Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
Advanced Patent Search | Web History | Sign in

Patents

Synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers, are mixed in a shrinkage compensating concrete to provide restraint in lieu of conventional steel reinforcement used in a shrinkage compensating concrete. While the synthetic fibers have a low elastic modulus and low strength, they act to restrain expansion of the concrete in the same way that conventional steel rebar does. In addition, only a small amount of the synthetic fibers are needed to restrain the expansion. As a result, shrinkage compensating concrete can be used in more varied applications, and can be provided more quickly, easily and inexpensively. Construction time requirements and expenses of concrete structures are correspondingly reduced.

Inventors: Edward K. Rice, Eric Bescher, David Flax, Daniel Goods, Kyle de Bruyn
Current U.S. Classification: 106/644; 106/713; 106/724

View patent at USPTO
Search USPTO Assignment Database
Download USPTO Public PAIR data

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US7968178Jun 10, 2010Jun 28, 2011Concrete Solutions Consulting, LLCIntegrated concrete slab

Claims

1. A shrinkage compensating concrete comprising:

an expansive cement;

aggregate; and

a restraining material comprising fibers for restraining expansion of the concrete, wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 6×106 psi.

2. (canceled)

3. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 3×106 psi.

4. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 0.10×106 psi.

5. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material comprises a non-metallic material.

6. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material comprises polymeric fibers.

7. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material comprises polypropylene, poly vinyl alcohol, or nylon.

8. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material has a density between about 0.8 and 3.0 gm/cm3.

9. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the restraining material has a tensile strength between about 10 and 200 MPa.

10. A shrinkage compensating concrete comprising:

an expansive cement;

aggregate; and

a restraining material for limiting expansion of the concrete, wherein the restraining material has a density of from about 0.8 to 2 g/cm3 and is fibrous.

11. (canceled)

12. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 10 wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 15×106 psi.

13. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 10 wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 3×106 psi.

14. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 10 wherein the restraining material has a modulus of elasticity of about from 0.05×106 to about 0.10×106 psi.

15. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 10 wherein the restraining material comprises polymeric fibers.

16. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 10 wherein the restraining material has a tensile strength between about 10 and 200 MPa.

17. A shrinkage compensating concrete comprising:

an expansive cement;

aggregate; and

a fibrous polymeric restraining material.

18. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 17 containing from 1-10 pounds of fibrous polymeric restraining material per cubic yard of concrete.

19. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 17 wherein the fibrous polymeric restraining material comprises synthetic fibers having an average diameter of from 0.001 to 0.3 mm and an average length of about 1 to 40 mm.

20. A shrinkage compensating concrete comprising:

an expansive cement;

aggregate; and

a fibrous restraining material having a tensile strength of about 10 to 200 MPa.

21. A shrinkage compensating concrete comprising:

an expansive cement;

an aggregate material comprising sand, gravel or rock, and forming a matrix with the expansive cement; and

a fibrous restraining material having a modulus of elasticity lower than the modulus of elasticity of the matrix.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 wherein the expansive cement comprises a fast setting cement.

25. The shrinkage compensating concrete of claim 1 further including one or more members selected from the group consisting of a setting retarder; a plasticizer; a polymer bonding additive; and a coloring agent.

26. (canceled)

Drawings