being formed by the application to the tunnel face of a barrier mixture comprising two highly reactive first and second components. The barrier forming apparatus (10) includes a first reservoir (11) for storing the first component, a second reservoir (12) for storing the second component, and a plurality of applicators (13, 14 and 15). The barrier forming apparatus (10) also includes a third reservoir (56) that is used to store a clearing fluid and a piston flow divider (58) having an inlet (59) and three chambers having respective outlets, (61, 62 and 63) that are in fluid communication with a respective applicator (13, 14 and 15). The applicators are maintained in a state of readiness by a regular supply of clearing fluid passing there through.

Abstract: A problem is to provide a production method by which a high-strength concrete formed body can be obtained. The problem can be solved by a method for producing a concrete formed body including a defoaming step [1] of holding a concrete composition having a water-cement ratio adjusted to from 14 to 20%, in a reduced pressure atmosphere to obtain a defoamed concrete; a defoaming step [2] of holding a carbon fiber immersed in a cement solution having a water-cement ratio adjusted to 14% or more, in a reduced pressure atmosphere to obtain a defoamed fiber; and a forming step of placing the defoamed concrete and the defoamed fiber within a shuttering, followed by curing to obtain a high-strength concrete formed body.

Abstract: Novel decorative products including interior home decorative products, garden ornaments, building decorative products and the like are disclosed in which the novel decorative products are characterized in having rigid shells of compacted fiber reinforced magnesium oxychloride composite, seam lines of below two millimeters and cores of which densities can be adjusted according to the preferred weight of the products during the product design stage. The aforesaid compacted fiber reinforced magnesium oxychloride composite is characterized in having compacted structures of F-5 MOC phase magnesium oxychloride. A method for producing the novel decorative products is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a concrete apparatus with incorporated lifter are provided. A concrete apparatus is formed by placing a reinforcement system in a mold. The reinforcement system comprises a lifter. Concrete is poured into the mold such that the lifter protrudes from the poured concrete. After the concrete has hardened and the mold is removed, the lifter is used to carry and position the concrete apparatus. After the concrete apparatus is positioned, the lifter is removed at the circumference of the concrete apparatus leaving no holes, thereby eliminating water leakage due to lifting methods.

Abstract: Fresh concrete is treated with carbon dioxide prior to delivery to a product mold for forming concrete products. Carbon dioxide gas is directed through a manifold, which may be coupled to a feedbox or a hopper, upstream from the product mold. Treating the fresh concrete with the carbon dioxide gas while it is in a loose state prior to placement in the product mold may generally promote uniform and enhanced carbon dioxide uptake.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming concrete. In some embodiments the method includes conveying water vapor through cement powder. The cement powder can be hydrated such that a crystalline structure is formed. The concrete formed by the methods disclosed herein can possess advantageous physical properties such as increased strength, hardness, lower cost, lower processing times, etc.

Abstract: A method of producing gypsum building board, in which there is added, to an aqueous gypsum slurry containing a water swellable clay, a basic water-soluble polymer having preferential affinity for clay. The slurry is allowed to set so as to form a board. The basic water-soluble polymer may be, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol or a polymer consisting essentially of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen and having amine groups (which may be primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary) in the polymer backbone and/or in side chains thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials, and methods for creating materials, that does not require heat to create a functional construction material. One purpose of the materials and methods disclosed herein is, at least, to provide industries, such as the construction industry, with a product that significantly reduces the generation of carbon dioxide during production, unlike Portland Cement and typical geopolymer cements. Further, another advantage of the invention is that it utilizes basic processes and materials that may be incorporated into existing production facilities and methodologies. A further purpose is to increase the quality of the product by reducing damage from, for example, exposures to adverse climatic conditions (such as extreme or variable weather), or damaging chemicals such as chlorides, sulfates, acids, or the like.

Abstract: A ceramic filter comprising: (a) from about 75% to about 95% by weight of diatomaceous earth; (b) from about 10% to about 20% by weight of a flux; and (c) from about 0.03% to about 0.4% by weight of a metallic compound; the percentages by weight being percentages by weight of the ceramic filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hyper-fine cement, in which cement is wet milled in a nonaqueous solvent, if appropriate in the presence of a grinding aid, as a result of which a hyper-fine cement having a particle size D50 of <1 ?m is obtained. The hyper-fine cement is suitable for sealing or strengthening porous molded articles, rock or porous formations, in particular for the gastight sealing of natural gas reservoirs and also for making polymer materials or components composed of pressed textiles or natural fibers fire resistant.

