A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A lightweight concrete formulation containing Portland cement, aggregate, glass particles, water and metakaolin. At least 80% of the glass particles have a grain size of less than 2 mm. The glass particles contribute between 3% and 20% of the total weight of the concrete formulation. The metakaolin contributes between 4% and 12% of the total weight of the concrete formulation. The glass particles are preferably expanded glass particles. Also provided is a lightweight grout formulation containing Portland cement, glass particles, water and metakaolin. At least 80% of the glass particles have a grain size of less than 2 mm. The glass particles contribute between 3% and 15% of the total weight of the grout formulation. The metakaolin contributes between 7% and 15% of the total weight of the grout formulation.

A lightweight concrete formulation containing Portland cement, aggregate, glass particles, water and metakaolin. At least 80% of the glass particles have a grain size of less than 2 mm. The glass particles contribute between 3% and 20% of the total weight of the concrete formulation. The metakaolin contributes between 4% and 12% of the total weight of the concrete formulation. The glass particles are preferably expanded glass particles. Also provided is a lightweight grout formulation containing Portland cement, glass particles, water and metakaolin. At least 80% of the glass particles have a grain size of less than 2 mm. The glass particles contribute between 3% and 15% of the total weight of the grout formulation. The metakaolin contributes between 7% and 15% of the total weight of the grout formulation.

The invention has as object a cementitious composition for forming mortars or concretes having reduced tendency to react with alkali, characterized in that it comprises as additive at least a compound of general formula:
[RN(CH.sub.2COOH).sub.n].sub.x(I)
R being an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chain, n=2 or 3 and x=1 or 2.

Method and composition for mitigating alkali-silica reaction in concrete. According to one embodiment, the composition may comprise a lithium-stabilized colloidal silica or a powder that is obtained from a lithium-stabilized colloidal silica. The composition may be used as an admixture for a concrete mix that also comprises cement, one or more aggregates, water and, optionally, one or more supplementary cementitious materials.

An improved oil or gas well cement for penetrating, sealing and plugging wells to be abandoned. The cement fill includes (a) a cement component including a calcium sulfoaluminate cement and a Portland cement having a ratio by weight of Portland cement to calcium sulfoaluminate cement ranging from 1/19 to 1/5 and (b) an aggregate component with gradation spanning 1,200 microns to 5 microns. Further an improved oil or gas well microcellular cement for penetrating sealing and completely filling wells to be abandoned that includes (a) a cement component including a calcium sulfoaluminate cement and a Portland cement having a ratio by weight of Portland cement to calcium sulfoaluminate cement ranging from 1/19 to 1/5 and (b) an aggregate component with gradation spanning 200 microns to 5 microns and (c) a foaming agent.

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).