The present invention provides an admixture composition comprising a liquid suspension of colloidal silica, siloxane, and polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant for enhancing early age strength, finishability, and other properties in hydratable cementitious compositions such as concrete (e.g., shotcrete). An inventive method involves mixing the components together in a specific sequence, thereby to obtain a stable liquid suspension. This attainment of a stable liquid suspension is surprising and unexpected because (i) the polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant and siloxane components are incompatible and immiscible with one another; and (ii) that colloidal silica and siloxane compound are incompatible and immiscible with one another. Yet, the present inventors achieved an additive in the form of a stable liquid suspension which can be conveniently dosed into concretes and shotcrete mixtures, to enhance early age strength, and to improve workability and rheology in terms of finishability of concrete surfaces and improved rebound performance in shotcrete applications.

Various examples are provided for in situ growth of subsurface structures using bioinspired mineralization. In one example, among others, a method for growth of a subsurface structure includes introducing a first aqueous mineral salt reactant and a second aqueous mineral salt reactant comprising a polymeric additive into a soil substrate. The first and second aqueous mineral salt reactants can combine to form a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) phase that initiates in situ mineralization in the soil substrate. Solidifying the mineralization can form a subsurface structure in the soil substrate. Multiple applications of aqueous mineral salt reactants can be introduced to adjust the thickness of the mineralization or for layers of coatings.

Various examples are provided for in situ growth of subsurface structures using bioinspired mineralization. In one example, among others, a method for growth of a subsurface structure includes introducing a first aqueous mineral salt reactant and a second aqueous mineral salt reactant comprising a polymeric additive into a soil substrate. The first and second aqueous mineral salt reactants can combine to form a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) phase that initiates in situ mineralization in the soil substrate. Solidifying the mineralization can form a subsurface structure in the soil substrate. Multiple applications of aqueous mineral salt reactants can be introduced to adjust the thickness of the mineralization or for layers of coatings.

The present invention relates to very high workable yet controllable concrete mix design, admixture composition, and process for placing concrete. The mix design relates to particular aggregate/cement ratios and types which are characteristic of ready mix concrete (RMC), which provide high fluidity reminiscent of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and which provides advantages over both RMC and SCC in terms of ease and speed in placement and finishability at the construction site placement zone, regardless of whether into a horizontal formwork (e.g., for slabs, floors) or into vertical formwork (e.g., for blocks, walls, columns, etc.), without loss of control and without generating high risks of segregation even when small amounts of water are added at the size to facilitate finishing of the concrete surface. An inventive admixture combination which enables this unique design involves two different polycarboxylate comb polymers in combination with two specific viscosity modifying agents, and this combination provides highly workable concrete to be placed in a controlled, efficient manner.

The present invention relates to very high workable yet controllable concrete mix design, admixture composition, and process for placing concrete. The mix design relates to particular aggregate/cement ratios and types which are characteristic of ready mix concrete (RMC), which provide high fluidity reminiscent of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and which provides advantages over both RMC and SCC in terms of ease and speed in placement and finishability at the construction site placement zone, regardless of whether into a horizontal formwork (e.g., for slabs, floors) or into vertical formwork (e.g., for blocks, walls, columns, etc.), without loss of control and without generating high risks of segregation even when small amounts of water are added at the size to facilitate finishing of the concrete surface. An inventive admixture combination which enables this unique design involves two different polycarboxylate comb polymers in combination with two specific viscosity modifying agents, and this combination provides highly workable concrete to be placed in a controlled, efficient manner.

An eco-tile useful for promoting the growth of fauna and flora in an aquatic environment, the eco-tile including at least one type of cement; aggregates comprising at least two fine aggregates and coarse aggregates; and milled incineration sewage sludge ashes, wherein the at least two fine aggregates comprise dredged marine sediment, eco-concrete precursors thereof, and methods of use and preparation of the same.

An eco-tile useful for promoting the growth of fauna and flora in an aquatic environment, the eco-tile including at least one type of cement; aggregates comprising at least two fine aggregates and coarse aggregates; and milled incineration sewage sludge ashes, wherein the at least two fine aggregates comprise dredged marine sediment, eco-concrete precursors thereof, and methods of use and preparation of the same.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing self-binding pigment particles from an aqueous suspension of calcium carbonate containing material, wherein an anionic binder and at least one cationic polymer are mixed with the suspension.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing self-binding pigment particles from an aqueous suspension of calcium carbonate containing material, wherein an anionic binder and at least one cationic polymer are mixed with the suspension.

A comb polymer is used for increasing the flow rate and/or reducing the viscosity of a mineral binder composition, where the comb polymer has a main chain including acid groups and there are pendent chains linked to the main chain, and where the average number-average molar mass of all of the pendent chains is from 120 to 1000 g/mol and the molar ratio of the acid groups to the side chains is in the range from 0.5 to 2.