Abstract: A method for cutting a slab of material including cutting the slab with a cutting tool vibrating at a preselected frequency when the material is in a semi-set state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement mortar body (2) made up of an aggregate (4) with silica content of around 99.5% which is formed by particles with a rounded surface and particle size between 0.1 and 1 mm The existing interstices of the body are filled with an ettringite binder (6) derived from hydrating cement particles (5) with particle size of around 5 microns, and with the actual cement particles (5), perfectly hydrated. The body (2) can include microparticles (7) and colloidal materials in the interstices formed between the particles of aggregate (4), the ettringite binder (6) and the cement particles (5). The interstices created between the particles of aggregate (4), the cement particles (5) with ettringite binder (6), the microparticles (7) and the colloidal materials can include nanoparticles (8). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said mortar body.

Abstract: A building material which comprises cement, cellulose fibers and admixtures is used in the fabrication of bricks, panels or other building products. The manufacture of this building material is accomplished by adding water, paper, a water repellant composed of calcium stearate, and a sodium silicate to act as a fire retardant material. The mixture is then thickened with cement and a second batch of concrete admixtures including a superplasticizer composed of a polyester polyacrylic polyol and an air entraining resin or surfactant to create an air entrained, viscous material for inserting in a mold or extruding through a press to form load bearing and insulating building materials. The resulting product can be formed into blocks or panels and the panels can be coated with polyurethane/polyurea coating to be bullet and blast resistant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new monomer and methods of using the monomer to fabricate robust polymer surface coatings with controlled thicknesses between 1 and 5 nanometers. The coatings are composed of a new material containing polymerized monomers of 4-vinylbenzenepropanethiol. The polymer surface coating may be applied to metal and silicon. The method includes exposing a metal substrate to a solution of the monomer in hexanes in order to deposit a monolayer of the monomer onto the metal surface. The substrate is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in order to graft a thin polymer coating onto the surface. The procedure can be repeated in order to control the thickness of the coating between about 1 nm and 5 nm. Alternatively, thermally initiated polymerization or deposition of partially oligomerized monomers onto the surface provides nanothin coatings with identical performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preparing a heat resistance accelerator (HRA) slurry. Also provided are methods and systems for introducing a HRA slurry to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.

Abstract: A method of controlling the cure of concrete structures using intralaminar heat generated by applying electrical energy to electrically conductive members disposed within the structures. These conductive members include carbon fibers. The method further incorporates the electrically conductive, members as internal reinforcement in the cured, finished structure reducing or obviating the need for reinforcing steel. The electrically conductive, members are provided in various forms including but not limited to, pliable forms impregnated with a polymer resin matrix capable of being rigidified and completely rigidified forms. The invention may be used in conjunction with heat responsive agents to activate curing. A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is a controlled (expedited or heat activated) cure of a concrete structure. Concrete structures containing the electrical heating capability taught herein are also included within the invention.

Abstract: A method of making a plugged honeycomb structure includes providing a honeycomb structure having a first end face and a second end face and an array of cells extending between the first end face and the second end face. The method includes bringing a first mask into contact with the first end face and injecting a plugging medium through the first flexible mask into at least some of the cells at the first end face. The method further includes removing the mask from the first end face, followed by contacting the first end face with a heated first solid body, wherein the plugging medium in the first end face is heated.

Abstract: A building material which comprises cement, cellulose fibers and admixtures is used in the fabrication of bricks, panels or other building products. The manufacture of this building material is accomplished by adding water, paper, a water repellant composed of calcium stearate, and a sodium silicate to act as a fire retardant material. The mixture is then thickened with cement and a second batch of concrete admixtures including a superplasticizer composed of a polyester polyacrylic polyol and an air entraining resin or surfactant to create an air entrained, viscous material for inserting in a mold or extruding through a press to form load bearing and insulating building materials. The resulting product can be formed into blocks or panels and the panels can be coated with polyurethane/polyurea coating to be bullet and blast resistant.

Abstract: A drying apparatus including a conveying member configured to convey an item to be dried, a plurality of microwave irradiation portions disposed alternately at an upper side and a lower side of the conveying member, and a plurality of hot air blowing portions. The microwave irradiation portions are configured to irradiate the item to be dried with microwaves in an alternating manner from the upper side and the lower side. The hot air blowing portions are configured to apply hot air to the item to be dried in parallel with irradiation of the microwaves by the microwave irradiation portions.

