A cement-reduced construction composition comprises a) a cementitious binder comprising one or more calcium silicate mineral phases and one or more calcium aluminate mineral phases, and having a Blaine surface area of at least 3800 cm.sup.2/g, in an amount of 180 to 400 kg per m.sup.3 of the freshly mixed construction composition; b) a fine material having a Dv90 of less than 200 ?m, selected from alkali-activatable binders, rock powders and inorganic pigments, or mixtures thereof, in a total amount of 20 to 200 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of cementitious binder a); c) optionally, an extraneous aluminate source; d) a sulfate source; and e) a polyol in an amount of 0.3 to 2.5 wt.-%, relative to the amount of cementitious binder a). The composition contains available aluminate, calculated as Al(OH).sub.4, from the calcium aluminate mineral phases plus the optional extraneous aluminate source, per 100 g of cementitious binder a), in a total amount of at least 0.08 mol, if the amount of cementitious binder a) is in the range of 180 to less than 220 kg per m.sup.3 of the freshly mixed composition, at least 0.06 mol, if the amount of cementitious binder a) is in the range of 220 to less than 280 kg per m.sup.3 of the freshly mixed composition, and at least 0.05 mol, if the amount of cementitious binder a) is 280 kg or more per m.sup.3 of the freshly mixed composition; and the molar ratio of total available aluminate to sulfate is 0.4 to 2.0. The construction composition further comprises f) an ettringite formation controller comprising (i) glyoxylic acid, a glyoxylic acid salt and/or a glyoxylic acid derivative; and (ii) at least one of (ii-a) a borate source and (ii-b) a carbonate source, wherein the carbonate source is selected from inorganic carbonates having an aqueous solubility of 0.1 g.Math.L.sup.?1 or more, organic carbonates, and mixtures thereof; and g) a co-retarder selected from (g-1) ?-hydroxy monocarboxylic acids and salts thereof, (g-2) phosphonic acids and salts thereof, (g-3) polycarboxylic acids and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. The cement-reduced construction composition is a reduced carbon footprint construction composition and exhibits high early strength, high final strength, sufficient open time, high durability, and reduced shrinkage compared to ordinary Portland cement based mixes. Ingredients of the construction composition are abundantly available.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, hydraulic cement, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, calcium hydroxide (lime), and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising: RFA, hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, natural pozzolan and water; and allowing the composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising RFA and any combination of hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, slag, fly ash, and natural or other pozzolan.

The present invention provides a concrete protective agent and a preparation method thereof, and a concrete protective film and a preparation method thereof. The concrete protective agent provided in the present invention includes the following components: water, oxalic acid, a defoaming agent, and a film-forming agent. When the concrete protective agent provided in the present invention is used for concrete protection, oxalic acid in the protective agent can react with calcium ions in concrete for in situ generation of calcium oxalate monohydrate inside and on a surface of concrete to obtain a protective film with strong adhesion to concrete. The film-forming agent in the protective agent is used as a template to adjust and control growth of calcium oxalate crystals, so as to improve waterproof performance and corrosion resistance to sulfate and chloride ions of the protective film. Preparation methods provided in the present invention are simple and practical and are suitable for mass production.

A cement-reduced construction composition comprises a) a cementitious binder comprising one or more calcium silicate mineral phases and one or more calcium aluminate mineral phases, and having a Blaine surface area of at least 3800 cm.sup.2/g; b) a fine material having a Dv90 of less than 200 ?m, selected from alkali-activatable binders, rock powders and inorganic pigments, or mixtures thereof; c) optionally, an extraneous aluminate source; d) a sulfate source; and e) a polyol. The composition contains a controlled amount of available aluminate, calculated as Al(OH).sub.4.sup.?, from the calcium aluminate mineral phases plus the optional extraneous aluminate source; and the molar ratio of total available aluminate to sulfate is 0.4 to 2.0. The construction composition further comprises f) an ettringite formation controller and g) a co-retarder. The cement-reduced construction composition is a reduced carbon footprint construction composition and exhibits high early strength, high final strength, sufficient open time, high durability, and reduced shrinkage compared to ordinary Portland cement based mixes.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of a non-spec natural pozzolan to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash, by utilizing natural pozzolans. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

A bonding element, a bonding element matrix and composite materials with a wide range of attractive properties that may be optimized, including, but not limited to, mechanical properties, thermal properties, magnetic properties, optical properties and nuclear properties, as a result of a first layer and second layer structure or core, first layer, and second layer structure of the bonding elements, as well as methods for making the bonding elements and the corresponding ceramic and/or composite materials.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

A cementitious inorganic material having improved durability and strength is provided. The cementitious inorganic material includes an inorganic cured matrix, a plurality of cellulosic nanofibers embedded in the inorganic cured matrix, an agent for dispersing the cellulosic nanofibers in the inorganic cured matrix, and an aggregate dispersed throughout the inorganic cured matrix. The inventive cementitious inorganic material provides improved resistance to sulphate attack, chloride attack, vegetation growth, and consequent damage such as expansive cracking, thereby enhancing the durability of cement. A process of making the cementitious inorganic material includes blending the cellulosic nanofibers with water until a homogenous solution is achieved, mixing the dispersing agent with the homogenous mixture, mixing the inorganic matrix material with the homogenous solution, mixing in the aggregate, and allowing the mixture to cure.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of a non-spec natural pozzolan to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash, by utilizing natural pozzolans. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.