The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

A method for controlling the volume expansion of a hydraulically setting composition including steel making slag, the method including a step of adding a silica source to the composition. Furthermore, hydraulically setting compositions obtained by such methods and their uses.

The invention relates to a mineral binder suitable for use in binding aggregate in a mineral mortar or concrete mixture, said binder comprising the following components:

a) at least 40 wt % of calcined kaolinitic clay and ultrafine crushed CDW,
wherein the ratio between calcined clay and ultrafine crushed CDW is between 3:7 and 1:1 (w/w),
b) optionally 2-50 wt. % of a chemical activator; and
wherein the calcined kaolinitic clay, the ultrafine crushed CDW and the optionally present chemical activator are present in a combined amount of at least 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the binder. The invention further relates to mineral mortar or concrete mixtures based on this mineral binder, as well as building units made from these mixtures.

This disclosure provides gypsum cement compositions which comprise an aggregate stabilizing mixture containing a combination of a polysaccharide gum and a polyacrylamide-gelatin blend, and methods for making and using these compositions, including pourable/pumpable floor underlayment slurries and methods for forming high strength underlayment on different substrates.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention relates to a construction material composition comprising at least one non-ionic copolymer and the use of said construction material composition. Further, the present invention relates to a non-ionic copolymer and the use thereof for modifying robustness against clay deviations.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

The present invention is directed to a reinforced building block made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) comprising rebars formed essentially from A) at least one fibrous carrier and B) and a hardened composition formed from B1) at least one epoxy compound and B2) at least one diamine and/or polyamine in a stoichiometric ratio of the epoxy compound B1) to the diamine and/or polyamine component B2) of 0.8:1 to 2:1, as matrix material, and C) optionally further auxiliaries and additives and to methods of production thereof