Abstract: A magnetic blockout assembly including a concrete barrier element having a front side, a back side and a cavity in the front side, at least one magnet embedded within the back side of the concrete barrier element, and a flange connector having an engagement surface sized and shaped to fit within the cavity of the concrete barrier element, so that the concrete barrier element may be coupled to the flange connector to position the flange connector in a predetermined location and protect a surface of the flange connector from concrete and other foreign substances.

Abstract: A thermoplastic water-curable composition which is excellent in mechanical properties, heat resistance, dimensional stability, and moldability and from which a mechanical part of a complicated shape can be produced: a molding formed from the thermoplastic water-curable composition; and a process for producing the molding. The thermoplastic water-curable composition comprises: a thermoplastic resin which upon contact with water undergoes a cross-linking reaction and thus comes to have a high molecular weight, desirably one having silane groups in inner parts thereof and a water-curable composition, the amount of water-curable composition being desirably 200 to 700 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the resin The molding is formed from the thermoplastic water-curable composition. The process comprises molding the thermoplastic water-curable composition into a given shape and then bringing the molding into contact with water to age and cure it.

Abstract: A body (5) of set, initially pasty material, such as concrete, includes an electrically conducting path formed by a concentrated layer (6) of electrically conducting magnetizable elements, such as fibers (F) or granules (G), embedded in the initially pasty material and extending through at least a portion of the body (5). Electrically conducting terminal members (9) may be connected to the electrically conducting layer (6) at spaced-apart positions along the layer (6). A method of providing such a body (5) includes the steps of: (a) forming a body of the pasty material in which electrically conducting magnetizable elements (F) are dispersed, (b) applying a magnetic field to the body of pasty material to form from the magnetizable elements an electrically conducting layer embedded in the body of pasty material and extending at least through a portion the body (5), and (c) causing the body of pasty material containing the layer (6) to set.

Abstract: A method of finishing concrete using a vibrating tool to consolidate a “dry shake” aggregate into the upper layer of the concrete. The use of the vibrating tool causes moisture within the concrete mass to migrate into the surface layer where the moisture may hydrate the aggregates in the dry shake mixture. The ability to cause upward migration of water in the concrete mass provides a larger window of finishability for the concrete. The vibrations also provide thorough consolidation of aggregates in the upper layer of the concrete mass helping to prevent delamination.

Abstract: Magnetizable fibers dispersed in a viscous body, particularly reinforcing metal fibers dispersed in a wet cementitious material, is carried out by providing a fiber aligning member (15) having a nonmagnetic wall (17) including a first wall portion (17A) and a second wall portion (17B), moving the aligning member (15) relative to the viscous body with the first wall portion (17A) leading and the second portion (17B) trailing it and with the first and second wall portions (17A, 17B) contacting the viscous body, and directing a magnetic field into the viscous body through the first wall portion (17A) to subject the fibers (F) to a moving magnetic field.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids including some hydrated materials can be converted by controlled irradiation with subinfrared electromagnetic radiation into a unitary porous solid that is mechanically strong enough for easy handling. When the particulate solids include typical mildly acid to alkaline cleaner materials, a block or tablet especially suitable for automatic cleaning machinery, with a very fast dissolution rate in water, can readily be obtained.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly forming a cementitious panel. A cementitious mixture is introduced into a mold configured to provide the desired surface appearance and profile of the cementitious panel. The cementitious mixture is then subject to an accelerated curing process by applying microwave energy to the cementitious mixture for a predetermined time period. After a relatively short resting or cooling period, the resulting cementitious panel is ready to be removed from the mold.

Abstract: A method for producing shaped bodies of particulate material by introducing an easily flowable slurry of water and particulate material into a mold with perforated walls and by applying a sufficiently high pressure to the slurry in the mold so as to express a sufficient proportion of the liquid to allow physical contact and interengagement between the particles. The method may be carried out continuously in an extrusion process including introducing the slurry under high pressure into a extruder and conveying the slurry through a shaping section of the extruder to a draining and consolidation section of the extruder with drain holes and slits whereby a non-flowable, consolidated, shaped body leaves the extruder through an exit section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing tubular molded products from molding material includes a mold casing and a mold core having a common longitudinal central axis which is vertically disposed. The mold casing and mold core are spaced from one another to define a molding space therebetween. A supply device supplies molding material from above the molding space into the molding space. Treatment apparatus is disposed at treatment zones on the mold core for treating the molding material in the molding space, the treatment including treating the molding material by shaking the molding material or treating the molding material by heating the molding material, or both.

