Patent ID: 7067002

Claim:
A method of improving the properties of a cementitious mixture, wherein said method comprises the steps of: a. providing a cementitious mixture; b. providing unitized fibrous constructs, each of said unitized fibrous constructs being comprised of: i. two or more reinforcing fibrous components; ii. one or more circumferential retaining elements; iii. wherein said reinforcing fibrous components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element extends spirally and circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing fibrous components, said circumferential retaining element circumscribing no more than 80% of the total circumferential surface area of said unitized fibrous constructs; c. adding into said cementitious mixture a quantity of unitized fibrous constructs so as to form a cementitious mixture and unitized fibrous construct blend; and d. mechanically agitating said cementitious mixture/unitized fibrous construct blend so as to disrupt said circumferential retaining elements and disperse said reinforcing fibrous components into said cementitious mixture.