A lightweight composite concrete cover is provided for subgrade trenches and vaults. The lightweight cover comprises at least one low density layer that has a low density filler material such as polyethylene terephthalate beads. The low density layer substantially reduces the overall weight of the cover, and the remaining layers provide sufficient structure for the cover to pass rigorous load and chemical exposure testing. In addition, a method of manufacturing a lightweight cover is provided that promotes the combination of different layers of the cover and the cross linking of polymer chains between layers of the cover. The lightweight cover has substantial weight savings and also meets rigorous testing standards such that a worker can manually remove the cover, transportation costs are realized, and worker safety is improved.

A method of making a composition material comparable to strength with regular concrete but with a lower weight and thermal conductivity is provided. The process includes forming a first composition from a foam admixture of a first cementitious slurry and foam. This first composition is set and then pulverized to a fine dust. The fine dust is then added to a second cementitious slurry, producing a lightweight and insulative composition material for construction applications.

A method of making a composition material comparable to strength with regular concrete but with a lower weight and thermal conductivity is provided. The process includes forming a first composition from a foam admixture of a first cementitious slurry and foam. This first composition is set and then pulverized to a fine dust. The fine dust is then added to a second cementitious slurry, producing a lightweight and insulative composition material for construction applications.

The present invention relates hydrophobized fiber cement products and methods for the production thereof as well as uses of such products, in particular in the building industry. In particular, the present invention provides hydrophobized fiber cement product, comprising a fiber cementitious matrix and a hydrophobizing agent uniformly dispersed therein, wherein said hydrophobizing agent comprises at least one hydrophobic silicone resin having a three-dimensional molecular network structure. The present invention further provides processes for producing a hydrophobized fiber cement product with enhanced water impermeability, wherein said process comprises at least the steps of: a) admixing an inorganic curable cementitious matrix with a hydrophobizing agent to form a curable mixture, wherein said hydrophobizing agent comprises at least one hydrophobic silicone resin having a three-dimensional molecular network structure, b) transforming the curable mixture into a shaped body; and c) curing the curable mixture to form a uniformly hydrophobized fiber cement product.

The present invention relates hydrophobized fiber cement products and methods for the production thereof as well as uses of such products, in particular in the building industry. In particular, the present invention provides hydrophobized fiber cement product, comprising a fiber cementitious matrix and a hydrophobizing agent uniformly dispersed therein, wherein said hydrophobizing agent comprises at least one hydrophobic silicone resin having a three-dimensional molecular network structure. The present invention further provides processes for producing a hydrophobized fiber cement product with enhanced water impermeability, wherein said process comprises at least the steps of: a) admixing an inorganic curable cementitious matrix with a hydrophobizing agent to form a curable mixture, wherein said hydrophobizing agent comprises at least one hydrophobic silicone resin having a three-dimensional molecular network structure, b) transforming the curable mixture into a shaped body; and c) curing the curable mixture to form a uniformly hydrophobized fiber cement product.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive (DRA) that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. More specifically, this dust reduction additive is of sufficiently lighter shade to not impact the shade of the joint compound upon addition. In one embodiment, this invention relates to a non-foaming dust reduction additive that comprises paraffin and/or micro-crystalline wax-based emulsion.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive (DRA) that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. More specifically, this dust reduction additive is of sufficiently lighter shade to not impact the shade of the joint compound upon addition. In one embodiment, this invention relates to a non-foaming dust reduction additive that comprises paraffin and/or micro-crystalline wax-based emulsion.

Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (CCR) mixed with water and a binder to form a structural material, and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses are described, including compressed air storage facilities and a pumped hydroelectric facility, including such a facility adapted for use with a lock system of a waterway.

The present invention relates to a mortar with a composition comprising the following components expressed in percentage by weight: 65-69% calcium sulphate; 28-33% water; and 0.01-0.1% polycarboxylic acid-based setting control additive. The invention also relates to a construction material with a composition that consists of a mortar mixture such as the aforementioned mixture and a granular material selected from among ethyl vinyl acetate, cork or marble powder. According to the invention, the construction material can be used to produce construction parts, blocks or panels, and the parts produced with said construction material can be attached to each other and/or coated with the mortar.

Heat-expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic resin shell and a thermally-vaporizable blowing agent encapsulated therein. The thermoplastic resin is produced by polymerizing a polymerizable component containing (A) a nitrile monomer including acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile, (B) a carboxyl-group-containing monomer, and (C) a monomer copolymerizable with the nitrile monomer (A) and the carboxyl-group-containing monomer (B). Further, the amount of the acrylonitrile in the nitrile monomer (A) ranges from 0.1 to 9 wt % based on the nitrile monomer (A). Also disclosed are hollow particles manufactured by heating and expanding the heat-expandable microspheres; a composition containing a base compound and at least one particulate material selected from the heat-expandable microspheres and the hollow particles; and a formed product manufactured by molding or applying a coat of the composition.