The Future is Plastic ... Bridges

ches_grin writes "BusinessWeek reports on the latest in bridge-building technology, where new materials and techniques are allowing bridges to be built in places that were previously thought impossible. New plastics are allowing bridges to be lighter and stronger than concrete, and 'using cables and new suspension techniques, these bridges traverse bodies of water that were once too deep, too soft-floored, or too earthquake-prone for conventional methods.' The article also includes a slideshow of some of the most innovative bridges, some still under construction."

Comments

Recycling

[Detritus]

Have they thought about the long term environmental impact of these bridges? Concrete and steel can be recycled.

I was watching a television show on airplane junkyards, and they mentioned that they can't do much with the plastic and carbon-fiber composite parts that are common in newer airplanes.

Re:Recycling

[RoffleTheWaffle]

Presumably, one of these plastic bridges is going to stick around for a very, very long time. The only time we'd have to worry about recycling or disposing of a plastic bridge is if it completely fails and collapses. Depending on what the bridge is made of, the materials from the bridge may or may not be recycled - I'm sure there's a way, though. In the very least, it can be ground up into tiny bits and used for insulation or something.

That said, I don't think anyone is wondering what we're going to do with the Golden Gate Bridge once we're done with it. Structures like these are made to last, not to be thrown away.

Re:If an airplane's 'black box' is indestructible.

[multimediavt]

I would also like to know how long-term UV exposure affects the structural properties of this material. Most plastics and polymers break down over time with prolonged UV exposure. Of course, it is being built in England, not known for its overly sunny climate.

Re:Yes... Plastic... There's a "Good Idea"

[Anonymous Coward]

The princeton source you link to only takes into account current methods and sources. Basically, he looks at the rate at which new sites are discovered and notices that it is dwindling. Hopefully he takes into account the length a field is useable, too, but he doesn't mention if he does. He definitely does not take into account oil already known to be located in shale deposits and tar sands, which are more expensive to retrieve but theoretically triple the available extractable oil.

Also, as others have noted, oil is not the only way to make plastics.

Also, as I've been trying to point out to others, THIS ISN'T PLASTIC! It's composites, which may contain plastics, but the journalist who wrote the article really has no clue.