Abstract: An inorganic binder and a dissolving agent are put into ceramic powder. They are mixed to form a plastic green mixture. Then the said mixture is formed into a thin green layer. Preferably, this thin green layer will be preheated and dried such that the thin green layer will be hardened due to the bonding effect of the inorganic binder. A portion of the thin green layer exposed under a directed high-energy beam is sintered, preferably by a laser beam, to cause ceramic molecules to bond together locally due to heat fusion. By controlling the scanning path of the high-energy beam, a two-dimensional thin cross section of the ceramic part in arbitrary form can be produced. A second thin ceramic layer can be built onto the first thin ceramic layer and bonded to it by the same method. After multiple repetitions of this procedure a three dimensional ceramic part can be fabricated layer upon layer. The green portion, which is not scanned by the high-energy beam, will be removed with suitable method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing inorganic porous materials, mainly composed of glass or glass-ceramic components. The glass or glass-ceramic components can have interconnected continuous macropores with a median diameter larger than 0.1 &mgr;m, and mesopores in the walls of said macropores, said mesopores having a median diameter between 2 and 100 nm. The process can include dissolving a water-soluble polymer or some other pore forming agent and a precursor for a matrix dissolving agent in a medium for mixing with a metalorganic compound.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reinforced cementitious columnar structure comprising: (a) providing a mold having a cavity which corresponds to a shape and size of the columnar structure; (b) filling the cavity with dry coarse particulates to form a formed dry body comprising 50-90 volume percent coarse particulates having a particle size between about 1 and 60 mm so as to form a core volume; (c) introducing a slurry of cementitious material containing an amount of fine material which has been determined beforehand, the fine material having a particle size smaller than the size of interstitial voids of the coarse particulates into the core volume, the fine material and the cementitious material filling the core volume and the cementitious material infiltirating and encapsulating the coarse particulates, and the fine material remaining within the core volume; (d) curing the slurry of cementitious material to form the reinforced cementitious columnar structure; and (e) separating the mold from the reinforced ceme

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids including some hydrated materials can be converted by controlled irradiation with subinfrared electromagnetic radiation into a unitary porous solid that is mechanically strong enough for easy handling. When the particulate solids include typical acid to alkaline cleaner materials, a block or tablet especially suitable for automatic cleaning machinery, with a very fast dissolution rate in water, can readily be obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of inhibiting alkali-silica or alkali-aggregate reactions (AAR/ASR) in concrete structures by introducing lithium compounds or the like in conjunction with conventional techniques for the treatment of steel reinforcement corrosion.It is also proposed to provide lithium compounds in repair concretes, grouts or mortars and use the difference in concentration between the article under repair and the repair material to introduce the lithium ions into the concrete under repair, once again inhibiting AAR/ASR reactions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for readily and economically manufacturing hydraulically settable articles, particularly containers, from microstructurally engineered hydraulically settable mixtures. The mixture is pressed between a male die of a desired shape and a female die having a substantially complimentary configuration of the male die shape to immediately fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. To assist in imparting form stability, the dies can be heated or cooled. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the dies and dried under heated air to gain strength. The article can then receive printing or a coating, if desired, prior to packaging, shipping, and use.

Abstract: A central supervisor controls a manufacturing process fabricating fibrous, cementitious structural products requiring very small dimensional tolerance, high strengths, controlled reinforcement alignments, multiple undercuts, and complex shapes not possible using casting, forming, or extrusion. The process uses electrical and magnetic fields to align and direct free floating, cement coated, magnetic, and nonmagnetic fibers, filaments, and elongated fragmented particles onto moving shaping devices. These devices have magnetized shaping tool surfaces to receive aligned materials in layers parallel, perpendicular, and angular to shaping surfaces. Controlled materials, cement, setting agents, magnetic fluxes, and electrical charges make possible better bonding of cements with materials and consolidation of nonplastic matrices. Sliding, and rotating shaping tools make multiple undercuts on faces and edges of the products.

Abstract: A lightweight cement block and a method of producing the lightweight cement block, comprising the steps of mixing three parts by volume sawdust with water to form a first mixture having a relative moisture content in the range of 40% to 44%; adding one part by volume sand to the first mixture to form a second mixture; mixing the second mixture with water until the relative moisture content of the second mixture is in the range of 40% to 44%; adding one part by volume cement to the second mixture to form a third mixture; mixing the third mixture with water until the relative moisture content is in the range of 40% to 44%; forming the third mixture into a block. The resultant block comprises sawdust in the range of 30% to 70% by volume, sand in the range of 10% to 40% by volume and cement in the range of 10% to 40% by volume.