A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is both self-compacting and lightweight, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. The concrete, at the density ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, has a higher strength and, at the strength ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, a lower density. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is lightweight and self-compacting or non-self-compacting, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at a lower density, such as an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

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.

A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is both self-compacting and lightweight, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. The concrete, at the density ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, has a higher strength and, at the strength ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, a lower density. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

The present invention relates to bituminous coated materials including a granular fraction and a binder, characterised in that in the granular fraction all or part of the elements are selected from among lightweight, non-absorbent aggregates with a density of less than 1.6 t/m.sup.3 and a water absorption coefficient of less than 15%. The invention also relates to the use of light, non-absorbent aggregates with a density of less than 1.6 t/m.sup.3 and a water absorption coefficient of 3% to 15% for the production of light bituminous coated materials. The invention further relates to pavements obtained by applying at least one layer of the coated materials according to the invention and to a method for applying a surface course to a surface raised above the ground which includes a step of applying coated materials according to the invention.

A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is both self-compacting and lightweight, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. The concrete, at the density ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, has a higher strength and, at the strength ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, a lower density. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is both self-compacting and lightweight, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. The concrete, at the density ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, has a higher strength and, at the strength ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete, a lower density. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

Compositions and a method for making self consolidating grouts containing fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and lime are described. No polymeric admixtures are utilized, and the 28 day cure strength of the cured gouts exceeds the minimum ASTM standards. The uncured grout exhibits slump flows between 24 and 30 without visible segregation of the components.

A concrete mix, including: cementitious content between 25 and 200 kg/m.sup.3; fly ash content between 25 and 175 kg/m.sup.3; dirty sand with fine aggregates between 3% and 20%; water content between 150 I/m.sup.3 and 250 l/m.sup.3; and a chemical admixture comprising one or more components selected from the following: an acrylic, formaldehyde-free polymer-based admixture, modified in aqueous solution; a surfactant admixture configured to entrain micro air bubbles in concrete; and an organic polymer comprising hydrophilic groups for increasing the viscosity of the mixture.

A green construction element forming a vertical surface of the construction, the element including a porous concrete element and a coating on at least one of the surfaces of the porous concrete, directly in contact with the surface, the coating, which is favourable to the development of plants, including a plant or a seed of the plant, and the porous concrete having a porosity of between 10% and 40% in the hardened state thereof, before application of the coating, so as to be able to render the vertical surface of the construction green.