The present invention allows for better control over strength in concrete mixes and mix designs, while minimizing the over-use of cement and promoting sustainability within the industry. Disclosed are novel method and system which employ a diagnostic delta data (DDD) curve, or, in other words, data that displays a curvilinear relationship when plotted on a visual graph, as obtained by considering the differences (e.g., subtractive differences or ratios) as between (i) target slump and target (or maximum) water content, and (ii) slump and water content values as determined using an automated slump monitoring system which measures slump and water content in the concrete mix during delivery. This DDD curve can then be compared to monitored delta slump and delta water content for later or other deliveries, such that adjustments can be made to the concrete mix or mix design, in a manner that encourages avoidance of cement over-dosing or over-prescription.

The present invention allows for better control over strength in concrete mixes and mix designs, while minimizing the over-use of cement and promoting sustainability within the industry. Disclosed are novel method and system which employ a diagnostic delta data (DDD) curve, or, in other words, data that displays a curvilinear relationship when plotted on a visual graph, as obtained by considering the differences (e.g., subtractive differences or ratios) as between (i) target slump and target (or maximum) water content, and (ii) slump and water content values as determined using an automated slump monitoring system which measures slump and water content in the concrete mix during delivery. This DDD curve can then be compared to monitored delta slump and delta water content for later or other deliveries, such that adjustments can be made to the concrete mix or mix design, in a manner that encourages avoidance of cement over-dosing or over-prescription.

A method may include: analyzing each of a group of inorganic particles to generate data about physicochemical properties of each of the inorganic particles; and generating a correlation between a reactivity index of each of the inorganic particles and the data.

A method may include: analyzing each of a group of inorganic particles to generate data about physicochemical properties of each of the inorganic particles; and generating a correlation between a reactivity index of each of the inorganic particles and the data.

Concrete can be one of the most durable building materials and structures made of concrete can have a long service life. Consumption is projected to reach approximately 40 billion tons in 2017. Despite this the testing of concrete at all stages of its life cycle is still in its early stages although testing for corrosion is well established. Further many of the tests today are time consuming, expensive, and provide results only after it has been poured and set. Embodiments of the invention provide concrete suppliers, construction companies, regulators, architects, and others with rapid testing and performance data regarding the cure, performance, corrosion of concrete at different points in its life cycle based upon a simple electrical tests that remove subjectivity, allow for rapid assessment, are integrable to the construction process, and provided full life cycle assessment. Wireless sensors can be embedded from initial loading through post-cure into service life.

Concrete can be one of the most durable building materials and structures made of concrete can have a long service life. Consumption is projected to reach approximately 40 billion tons in 2017. Despite this the testing of concrete at all stages of its life cycle is still in its early stages although testing for corrosion is well established. Further many of the tests today are time consuming, expensive, and provide results only after it has been poured and set. Embodiments of the invention provide concrete suppliers, construction companies, regulators, architects, and others with rapid testing and performance data regarding the cure, performance, corrosion of concrete at different points in its life cycle based upon a simple electrical tests that remove subjectivity, allow for rapid assessment, are integrable to the construction process, and provided full life cycle assessment. Wireless sensors can be embedded from initial loading through post-cure into service life.

A geopolymer composition for use as a cement or concrete is provided, the composition comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS). The composition may optionally comprise a filler. A method for forming a geopolymer composition is also provided, the method comprising: providing a geopolymer precursor comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS); combining components (a) to (c) with an activator, the activator comprising a silicate and a base in solution in a solvent; and allowing the resulting mixture to cure. The geopolymer composition advantageously comprises one or more allotropes of carbon, in particular a carbon nano-structure material, for example nanotubes, nanobuds and nanoribbons. The geopolymer composition finds use in form a wide range of construction components and structures.

A geopolymer composition for use as a cement or concrete is provided, the composition comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS). The composition may optionally comprise a filler. A method for forming a geopolymer composition is also provided, the method comprising: providing a geopolymer precursor comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS); combining components (a) to (c) with an activator, the activator comprising a silicate and a base in solution in a solvent; and allowing the resulting mixture to cure. The geopolymer composition advantageously comprises one or more allotropes of carbon, in particular a carbon nano-structure material, for example nanotubes, nanobuds and nanoribbons. The geopolymer composition finds use in form a wide range of construction components and structures.

Disclosed is a sulfate corrosion-resistant concrete, a method for optimizing proportion and application thereof. The concrete is formed by mixing and stirring base stocks, aggregates, admixtures, external additives and water. The base stock of the concrete is 17.4-17.5 parts of Portland cement; the aggregates include 38.9 parts of basalt with aggregate size of 5-10 mm and 33.1-33.2 parts of basalt medium sand; the admixtures are 1.9-1.95 parts of silica fume or fly ash, and further including 0.23-0.24 part of polycarboxylate water reducer and 1.34-1.35 part of sulfate corrosion-resistant liquid preservative. Optimized proportion method: according to the corrosion characteristics of sulfate and corrosion environment parameters, determine the composition and proportion of basic samples and comparison samples, make and cure sample components, test the deep components of the samples, and obtain the optimal composition and proportion according to the test results.

A method of sealing propagating cracks in a sensor-laden cement sheath comprising the steps of monitoring an electrical resistivity of the sensor-laden cement sheath to produce a measured value, wherein the sensor-laden cement sheath comprises a conductive sensor, an on-demand expanding agent, and a cement, activating a heat source when the measured value of the electrical resistivity is greater than an activation threshold, increasing a temperature of the sensor-laden cement sheath with the heat source to an activation temperature, wherein the activation temperature is operable to initiate a reaction between the on-demand expanding agent and water, wherein the activation temperature is greater than a formation temperature, reacting the on-demand expanding agent with water to produce a swelled agent, wherein the swelled agent occupies a greater volume than the on-demand expanding agent, and sealing the propagating cracks in the sensor-laden cement sheath with the swelled agent.