Cementitious Composition with Water-Soluble Salts for Accelerated Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional concrete compositions face challenges with prolonged water vapor emissions, leading to delayed application of coatings and adhesives, increased construction time, and potential for moisture-related issues like mold growth and delamination.

Innovation Solution

A cementitious composition comprising hydraulic cement, a finely divided material, aggregate, superplasticizer, and water-soluble salts, which reduces water vapor emissions by enhancing water retention and inhibiting diffusion through the concrete, allowing faster surface drying and reduced humidity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional concrete compositions are used, then the concrete provides adequate strength and durability, but water vapor emissions persist for prolonged periods causing construction delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and durabilityVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the concrete composition by incorporating water-soluble salts (such as calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium carbonate) that alter the hydration process and moisture evaporation characteristics. These salts modify the chemical environment to accelerate water vapor emission while maintaining concrete integrity and strength development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cementitious material combining hydraulic cement, water-soluble salts, and optional admixtures. This composite formulation synergistically combines the binding properties of cement with the moisture-managing characteristics of the salts, achieving both structural reliability and accelerated drying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the concrete is allowed to dry naturally, then moisture-related issues are avoided, but construction time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture-related issuesVSAvoidconstruction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the naturally slow evaporation process into a beneficial accelerated drying mechanism by utilizing water-soluble salts that promote faster moisture migration and evaporation. The salts transform the harmful prolonged moisture presence into a beneficial accelerated drying process, reducing construction time while still preventing moisture-related defects through controlled moisture management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If water-based adhesives are applied to moist concrete, then proper bonding is achieved, but the concrete must dry for extended periods first

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive bondingVSAvoidwaiting period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble salts perform preliminary action by accelerating moisture removal from the concrete before adhesive application. This preliminary drying action creates optimal conditions for water-based adhesive bonding by reducing excessive moisture content that would otherwise prevent proper adhesive curing, thereby enabling timely application without compromising bond reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition accelerates the attainment of desired internal humidity and surface dryness, enabling timely application of coatings and adhesives while reducing construction delays and moisture-related problems.

Implementation Method 1

water-soluble salts, which reduces water vapor emissions by enhancing water retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

allowing the water of hydration to react with the hydraulic cement to form hydrated cement paste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration: Hydrates

Implementation Method 3

inhibiting diffusion of water through the concrete, allowing faster surface drying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion inhibition: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 4

allowing the water of hydration to react with the hydraulic cement to form hydrated cement paste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Hydrates

Implementation Method 5

the reaction products of hydraulic cement, aggregates, and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10000414B2Accelerated drying concrete compositions and methods of manufacturing thereof

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 US CONCRETE INC

AI summary

Cementitious compositions and processes for preparing and using the cementitious compositions are provided. The cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of a reduced or an attenuated water vapor emission from a cementitious mix and a concrete formed therefrom. Certain cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of accelerated drying while still maintaining good workability. Methods of improving water retention and surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggregate. In some examples, the salt may be added directly to concrete or aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.