Cement-SCM blends employ particle packing principles to increase particle packing density and reduce interstitial spacing between the cement and SCM particles. Particle packing reduces the amount of water required to obtain a cement paste having a desired flow, lowers the water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm), and increases early and long-term strengths. This may be accomplished by providing a hydraulic cement fraction having a narrow PSD and at least one SCM fraction having a mean particle size that differs from the mean particle size of the narrow PSD cement by a multiple of 3.0 or more to yield a cement-SCM blend having a particle packing density of at least 57.0%.

A method for preparing a silane coupling agent/silica/plant fiber composite includes the following steps: S1: pretreating plant fiber; S2: preparing hydrolysate of a silane coupling agent; S3: preparing a silane coupling agent/plant fiber composite; S4: preparing a silica nanoparticle dispersion; and S5: preparing a silane coupling agent/silica nanoparticle/plant fiber composite. Through the covalent interaction among a silanol group (Si—OH) formed by hydrolysis of the silane coupling agent, Si—OH of the silica, and a hydroxyl group (—OH) on the surface of the plant fiber, the present invention enables silica nanoparticles to be grafted on the surface of the plant fiber. Using a hydrophobic film formed by the silane coupling agent, harmful ions are prevented from invading, and the volume stability of the fiber is improved. Using the pozzolanic activity of the silica nanoparticles, the alkalinity and calcium hydroxide content around the fiber are reduced.

The present invention discloses inorganic pelletized perlitic lightweight granules and a preparation process and use thereof. The present invention develops through encapsulation technology a novel type of lightweight particles, namely, inorganic pelletized perlitic lightweight granules comprising expanded perlite as a core material and a cementitious material as a shell material, forming a core-shell structure in which a perlite core is encapsulated in a cementitious shell. The cementitious material including cement and fly ash is coated onto the surface of expanded perlite particles through an encapsulation process by a pelletizer under controlled water spraying. The resulting inorganic pelletized perlitic lightweight granules are lower in cost and easier to produce, and have better fire resistance, higher crushing strength, and better compatibility with concrete. The inorganic pelletized perlitic lightweight granules can overcome the problems of conventional lightweight concrete, such as high water absorption and inconsistent performance.

The present invention relates to coloured fiber cement products as well as to methods for manufacturing such products. In particular, the present invention provides coloured fiber cement products, which fiber cement products are coloured in the mass, and at least comprise on at least part of their outer surface one or more cured layers of a coating composition, which composition at least comprises a binder and a pigment and/or a filler and is characterized by a pigment volume concentration (PVC) of between about 1% and about 20%. The present invention further provides processes for producing these coloured fiber cement products. Finally, the present invention provides uses of the coloured fiber cement products as building materials. In particular embodiments, the fiber cement products produced by the processes of the present invention can be used to provide an outer surface to walls, both internal as well as external, a building or construction, e.g. as fagade plate, siding, etc.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone, the method including: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and further comprising printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.

The present invention relates to an improved drywall finish and joint compound comprised of a mixture of fractured aluminum oxide, glass bead, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium aluminum phyllosilicate, aluminum silicate hydroxide, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, metamorphic mineral, sodium bicarbonate, silicon and aluminides, talc, kaolin, and metal oxide. The improved drywall finish and joint compound is capable of adhering to drywall, wood, concrete, brick, stone, steel, and other surfaces, and can be applied using a conventional trowel or similar device, cures quickly, and eliminates the need for taping and bedding. The compound saves extensive time and labor when installing, repairing, or working with drywall.

Methods of preparing engineered cementitious composite precursors include carbonating a fly ash comprising >about 25% by weight of calcium oxide (CaO) and having a water content of >about 12% to <about 18% by weight of water by exposing the fly ash to a first gas stream comprising carbon dioxide to form a carbonated fly ash. A steel slag is also carbonated that comprises >about 40% by weight of calcium oxide (CaO) and having a water content of >about 12% to <about 18% by weight of water by exposing the steel slag to a second gas stream comprising carbon dioxide to form a carbonated steel slag. The carbonated fly ash and the carbonated steel slag are suitable for use as engineered cementitious composite precursors in a bendable engineered cementitious composite composition that further comprises Portland cement, a polymeric fiber, and a superplasticizer.

A composite cementitious feedstock comprises discrete elements. Each discrete element includes mineral rock agglutinates having irregular surface regions and cavities. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) particles and cement particles are disposed on the irregular surface regions and in the cavities. A binder coheres the agglutinates, SAP particles, and cement particles.

A method is provided for producing a microfiber-reinforced high-strength concrete, comprising a cement matrix with a microfiber addition. The fiber elements have a shape-memory alloy. The method has at least the following steps: training a fiber shape of the fiber elements at a temperature above a transition temperature, wherein the fiber shape allows the fiber elements to latch; cooling the trained fiber elements; plastically deforming the fiber elements from the trained fiber shape into an intermediate form by means of which the fiber elements are prevented from latching; introducing the fiber elements into the cement matrix in order to form a fresh concrete; and casting the fresh concrete and heating the fresh concrete to the transition temperature such that the fiber elements reform into the fiber shape, thereby latching the fiber elements. The invention additionally relates to a microfiber-reinforced concrete which is produced using such a method.

A fireplace surround structure is disclosed. The fireplace surround structure includes a mantel portion, a first vertical leg portion and a second vertical leg portion. The first leg portion and the second leg portion extend downward from the mantel portion at opposite ends to form a unitary fireplace surround structure. Each leg portion has a skeletal bar frame with a plurality of bar portions defining a three sided generally rectangular structure. Each of the sides has a lightweight non-combustible board portion attached on the exterior of the frame. The fireplace surround structure is open to one side and mountable on a wall surface. Each board portion is cast from a mix of Portland cement, silica, and cellulose fibers, which are combined and sintered into a flat board structure.