A pre-cast concrete stair tread is provided where the stair tread has reinforced corrugated metal embedded within the core of the concrete stair tread. The corrugations are lined up along the elongated direction of the stair tread. Concrete is poured and cured over at least one side of the corrugated metal. Additionally, the pre-cast concrete stair tread may have one or more metal straps fixed on the reinforced corrugated metal in a direction perpendicular to the corrugations and the elongated direction.

An automated concrete cube processing system. The system comprises a curing stage including a water tank arranged to facilitate curing of a plurality of concrete cubes for a predetermined period of time; a drying stage arranged to facilitate drying of the plurality of concrete cubes upon completion of curing process; a measurement stage arranged to facilitate measuring of dimensions and a weight of each of the plurality of concrete cubes; a compression stage arranged to facilitate undertaking of a compressive strength test on each of the plurality of concrete cubes; and a transportation module arranged to transfer the plurality of concrete cubes among different stages.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a concrete product. A composition including a slag-based binder, an aggregate, water and an additive selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, ground eggshells, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, fine calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, borax, ammonium chloride and combinations thereof, is mixed to obtain a concrete mixture. The concrete mixture is formed into a desired shape to obtain a formed concrete, the formed concrete having a first water-to-binder ratio. The formed concrete is dried to obtain a dried concrete having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio. The concrete mixture is carbon cured to obtain the concrete product.

A method of curing concrete including the steps of providing a concrete curing blanket and covering the concrete with the concrete curing blanket to keep the concrete hydrated during the curing process. The concrete and the concrete curing blanket are soaked with water, to thoroughly hydrate the concrete and the concrete curing blanket. The concrete curing blanket includes an absorbent sheet comprising a wicking layer, super absorbent materials, and a tissue layer, with the super absorbent materials being positioned between the wicking layer and the tissue layer; and a vapor barrier bonded to the tissue layer of the absorbent sheet. The vapor barrier has a plurality of perforations.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a concrete product. A composition including a slag-based binder, an aggregate, water and an additive selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, ground eggshells, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, fine calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, borax, ammonium chloride and combinations thereof, is mixed to obtain a concrete mixture. The concrete mixture is formed into a desired shape to obtain a formed concrete, the formed concrete having a first water-to-binder ratio. The formed concrete is dried to obtain a dried concrete having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio. The concrete mixture is carbon cured to obtain the concrete product.

The invention provides a curing system that is useful for curing materials that consume carbon dioxide as a reagent. The system has a curing chamber that contains the material to be cured and a gas that contains carbon dioxide. The system includes apparatus that can deliver carbon dioxide to displace ambient air upon loading the system, that can provide carbon dioxide as it is needed and as it is consumed, that can control carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and humidity in the curing chamber during the curing cycle and that can record and display to a user the variables that occur during the curing process. A method of curing a material which requires CO.sub.2 as a curing reagent is also described.

The invention provides novel articles of composite materials having hollow interior channels or passageways, or otherwise being hollowed out, and formulations and methods for their manufacture and uses. These hollow core objects are suitable for a variety of applications in construction, pavements and landscaping, and infrastructure.

A drain pipe is manufactured from a cement mixture which comprises cement 20-30 weight percent, sand 30-40 weight percent, broken-stone chip 31-45 weight percent in 4-20 mm size, admixture 0.2-0.3 weight percent, and functional additives. The functional additives shall be added and mixed additionally. The functional additives include PUD (Waterborne Polyurethane Dispersion) 10-15 weight percent, PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) fiber 4-8 weight percent in 2-3 mm size, MEHEC (methylethylhydroxyethylcelluloe) 2-4 weight percent, calcium carbonate 4-6 weight percent, degenerated silicate 2-4 weight percent, epoxy group emulsion 1-2 weight percent, fluorosilicate magnesium 1-2 weight percent, cyclopentasiloxane 1-2 weight percent, triglycerides 6-10 weight percent, glycidyl neodecanoate 2-4 weight percent, sodium, acrylate copolymer 2-4 weight percent and dichlorodimethylsilane 3-6 weight percent, and water for remaining portion based on cement 100 weight percent.

The invention comprises a flying table concrete form. The flying table concrete form comprises a concrete forming deck comprising a first concrete forming panel having a first primary surface adapted for forming and contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, a layer of insulating material contacting and substantially covering the second primary surface of the first concrete forming panel, and a second panel contacting and substantially covering the layer of insulating material. The flying table concrete form also comprises a plurality of deck support members extending transversely with respect to the second panel, wherein the first concrete forming panel defines a plane and wherein no portion of the deck support members are in the plane defined by the first concrete forming panel. A method of using the flying table concrete form is also disclosed.

The invention provides novel aerated composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of aerated concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.