A composite structural material formed from aggregate within a matrix, the aggregate being a particulate material where each particle includes at least three radial legs extending outwardly from a central hub

A hybrid additive for use in construction materials such as asphalt and concrete is disclosed. The additive includes pellets formed of a plastic or polymer material, and one or more of fibers, pozzolans, nano-carbon tubes, glass, recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), liquid anti-strip, hydrated lime, rejuvenators, cementitious material, and ground tire rubber. Also disclosed are hybrid composite materials useful as paving and building materials, and methods of making the same. The hybrid additives were found to maintain the positive performance aspects of typical asphalt and concrete mixtures, while improving the performance of the mixtures by increasing bonding and strength within the mixture—and therefore increasing useable life and lowering costs.

The disclosure relates to embodiments of a thixotropic, non-cementitious, thermal grout and applications or methods of use of the grout related to horizontal directional drilling, trenchless technology, trenching, and installation of pipe, conduits, ducts, utility lines, and other product lines which may, e.g., be in trenches, underground, or under obstacles, such as a body of water or roadways.

The disclosure relates to embodiments of a thixotropic, non-cementitious, thermal grout and applications or methods of use of the grout related to horizontal directional drilling, trenchless technology, trenching, and installation of pipe, conduits, ducts, utility lines, and other product lines which may, e.g., be in trenches, underground, or under obstacles, such as a body of water or roadways.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.

A method is provided for producing a microfiber-reinforced high-strength concrete, comprising a cement matrix with a microfiber addition. The fiber elements have a shape-memory alloy. The method has at least the following steps: training a fiber shape of the fiber elements at a temperature above a transition temperature, wherein the fiber shape allows the fiber elements to latch; cooling the trained fiber elements; plastically deforming the fiber elements from the trained fiber shape into an intermediate form by means of which the fiber elements are prevented from latching; introducing the fiber elements into the cement matrix in order to form a fresh concrete; and casting the fresh concrete and heating the fresh concrete to the transition temperature such that the fiber elements reform into the fiber shape, thereby latching the fiber elements. The invention additionally relates to a microfiber-reinforced concrete which is produced using such a method.

A method is provided for producing a microfiber-reinforced high-strength concrete, comprising a cement matrix with a microfiber addition. The fiber elements have a shape-memory alloy. The method has at least the following steps: training a fiber shape of the fiber elements at a temperature above a transition temperature, wherein the fiber shape allows the fiber elements to latch; cooling the trained fiber elements; plastically deforming the fiber elements from the trained fiber shape into an intermediate form by means of which the fiber elements are prevented from latching; introducing the fiber elements into the cement matrix in order to form a fresh concrete; and casting the fresh concrete and heating the fresh concrete to the transition temperature such that the fiber elements reform into the fiber shape, thereby latching the fiber elements. The invention additionally relates to a microfiber-reinforced concrete which is produced using such a method.

Clay polymer nanocomposites may be mixed with an aggregate material and heat treated to make a structural stabilizer. In an embodiment, the composition is a structural stabilizer resulting from thermal casting and heat treatment. The structural stabilizer does not include cement or water. The heat treatment may be any suitable heat application, including microwave heating, convection oven heating or heating in thermal mixers. The structural stabilizer can be rapidly synthesized to provide high compressive strength and high homogeneity, and to be substantially free of fractures and cracks. Methods of repairing cracks in concrete and stabilizing soil, rock and sand dune formations using the structural stabilizer include thermal casting. Thermal casting ductile concrete molds can include a coating of aluminum foil. The concrete is self-compact, ecofriendly, lightweight, self-repairing and self pre-stressing with homogeneity and low density. The concrete resists steel corrosion, sudden collapse, and does not produce pollution.

The invention relates to a plaster-based composition comprising nanometric boehmite and/or nanometric aluminium trihydroxide, this composition making it possible to obtain products having better dimensional stability at high and in particular at very high temperature. The invention also relates to the method of obtaining the products, and the products produced.