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Researchers Make Bendable Concrete
karvind writes "PhysOrg is reporting that scientists from University of Michigan have developed a new type of fiber-reinforced bendable concrete. The new concrete looks like regular concrete, but is 500 times more resistant to cracking and 40 percent lighter in weight. Tiny fibers that comprise about 2 percent of the mixture's volume partly account for its performance. Also, the materials in the concrete itself are designed for maximum flexibility. Because of its long life, the Engineered Cement Composites (ECC) are expected to cost less in the long run, as well." Michigan roads must make the perfect test cases for this stuff, and I look forward to their improvement.
Now finally we can see buildings that bend and shift better under harsh weather conditions such as wind and rain.
The benefits of this extend greatly beyond that as well however.
It will be intresting to see where this goes...
Michigan roads must make the perfect test cases for this stuff
Except that roads crack because water infiltrates under the surface and freezes over. I don't know many material, even 500x stronger concrete, that can withstand the force of expanding freezing water.
I think the material is more targeted toward seismic-proof constructions.
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
If the material won't bend/stretch at all, it might shatter, this new elastic concrete supposedly kand bend at least a little, so it could withstand the freezing expanding water. At least I think that the freezing expansion is not enough to stretch the new concrete to it's limits.
-Is the meaning of life vanity, or is vanity the meaning of life?
The article fails to state whether the ductility of the concrete results in elastic (returns to its original shape when load is relieved) or plastic (stays in the shape you bent it) deformation.
One would hope for the former, since structures made out of this material may look strangely 'bent' over time if it readily undergoes plastic deformation.
And one last note: is this material going to be more cost-effective than steel?
I'm Trappped at Berkeley.
Fiber reinforced materials have been around for years. Carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymers are used in many everyday applications without harm. The problem with asbestos was its crystal structure and cleavage planes, which enabled it to break down into very small (micrometer scale) fibers that were easily inhaled.
The above comment is about as insightful as saying "Cotton fiber? That seems eerily reminiscent of asbestos, better not wear clothes!" or "AIDS medicine? Wasn't thalidomide also orally available in pill form? Better not give it to pregnant women..."
Making the moon less necessary since 1998.