Method for preparing an improved finished concrete product

A method for preparing concrete installation having improved wear-resistance, said method comprising:

• 1) A process for the preparation of a concrete installation, said process comprising the steps of:
• A) creating a concrete mix from components, said components comprising each of the following:
• a) a quantity of dry cement mix, said cement mix characterized by:
• i) a water/cement ratio value;
• wherein said ratio falls in the range of from about 0.35 wt % to about 0.65 wt %;
• and whereupon combination with b) below, the water/cement ratio is greater than the value corresponding to about 10% less than the range of from about 0.35 to about 0.65 wt % and not greater than the value corresponding to about 30% greater than the range of from about 0.35 to about 0.65 wt %,
• or
• ii) a water/cement ratio range, having an upper value and a lower value, and whereupon combination with b) below, the water/cement ratio is greater than the value corresponding to about 10% less than of the lower value and less than the value corresponding to about 30% greater than the upper value,
• or
• iii) an amount such that, whereupon combination with b) below, the water/cement ratio is in the range of from about 0.35 to 0.65 wt %;
• b) the quantity of water;
• c) a quantity of amorphous silica in the range of from about 0.1 to about 7.0 ounces per hundredweight of cement in a);
• wherein the average silica particle size is in the range of from 1 to 55 nanometers and/or wherein the surface area of the silica particles is in the range of from about 300 to about 900 m2/g;
• and
• d) a quantity of aggregate and/or a quantity of sand in the range of from about 400 to about 700 wt % bwoc;
• and
• B) wherein the water of b) is added in its entirety or in portions comprising an initial portion, comprising at least about 20 wt % of the quantity of water, and a tailwater portion;
• wherein the initial portion of water is combined with a) and the components of d) to form a first mix;
• and
• wherein the amorphous silica is added to a mix comprising a), d) and the initial portion of b) to form a second mix;
• AND
• wherein the tailwater is added to the first mix or added to the second mix or is co-added with the amorphous silica to the first mix, wherein the amorphous silica and the tailwater are, optionally, added optionally intercombined;
• and wherein 1) the first mix is agitated prior to the addition of the tailwater, after the addition of the tailwater but before the addition of the amorphous silica, and after the addition of the amorphous silica, or 2) the second mix is agitated prior to the addition of the amorphous silica, after the addition of the amorphous silica but before the addition of the tailwater, and after the addition of the tailwater, or 3) the second mix is agitated prior to co-addition of the amorphous silica and the tailwater, and whereupon the concrete mix is then agitated;
• OR
• C) wherein the quantity of water is added to a) and the components of d) to form a mix, whereupon said mix is agitated prior to the addition of the amorphous silica, whereupon the concrete mix is then agitated;
• D) pouring the concrete mix of B) or C) to form a concrete installation said concrete installation comprising an upper surface;
• E) floating the upper surface;
• F) applying, to the upper surface, a formulation comprising water;
• an alpha-hydroxy acid, a glycol alkyl ether, and a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight in the range of from about 500 to about 1500 mw to the concrete surface at a rate of between about 200 and about 2000 sq ft per gallon:
• G) performing a combination step on the upper surface;
• H) optionally, final finishing the upper surface such that its glossiness improves, and is, optionally, Grade 1;
• I) if step H), then, optionally, burnishing the upper surface, and if the surface at the final finishing of step H) is Grade 1, then, optionally, improving the surface to Grade 2 by burnishing.