A self-supporting inorganic and radiation-hard neutron shielding panel for use in absorbing thermal neutrons. The panel is constructed substantially of concrete and includes a high level of boron by weight to enhance the absorption of thermal neutrons. A layer of radiation-resistant fiber reinforcement within the panel enables production of a thin, strong panel that is self-supporting and easily transportable. Mounting means are included on the panel to facilitate easy mounting on a wall or similar surface. The panels are constructed entirely of inorganic materials and include at least 58% boron by weight to maximize their effectiveness in shielding against thermal neutrons. Further disclosed are methods for forming the neutron-shielding panels.

A self-supporting inorganic and radiation-hard neutron shielding panel for use in absorbing thermal neutrons. The panel is constructed substantially of concrete and includes a high level of boron by weight to enhance the absorption of thermal neutrons. A layer of radiation-resistant fiber reinforcement within the panel enables production of a thin, strong panel that is self-supporting and easily transportable. Mounting means are included on the panel to facilitate easy mounting on a wall or similar surface. The panels are constructed entirely of inorganic materials and include at least 58% boron by weight to maximize their effectiveness in shielding against thermal neutrons. Further disclosed are methods for forming the neutron-shielding panels.

A coated fiber comprising a fiber comprising polyester, and a coating on the fiber, said coating comprising a cross-linked silicone prepared by cross-linking on the fiber one or more silicon-containing compounds selected from an organosilane and organosilicone resin, wherein at least one of said silicon-containing compounds has at least three cross-linking groups is provided, together with a method of preparing such a fiber, a concrete composition comprising such coated fibers, and a method of preparing such a concrete composition.

A coated fiber comprising a fiber comprising polyester, and a coating on the fiber, said coating comprising a cross-linked silicone prepared by cross-linking on the fiber one or more silicon-containing compounds selected from an organosilane and organosilicone resin, wherein at least one of said silicon-containing compounds has at least three cross-linking groups is provided, together with a method of preparing such a fiber, a concrete composition comprising such coated fibers, and a method of preparing such a concrete composition.

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.

The invention concerns a method for fluidifying wet concrete or industrial mortar compositions comprising: (a) at least one hydraulic binder, (b) at least one water reducing polymer, (c) at least one accelerator in the form of a salt containing at least one kosmotropic ion, (d) water, and (e) possibly one or more supplementary cementitious materials, and (f) possibly one or more filler materials, the method comprising a step of adding at least one salt (ch) including at least one chaotropic ion to the concrete or industrial mortar composition.

Ultra-high performance concrete produced from cement, aggregate, water, fillers, and additives, wherein the aggregate comprises 800-1,300 kg of an igneous rock in the form of crushed stone per cubic meter of concrete.

Ultra-high performance concrete produced from cement, aggregate, water, fillers, and additives, wherein the aggregate comprises 800-1,300 kg of an igneous rock in the form of crushed stone per cubic meter of concrete.

A geopolymeric ink formulation for direct 3D printing containing a geopolymeric formulation whose components are present in such proportions as to be subjected to a geopolymerization reaction and to provide, at the end of the reaction, a solid geopolymer and wherein the formulation, before and during at least a part of the geopolymerization reaction, wherein three-dimensional chemical bonds have not yet been formed, forms a reversible-gel, non-Newtonian, viscoelastic fluid. The formulation is extruded through a 3D printing tool equipped with nozzle into strands according to a geometry such as to create a three-dimensional structure on one or more layers. The extrusion preferably takes place within a hydrophobic liquid, such as oil.

A geopolymeric ink formulation for direct 3D printing containing a geopolymeric formulation whose components are present in such proportions as to be subjected to a geopolymerization reaction and to provide, at the end of the reaction, a solid geopolymer and wherein the formulation, before and during at least a part of the geopolymerization reaction, wherein three-dimensional chemical bonds have not yet been formed, forms a reversible-gel, non-Newtonian, viscoelastic fluid. The formulation is extruded through a 3D printing tool equipped with nozzle into strands according to a geometry such as to create a three-dimensional structure on one or more layers. The extrusion preferably takes place within a hydrophobic liquid, such as oil.