摘要 |
The present invention is directed to concrete compositions prepared using firm aqueous gels (aquagels) as all or part of the aggregate in a concrete mix. The concrete sets around the aquagels in the initial set stage. Because the aquagels maintain the pore structure of the concrete while it sets, a concrete product can be obtained that has substantially uniform density regardless of depth. During the curing and/or drying stages, the moisture migrates out of the concrete and the aquagels, and the aquagels dry to a fraction of the size of the original aquagel in the cell or pore in the concrete. This results in cellular, lightweight concrete having reduced density, reduced weight, reduced thermal conductivity, and reduced sound transmission compared to concrete prepared without using aquagels.
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