Presented is a method of improving the incorporation of recycled bituminous products by using at least one surfactant as an alternative to the known rejuvenating oils, for the preparation of asphalt mixes containing recycled bituminous products. The use of such alternative surfactant(s) results in better mechanical properties of the asphalt mix, while using smaller amounts of fresh bitumen and greater amounts of recycled bituminous products.

An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

A method and system for strengthening and hardening unpaved surfaces is presented wherein a triglyceride composition is applied to an unpaved area. The composition is comprised of a homogenized mixture of one or more triglycerides, water, one or more surfactants, and, optionally, a catalyst. The triglycerides used in the composition are generally commercially-available oils and greases, such as naturally-derived oils that contain mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acid triglycerides, such as those found in used cooking oil. The surfactant acts as a stabilizing agent and also aids in the saturation of the unpaved surface during application. The catalyst facilitates the drying and hardening process. The unpaved surface is compacted with a heavy roller and/or a vibratory compactor and then coated with an application of the triglyceride composition. In alternate embodiments, the triglyceride mixture is applied before the unpaved surface is compacted.

A method and system for strengthening and hardening unpaved surfaces is presented wherein a triglyceride composition is applied to an unpaved area. The composition is comprised of a homogenized mixture of one or more triglycerides, water, one or more surfactants, and, optionally, a catalyst. The triglycerides used in the composition are generally commercially-available oils and greases, such as naturally-derived oils that contain mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acid triglycerides, such as those found in used cooking oil. The surfactant acts as a stabilizing agent and also aids in the saturation of the unpaved surface during application. The catalyst facilitates the drying and hardening process. The unpaved surface is compacted with a heavy roller and/or a vibratory compactor and then coated with an application of the triglyceride composition. In alternate embodiments, the triglyceride mixture is applied before the unpaved surface is compacted.

A bio-composite plastering material and a method of making the same are provided. The bio-composite plastering material includes a mixture of sand-silica, Abelmoschus esculentus powder, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The bio-composite plastering material has increased compressive strength depending upon the concentration of Abelmoschus esculentus powder and multi-walled carbon nanotubes used. The method of making the bio-composite plastering material includes sieving the sand-silica to produce sand-silica of a uniform particle size, mixing powdered Abelmoschus esculentus powder with the sand-silica to produce a first mixture, mixing water with the first mixture to produce the bio-composite plastering material, and enhancing the bio-composite material by adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The bio-composite plastering material may then be plaster cast, such as by pressing the bio-composite plastering material in a hot press and drying the resulting bio-composite material in an oven.

The present invention relates to transparent chips for artificial marble and artificial marble including the same. The transparent chips for artificial marble include (A) a halogenated epoxy acrylate resin and (B) metal fibers. The transparent chips are fabricated by adding metal fibers to a transparent resin. The transparent chips for artificial marble can implement both linear stripe patterns and three-dimensional effects inherent thereto, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The present invention relates to transparent chips for artificial marble and artificial marble including the same. The transparent chips for artificial marble include (A) a halogenated epoxy acrylate resin and (B) metal fibers. The transparent chips are fabricated by adding metal fibers to a transparent resin. The transparent chips for artificial marble can implement both linear stripe patterns and three-dimensional effects inherent thereto, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The present invention relates to a method of improving the incorporation of recycled bituminous products by using at least one surfactant as an alternative to the known rejuvenating oils, for the preparation of asphalt mixes containing recycled bituminous products. The use of such alternative surfactant(s) results in better mechanical properties of the asphalt mix, while using smaller amounts of fresh bitumen and greater amounts of recycled bituminous products.

Crumb Rubber augmented masonry blocks including cement, aggregate, water, and crumb rubber. Crumb rubber is extracted from scrape tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with aggregate, cement and water. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in the formation of conventional blocks, is replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free masonry block containing crumb rubber. The developed crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfied the ASTM non-load bearing requirements in addition to satisfying the water absorption test.