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.

Comments

More statisitics than a soap ad

[gvc]

500 times more resistant to cracking

The bridge is 40 percent lighter than traditional concrete

he ECC is 37 percent less expensive,

consumes 40 percent less energy,

produces 39 percent less carbon dioxide

findings are based on the assumption that ECC lasts twice as long as regular concrete, a reasonable assumption given the known information, but it must be confirmed through further study.

What exactly does "500 times as flexible" mean? How can a bridge be lighter than concrete?

Read the last point carefully. A self-serving press release based on conjecture. I understand why U. Mich. would write such a thing, but why would physorg.com and /. regurgitate it?