Three dimensionally reinforced fabric concrete

Abstract

Reinforced cement structures are provided which are reinforced in three dimensions and comprise at least one nonwoven spatial fabric reinforcing material encapsulated in a cementitious composition which preferably has controlled water bleed characteristics. The cementitious composition comprises, for example, hydraulic cement, a gelling agent, water and optionally a dispersing agent. The nonwoven fabric reinforcing material can extend substantially throughout the whole of the cement structure. Alternatively, a plurality of reinforcing layers can be utilized in a sandwich or composite type structure in which the various reinforcing layers are separated by a layer of cementitious composition. The nonwoven fabric reinforcing material can also have, on at least one of its surfaces, a woven or non-woven scrim reinforcing material to impart additional strength properties to the structure. The structures can take the form of panels which can be cold formed into curved structures. The structures can also take the form of load-bearing structures suitable for use as roadbeds, in bridge construction and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.