Disclosed is a compound with the following formula (I):

##STR00001## as well as the use thereof, in particular as a chelating agent of positively charged ions, or as a fluidizing agent for hydraulic compositions. Also disclosed is a hydraulic composition comprising a compound with formula (I), at least one hydraulic binder, at least one aggregate, and water.

The present invention relates to the use of a soluble magnesium compound for adjusting, in particular reducing, the viscosity of an aluminum sulfate suspension.

A method includes adding (i) a comb polymer and (ii) a plasticizer to a mineral binder composition comprising swellable clays. The comb polymer includes: at least one poly(alkylene oxide) side chain-bearing monomer unit without ionic groups, optionally at least one cationic monomer unit, optionally at least one anionic monomer unit, and optionally, at least one non-ionic monomer unit, wherein a molar ratio of the cationic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is equal to or less than 10, a molar ratio of the anionic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is less than 1, and a molar ratio of the non-ionic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is less than 5.

An aqueous dispersion and uses therefor. The aqueous dispersion includes a Component (a), Component (b) and Component (c). Where Component (a) is a polymer prepared by the polymerization of monomers comprising a vinyl ester and an ethylene, where Component (b) is an acrylate-based polymer and where Component (c) is water. A film that is formed from the aqueous dispersion has a glass transition temperature of less than or equal to −7° C. The aqueous dispersion the polymer of the Component (a) has a pot life of longer than or equal to 4 hours after being mixed with cement. Where Component (a) is present in an amount of higher than 35%, based on the total weight of the aqueous dispersion and Component (b) is present in an amount of less than or equal to 20%, based on the total weight of the aqueous dispersion.

The present disclosure relates to the building industry and in particular to a block for use in automated building construction. In one aspect, the block comprises a generally cuboid body having a top and a base, a length extending between a pair of opposed ends, and a width extending between a pair of opposed sides; the body including a plurality of hollow cores extending from said top to said base, and arranged in a row between said opposed ends; wherein each core has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape; and wherein the thickness of the block between each pair of adjacent cores is at least double the thickness of the block on all other sides of each core, so that the block is divisible into a plurality of substantially identical block portions, each portion including four walls of substantially uniform wall thickness about its core.

An accelerator powder for cement and also rapid-setting binder compositions which contain the accelerator powder and the use in mortar or concrete. The accelerator powder includes from 10 to 99.7% by weight of a water-insoluble mineral powder P and from 0.3 to 90% by weight of at least one compound V selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halides and alkaline earth metal halides, alkali metal nitrates and alkaline earth metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites and alkaline earth metal nitrites, alkali metal thiocyanates and alkaline earth metal thiocyanates and hydroxyalkylamines or salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

A mortar composition, in particular for preparing a viscoelastic structure and/or a fire barrier, including: a) 15-50 wt.-% of a hydraulic binder, b) 5-35 wt.-% of lightweight aggregates, c) 5-25 wt. % of further aggregates which have a particle density that is higher than the particle density of the lightweight aggregates, and d) 10-50 wt.-% of a polymer.

A mortar composition, in particular for preparing a viscoelastic structure and/or a fire barrier, including: a) 15-50 wt.-% of a hydraulic binder, b) 5-35 wt.-% of lightweight aggregates, c) 5-25 wt. % of further aggregates which have a particle density that is higher than the particle density of the lightweight aggregates, and d) 10-50 wt.-% of a polymer.

A method for making a carbonated precast concrete product includes: obtaining a mixture including at least one binder material, an aggregate, and water; molding the mixture into a molded intermediate; demolding the molded intermediate to obtain a demolded intermediate, the demolded intermediate having a first water-to-binder ratio; conditioning the demolded intermediate to provide a conditioned article having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio of the demolded intermediate; moisturizing at least one surface of the conditioned article with an aqueous medium, thereby causing a weight gain of the conditioned article and providing a moisturized product, a first portion of the moisturized product having a third water-to-binder ratio greater than a fourth water-to-binder ratio of a remainder of the moisturized product; and curing the moisturized product with carbon dioxide to obtain the carbonated precast concrete product.

A method for making a carbonated precast concrete product includes: obtaining a mixture including at least one binder material, an aggregate, and water; molding the mixture into a molded intermediate; demolding the molded intermediate to obtain a demolded intermediate, the demolded intermediate having a first water-to-binder ratio; conditioning the demolded intermediate to provide a conditioned article having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio of the demolded intermediate; moisturizing at least one surface of the conditioned article with an aqueous medium, thereby causing a weight gain of the conditioned article and providing a moisturized product, a first portion of the moisturized product having a third water-to-binder ratio greater than a fourth water-to-binder ratio of a remainder of the moisturized product; and curing the moisturized product with carbon dioxide to obtain the carbonated precast concrete product.