The present invention relates to fiber cement products comprising a first layer, which first layer is covered by at least one second layer, characterized in that said first layer is the top layer and the first layer material has a density of between about 0.4 and about 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises cement and between 1 wt % and 70 wt % (relative to the total dry weight of said first layer material) of a lightweight filler, and said at least one second layer is the bottom layer and covers only one of the main surfaces of the first layer, thereby forming a bi-layered fiber cement product, wherein the second layer material has a density of between about 0.9 and about 1.4 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises fibers and cement.

The invention relates to a receiving structure (1) which is intended for casting into a matrix material and has at least one receiving element (4), which projects out of the receiving structure (1) in such a way that it can project into the matrix material. According to the invention, the receiving element (4) has in its interior a receiving space (6) which has an opening (10) facing the surface (94) of the component (90), through which opening (10) a functional module (60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88) can be guided for insertion into the receiving space (6), wherein the receiving space (6) is universally designed for receiving and connecting each of the functional modules (60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 89), wherein at least one position-securing element (40) is provided for securing the position of reinforcement (96) and substantially predetermines the outer shape of the component (90).

The invention further relates to a component (90) comprising a textile reinforcement (96), a matrix material, and conduits (16) for the passage of electricity and/or fluids. According to the invention, a receiving structure (1) comprising receiving elements (4) is embedded in the matrix material and is connected to the textile reinforcement (96) and/or the conduits (16) via position-securing elements (40), wherein the textile reinforcement (96) is aligned in a load-dependent manner with respect to the receiving elements (4), and the receiving elements (4) of the receiving structure (1) are designed in such a way that an influence on the load-bearing behavior of the produced component (90) is minimized.

The invention also relates to a method of producing a device with the receiving structure (1).

A macro-synthetic fiber includes three or more partially fused filaments made of a polymer composition including at least one polypropylene, wherein the fiber has a multi-lobal cross-sectional shape with three or more lobes. A method produces macro-synthetic fibers, a cementitious material includes a binder and macro-synthetic fibers, and a method for forming a concrete surface uses a concrete mixture modified with the macro-synthetic fibers.

Connector for connecting rebar intersections of a foldable FRP rebar cage includes two channels for receiving the intersecting FRP rebar. One channel has a spherical member and the other has arms shaped to hold the spherical member, to allow the connected rebar to rotate in the X, Y and Z axes.

The present invention relates to a polymer composition for forming fibers for reinforcement of cement-based composites, polymer fibers made from the composition and methods of making the polymer fibers. The polymer composition comprises an olefin polymer and a bonding agent comprising vinyl alcohol based polymer, a pozzolanic material or a combination thereof.

Various embodiments provide a functionally reinforced concrete slab including a concrete substrate having a first substrate area with a first reinforcement level and a second substrate area having a different second reinforcement level. The functionally reinforced concrete slab further includes a concrete substrate reinforcement apparatus enclosed within the concrete substrate. The concrete substrate reinforcement apparatus is positioned based on the first substrate area and the second substrate area to provide a non-uniform reinforcement of the concrete substrate.

A textile reinforcement for integrating into concrete, having carbon fibers. The reinforcement is coated with a layer which protects against oxidation, wherein the carbon fibers are provided in the form of an interlaced, twisted, or cabled thread structure and have 5 wt. % of matrix resin, and the layer which protects against oxidation is a separate layer and can produce a chemical bond to a component of the concrete. The invention additionally relates to a concrete part which has a textile reinforcement.

A reinforcing body and a method for its manufacturing. The reinforcing body has at least one reinforcing bar. Each reinforcing bar has a core with a peripheral surface at which a rib structure with at least one rib and at least one depression is provided. The core is formed by at least one first fiber strand embedded in a core matrix. For creating the at least one rib at least one second fiber strand is embedded into a rib matrix, wherein the at least one second fiber strand and the rib matrix are separated by at least one depression in a direction parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the reinforcing bar, such that the at least one second fiber strand is separated into fiber strand sections. The at least one first and the at least one second fiber strand have fibers of different materials.

According to examples, a method may include pouring a fluid ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) mixture into a cavity, thereby providing a UHPC having at least one exposed surface. The method may include applying a liquid polymer onto the exposed surface of the UHPC, thereby providing a layer of liquid polymer onto the at least one exposed surface. According to examples, the method may include rolling the layer of the liquid polymer layer on the at least one exposed surface of the UHPC with a spike roller having a plurality of extended spikes. In some examples, the rolling may be applied with a predefined amount of pressure to cause the extended spikes to pierce the exposed surface of the UHPC, to incorporate the liquid polymer into the UHPC.

A method for making a low cost, lightweight carbon aggregate from coal at, above, or below atmospheric pressure, and a lightweight concrete composition utilizing the lightweight carbon aggregate is described.