In some embodiments, a method may include preparing building forms including at least some cementitious materials. The method for preparing forms may include mixing substantially dry cementitious material particles with closed cell foam particles to form a substantially dry composition. In some embodiment, at least some of the cementitious material particles may adhere to at least some surface deformations on the surface of the closed cell foam particles. In some embodiments, the method may include mixing a second portion of water with the substantially dry composition for a second period of time to form a partially wet composition. In some embodiments, a method may include forming a building form including at least some cementitious materials from the partially wet composition. In some embodiments, the closed cell foam particles may include expanded polystyrene. In some embodiments, a ratio of the water to cementitious material particles may range from 0.20 to 0.40.

Presented and described is a method for manufacturing concrete elements having at least one concrete layer, wherein concrete for at least one element is introduced into a mould, the concrete is compacted by vibration and/or by tamping and subsequently cures, wherein to the concrete layer, prior to compaction, at least one portion of a granular material is applied by means of an application device, where the concrete introduced into the mould has a water/binder (w/b) ratio of 0.30 to 0.50 prior to curing and where as granular material a material is used comprising (a) a scatter component having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 5 mm in an amount of 65 to 95 wt % and (b) binder in an amount of 5 to 35 wt %, based in each case on the overall composition of the granular material.

Presented and described is a method for manufacturing concrete elements having at least one concrete layer, wherein concrete for at least one element is introduced into a mould, the concrete is compacted by vibration and/or by tamping and subsequently cures, wherein to the concrete layer, prior to compaction, at least one portion of a granular material is applied by means of an application device, where the concrete introduced into the mould has a water/binder (w/b) ratio of 0.30 to 0.50 prior to curing and where as granular material a material is used comprising (a) a scatter component having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 5 mm in an amount of 65 to 95 wt % and (b) binder in an amount of 5 to 35 wt %, based in each case on the overall composition of the granular material.

A process for the preparation of an article by powder injection molding, the process including the steps of providing a feedstock containing a powder of a ceramic, a metal or a metal alloy dispersed in a binder, heating the feedstock, and injecting the heated feedstock into a mold cavity of a mold, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. The process is characterized in that step c) is carried out under the application of vibrational energy onto the feedstock.

A process for the preparation of an article by powder injection molding, the process including the steps of providing a feedstock containing a powder of a ceramic, a metal or a metal alloy dispersed in a binder, heating the feedstock, and injecting the heated feedstock into a mold cavity of a mold, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. The process is characterized in that step c) is carried out under the application of vibrational energy onto the feedstock.

The present invention discloses a crack-resistant ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for underground engineering in water-rich strata, preparation method, and application thereof, belonging to the technical field of building materials. The concrete is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 550-650 parts of cement, 140-180 parts of fly ash, 120-150 parts of silica fume, 200-300 parts of calcined shield tunnel slag, 30-50 parts of micron-scale magnesium oxide, 30-50 parts of nano-scale magnesium oxide, 30-50 parts of rheology-modifying material, 800-1000 parts of lightweight aggregate, 4-8 parts of water reducer, and 50-200 parts of water. The rheology-modifying material has a fluidity ratio of 106%. The present invention incorporates calcined shield tunnel slag, micron/nano-scale magnesium oxide, and lightweight aggregate into the UHPC, which effectively suppresses shrinkage and reduces crack formation.

The present invention discloses a crack-resistant ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for underground engineering in water-rich strata, preparation method, and application thereof, belonging to the technical field of building materials. The concrete is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 550-650 parts of cement, 140-180 parts of fly ash, 120-150 parts of silica fume, 200-300 parts of calcined shield tunnel slag, 30-50 parts of micron-scale magnesium oxide, 30-50 parts of nano-scale magnesium oxide, 30-50 parts of rheology-modifying material, 800-1000 parts of lightweight aggregate, 4-8 parts of water reducer, and 50-200 parts of water. The rheology-modifying material has a fluidity ratio of 106%. The present invention incorporates calcined shield tunnel slag, micron/nano-scale magnesium oxide, and lightweight aggregate into the UHPC, which effectively suppresses shrinkage and reduces crack formation.

A concrete product machine comprising a vibrator assembly and a mold assembly. The vibrator assembly includes a vibrator shaft supported for rotation by a vibrator bearing set carried by a vibrator bearing housing. The mold assembly is carried by the vibrator assembly and includes a concrete product mold carried by a mold support member. The mold support member is carried by the vibrator bearing housing. A mold assembly support joint comprises first and second support surfaces of the vibrator bearing housing engaging respective first and second support surfaces of the mold support member in a tapered fit.

A hybrid vibration assembly for a concrete products machine. The assembly may include a vibration frame positioned to carry at least a portion of a mold, a stationary frame carrying the vibration frame, knocker bars supportable on the stationary frame for vertical adjustment relative to the stationary frame, and a motor connected to a vibrator mounted on the vibration frame. The assembly may also include a mechanical frame/mold clamp that alternately couples the vibration frame to the mold and decouples the vibration frame from the mold.

In a method and apparatus for vibrating a mold box of a type having a plurality of mold cavities sized and shaped to yield a predesignated molded product, the system comprises mounting the mold box to a frame within the expanse of a product forming machine and moving left and right sides of a yoke upward and downward independently through phases of a vibration sequence. The vibration sequence for each has a maximum and minimum lifting height such that the left and right sides of the yoke tilt with respect to one another dependent upon the vibration sequence. A central vibration rod couples between a central portion of the yoke and the frame so that the frame is vibrated at an approximate average between the upward and downward movement of the left and right sides of the yoke. Vibration frequency, amplitude, and phase difference can be adjusted to affect the vibration profile of the central vibration rod.