A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clayey soil comprising expansive clay mineral(s) at a proportion of the total weight of the expansive clayey soil (P.sub.ECM). The method includes (a) calculating a first amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clayey soil to form a first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil with a reduced swell potential no greater than a pre-set level T with a nano-level constitutive modeling based on the water content and the CEC of the expansive clayey soil and P.sub.ECM. The swelling reduction agent is at least one selected from calcite, gypsum, potassium chloride, a composition comprising exchangeable K.sup.+, a composition comprising exchangeable Ca.sup.2+, and/or a composition comprising exchangeable Mg.sup.2+, and (b) incorporating the first amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clayey soil to form the first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clayey soil comprising expansive clay mineral(s) at a proportion of the total weight of the expansive clayey soil (P.sub.ECM). The method includes (a) calculating a first amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clayey soil to form a first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil with a reduced swell potential no greater than a pre-set level T with a nano-level constitutive modeling based on the water content and the CEC of the expansive clayey soil and P.sub.ECM. The swelling reduction agent is at least one selected from calcite, gypsum, potassium chloride, a composition comprising exchangeable K.sup.+, a composition comprising exchangeable Ca.sup.2+, and/or a composition comprising exchangeable Mg.sup.2+, and (b) incorporating the first amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clayey soil to form the first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

Concrete wall supports that reduce or eliminate wall movement due to exterior horizontal forces. One support is a bracket mounted to a floor joist with a plate extending below the top of the wall and two legs extending from the plate and attaching to the joist. One leg is above the concrete wall on one horizontal side of the plate, and the other leg is on the opposite side of the plate. Another support has a plate that extends below the top of the wall with two legs on opposite sides of the joist above the wall. A leg attaches to the lower edge of the joist. A support against shear forces includes a highly water permeable aggregate composite disposed in the voids of the wall, with a supportive strip that is enclosed in the aggregate composite and extends out of the voids to the face of the wall.

Concrete wall supports that reduce or eliminate wall movement due to exterior horizontal forces. One support is a bracket mounted to a floor joist with a plate extending below the top of the wall and two legs extending from the plate and attaching to the joist. One leg is above the concrete wall on one horizontal side of the plate, and the other leg is on the opposite side of the plate. Another support has a plate that extends below the top of the wall with two legs on opposite sides of the joist above the wall. A leg attaches to the lower edge of the joist. A support against shear forces includes a highly water permeable aggregate composite disposed in the voids of the wall, with a supportive strip that is enclosed in the aggregate composite and extends out of the voids to the face of the wall.

A method of reducing propagation of cracks in concrete includes placing at least one curved panel in an area into which concrete is to be poured such that a bottom surface of the at least one curved panel directly contacts a first surface of the area. The method further includes pouring the concrete onto the first surface of the area such that the concrete directly contacts a concave surface and a convex surface of the at least one curved panel. The concave surface and the convex surface project in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The method further includes ceasing to pour the concrete when substantially an entirety of the convex surface and substantially an entirety of the concave surface of the at least one curved panel are in direct contact with the concrete.

A method of reducing propagation of cracks in concrete includes placing at least one curved panel in an area into which concrete is to be poured such that a bottom surface of the at least one curved panel directly contacts a first surface of the area. The method further includes pouring the concrete onto the first surface of the area such that the concrete directly contacts a concave surface and a convex surface of the at least one curved panel. The concave surface and the convex surface project in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The method further includes ceasing to pour the concrete when substantially an entirety of the convex surface and substantially an entirety of the concave surface of the at least one curved panel are in direct contact with the concrete.

A dual lap high strength adhesive for sheet membrane application, having reflectivity granular particle layer to fully bond to concrete/shotcrete, and a method of making, and using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a below grade, blind side, waterproofing sheet membrane with an inventive high strength adhesive, and having at least one layer of reflectivity granular particle layer that are partly embedded into the adhesive layer, and where the average reflectivity of the exposed granular particles is below 55 percent reflectivity on a standard reflectivity scale. The innovative reflectivity granular particle layer system that is securely bonded to concrete or shotcrete can be used along a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or along any structure which requires water or moisture proofing. The inventive high strength adhesive is along at least one edge of the sheet membrane, and could also be used to embed the reflectivity granular particle.

A self-repairing and self-sealing waterproof membrane, for insulating built structures subjected to hydrostatic pressure, includes a first layer of hermetic polymeric material, which covers a second layer of water-expanding polymeric material, in which additives of polymeric and/or mineral origin are added, arranged in contact with the concrete surface of the structure. The second layer includes a plurality of sublayers which are contiguous and have different expanding actions and mechanical characteristics. The membrane has substantially the shape of a continuous flat sheet, which gives the membrane the appearance of a uniform film, having a thickness between 0.2 and 5.0 mm and being composed of one or more of the following polymers: TPE, TPO, TPU, EVA, EPDM, EPM, HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, PE, PVC and other elastomeric or polymeric polymers, containing optional additions of fillers and other ingredients to give the article the necessary requirements of workability, mechanical strength, and durability.