A railway tie being constructed of an engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material having: (1) a minimum of 2% tensile ductility of ECC, (2) complete absence of alkali-silica reaction (ASR), (3) high fatigue resistance of ECC at least five times that of normal concrete, (4) self-healing ability of ECC requiring only water and air, and (5) customization of ECC for lower stiffness in the tie (60% that of normal concrete) and higher abrasion resistance in the seat (three times that of normal concrete).

A railway tie being constructed of an engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material having: (1) a minimum of 2% tensile ductility of ECC, (2) complete absence of alkali-silica reaction (ASR), (3) high fatigue resistance of ECC at least five times that of normal concrete, (4) self-healing ability of ECC requiring only water and air, and (5) customization of ECC for lower stiffness in the tie (60% that of normal concrete) and higher abrasion resistance in the seat (three times that of normal concrete).

An insulation material formed of a composition, and a method of making an insulation material is provided. The composition forming the insulation material includes magnesium oxide; at least one of magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and hydrates thereof; water; a foaming agent; a thickener; and a foam stabilizer. The composition is foamed to promote aeration of the composition to reduce density of the insulation material formed from the composition.

An insulation material formed of a composition, and a method of making an insulation material is provided. The composition forming the insulation material includes magnesium oxide; at least one of magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and hydrates thereof; water; a foaming agent; a thickener; and a foam stabilizer. The composition is foamed to promote aeration of the composition to reduce density of the insulation material formed from the composition.

A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost. The use of industrial waste materials, such as crumb rubber, limestone powder and cement kiln dust, will lead to economic and environmental benefits.

A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost. The use of industrial waste materials, such as crumb rubber, limestone powder and cement kiln dust, will lead to economic and environmental benefits.

A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost. The use of industrial waste materials, such as crumb rubber, limestone powder and cement kiln dust, will lead to economic and environmental benefits.

A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost. The use of industrial waste materials, such as crumb rubber, limestone powder and cement kiln dust, will lead to economic and environmental benefits.

Compositions include an aerogel component and have low thermal conductivity. Methods for preparing slurries or composites include, for example combining the aerogel component with a surfactant, binder and other ingredients, such as, for instance, fibers. The compositions can be slurries that can be used in coating applications or self supporting rigid composites.

Compositions include an aerogel component and have low thermal conductivity. Methods for preparing slurries or composites include, for example combining the aerogel component with a surfactant, binder and other ingredients, such as, for instance, fibers. The compositions can be slurries that can be used in coating applications or self supporting rigid composites.