IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,220,344
Granted Patent B2
US 8,220,344 · App. 12/503,622 · Granted Jul 17, 2012

Method for estimating properties of concrete

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,220,344
App. No.
12/503,622
Granted
Jul 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are procedures for estimating the amount of water vapor emissions as well as other properties, such as slump and volume yield, of a concrete or cementitious mix used in producing a concrete.

Claims (20)

1. A method for estimating a property of a concrete comprising the steps of:

preparing a mortar mixture that comprises compounds of a cementitious mix used to prepare the concrete except that the mortar mixture is substantially free of any coarse aggregate;

casting the mortar mixture into a sample;

equilibrating the sample to a selected set of conditions;

calculating a daily weight loss of the sample; and

estimating the property of the concrete using an established correlation based on the daily weight loss.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the property is selected from the group consisting of a water vapor emission, an internal relative humidity, a required water content, a water to cementitious ratio, and any combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of curing the sample comprises the steps of:

sealing the sample to prevent any further vapor loss; and

curing the sample for a period of time.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the step of curing the sample additionally comprises the step of delaying sealing the sample for a specified period of time.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the compounds of the mortar mixture are proportioned substantially the same as the compounds of the cementitious mix.

6. The method according to claim 1 , additionally comprising the step of curing the sample before the equilibrating step.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the procedure for preparing the mortar mixture comprises the steps of

combining a sufficient amount of water with an admix to form a paste mixture;

adding a sand to the paste mixture to form a mortar mixture;

mixing the mortar mixture; and

continuing to add any additional water as the mortar mixture continues to be mixed to achieve a desired workability.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample has a surface to volume ratio of from about 0.6 in −1 to about 0.8 in −1 .

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample has a depth of about 1⅜ inches.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057495/0503 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; REDI-MIX, LLC
Reel/Frame 057301/0249 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 28, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; REDI-MIX, LLC
Reel/Frame 056698/0383 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2021
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; REDI-MIX, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056689/0697 →
RELEASE OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 24, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 056668/0969 →
RELEASE OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 24, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057571/0768 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 17, 2020
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; REDI-MIX, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052434/0213 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2015
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; REDI-MIX, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037184/0896 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 22, 2013
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTEHOLDER COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031711/0492 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2013
From: U.S. BANK NA
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 031657/0147 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 5, 2012
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 028914/0603 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2012
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; SAN DIEGO PRECAST CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 028900/0549 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 9, 2010
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.; SAN DIEGO PRECAST CONCRETE, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 024953/0788 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 2, 2010
From: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 024933/0084 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: TURPIN, RAYMOND C., JR
To: U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0774 →