# US 4,393,018 A · Method for making a concrete block > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,393,018 A - Document ID: US4393018A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/299,941 - Filed: 1981-09-08 - Granted: 1983-07-12 - Earliest claimed: 1981-09-08 - Assignees: Burrell Construction & Supply Co. - Inventors: William L. Harbaugh; Raymond S. Smetana - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393018A ## CPC - C04B 14/48: Metal - B28B 1/523: {containing metal fibres (B28B1/526, B28B1/527 take precedence)} - C04B: LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE {(roofing granules E04D7/005)}; CERAMICS (devitrified glass-ceramics C03C10/00); REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE - B28B: SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (foundry moulding B22C; working stone or stone-like material B28D; shaping of substances in a plastic state, in general B29C; making layered products not composed wholly of these substances B32B) ## Abstract A method for making metal fiber reinforced concrete block which comprises formimg a mix of aggregates to which metal fibers and the cement are added. Water is added to the mix to form a mixture which is poured into a mold having two parallel spaced apart surfaces. A stripper is advanced through the mold and frictionally engages the inner surfaces of the two parallel walls and removes the concrete block. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for making metal fiber reinforced concrete block having a pair of opposite parallel surfaces in which the deviation from parallel throughout the spacing of the surfaces is not greater than plus or minus 0.032 inches and when installed in a crib configuration the crib develops 3,000 PSI compressive strength comprising: a. providing a mold having two parallel, aligned, spaced apart inner face walls wherein the deviation from the parallel alignment of the inner face walls of the mold is not greater than plus or minus 0.032 inches; b. providing a mix as follows: (1) commencing with aggregates; (2) adding metal fibers to the aggregates and mixing them with the aggregates; and (3) then adding cement to the aggregates and metal fibers; c. adding water to the mix and forming a mixture; d. filling a mold with the mixture and compacting it in the mold to form the concrete block; and e. advancing a stripper means through the mold wherein the stripper means frictionally engages the inner surfaces of the two parallel walls and removes the concrete block from the mold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aggregates include: a. sand having a fineness modulus in a range of 2.75 to 3.00 and which is between 30% to 60% by weight of the mix; and b. gravel which is between 25% to 50% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aggregates include: a. sand having a fineness modulus in a range of 2.75 to 3.00 and which is between 30% to 60% by weight of the mix; and b. gravel 1/2 inch by 1/8 inch which is between 25% to 50% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aggregates include: a. sand having a fineness modulus in a range of 2.75 to 3.00 and which is 44% by weight of the mix; and b. gravel which is 36.7% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the metal fibers are in the range of 0.787 inches to 1.9685 inches in length and the fibers are between 1% to 4% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the metal fibers are in the range of 0.787 inches to 1.9685 inches in length and the fibers are 1.96% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the metal fibers are discretely added to the aggregates before the cement is added to the mix. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the cement is type III and between 10% to 16% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the cement is type III and is 14.8% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including adding fly ash to the mix which is between 1% to 5% of the weight of the mix. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including adding fly ash to the mix which is 2.4% by weight of the mix. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including adding a plasticizer to the mix. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including adding a plasticizer to the mix at a rate of 1.75 ounces per 100 pounds of cement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including filling the mold with the mixture and compacting it in the mold to form the concrete block, the filling and compacting is accomplished in a time period of not less than two seconds. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including allowing the block which is removed from the mold to set for 1 to 4 hours. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including applying steam heat to the block after it is removed from the mold at a rate of increase of 60.degree. F. per hour until a range of 120.degree. F. to 190.degree. F. is reached and then continuing to apply the steam for 10 hours. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including applying dry heat to the block at 180.degree. F. for 22 hours. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1 including removing heat from the block at a rate of 50.degree. F. per hour.