Light-weight, fire-resistant mineral foam includes an inorganic cementitious matrix and at least one metal hydrate that is a super hydrate substance, in which water is present with the substance in an amount of at least about ten moieties of water of hydration per formula unit of the substance. As a cured solid, that mineral foam, or another mineral foam composition including an inorganic cementitious matrix, can be provided as a structural member in part of an assembly that has at least one open web, thermally insulating support member at least partially embedded in the cured solid. Also, the cured mineral foam may be a solid foam in a form of a panel, panel block or tile, which may have a tongue provision and/or a groove provision.

The invention relates to improved non-efflorescing cement-free and water-dispersible powder building material compositions comprising a homopolymer or copolymer as binder, useful for the preparation of wet formulations of plasters grouts, waterproofing coatings or mortars for the construction and the civil engineering industry. The binder is obtained by spray-drying or lyophilization of a dispersion containing a polymer and a protective colloid. These compositions also comprise a deprotection agent and a specific adsorbent filler. The invention also refers to the methods of preparation of these dry compositions and wet formulations, the application of these latter onto the surface of buildings or civil engineering works, the so obtained coatings as well as the so coated elements. The hardened products obtained therefrom are remarkably water-resistant, non efflorescent and easy to obtain.

The invention relates to improved non-efflorescing cement-free and water-dispersible powder building material compositions comprising a homopolymer or copolymer as binder, useful for the preparation of wet formulations of plasters grouts, waterproofing coatings or mortars for the construction and the civil engineering industry. The binder is obtained by spray-drying or lyophilization of a dispersion containing a polymer and a protective colloid. These compositions also comprise a deprotection agent and a specific adsorbent filler. The invention also refers to the methods of preparation of these dry compositions and wet formulations, the application of these latter onto the surface of buildings or civil engineering works, the so obtained coatings as well as the so coated elements. The hardened products obtained therefrom are remarkably water-resistant, non efflorescent and easy to obtain.

A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises: injecting into the wellbore a cementing composition comprising: a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized carbon; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber; a cementitious material; an aggregate; and an aqueous carrier.

A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises: injecting into the wellbore a cementing composition comprising: a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized carbon; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber; a cementitious material; an aggregate; and an aqueous carrier.

To provide a prestressed concrete which can be used for non-primary structural members such as general building members by using a chemical stress induced by an expansive material and a mechanical stress induced by a rust-resistant wire together and achieving reduction in weight and suppression of cracking. A prestressed concrete for non-primary structural members is characterized in that a mechanical stress induced by a tensional material and a chemical stress induced by an expansive material for a concrete are introduced and that the tensional material is a rust-resistant continuous fiber reinforcing wire.

To provide a prestressed concrete which can be used for non-primary structural members such as general building members by using a chemical stress induced by an expansive material and a mechanical stress induced by a rust-resistant wire together and achieving reduction in weight and suppression of cracking. A prestressed concrete for non-primary structural members is characterized in that a mechanical stress induced by a tensional material and a chemical stress induced by an expansive material for a concrete are introduced and that the tensional material is a rust-resistant continuous fiber reinforcing wire.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A cover material for a bulk material pile and method for applying the cover material are disclosed. The cover composition is free of fiber, clay, cement and pozzolanic material and comprises: 95 to 99.75 percent by weight water, 0.25 to 5 percent by weight of a water dispersible cellulosic polymer; and sufficient acid to maintain the pH of the solution between 1.0 and 6.0. The method for applying the cover material includes: providing the cover composition, which contains 95 to 99.75 percent by weight water, 0.25 to 5 percent by weight of a water dispersible cellulosic polymer; and sufficient acid to maintain the pH of the solution between 1.0 and 6.0; applying the cover composition onto a bulk material pile; and allowing the composition to harden to provide a cover to at least a portion of the bulk material pile.