UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN, USA. Super concrete that can produce stronger buildings. Also, they provide higher ductility. This means that it has the ability to be deformed or bent without losing its strength. This is an innovation that can immensely change the world’s infrastructure.
Infrastructure like buildings and bridges are not impervious to earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons and other man-made or natural calamities. It is a dream come true to be living in a house that is invincible and impenetrable by natural disasters. This would definitely take a lot of stress to any human being. Being safe and secure in any infrastructure is an ideal scenario to be in.
The researchers from the University of Michigan’s School for Civil and Engineering are inspired to develop a concrete that is stronger than the typical and conventional concrete being sold in the market. The concrete that they are developing has a rare ability of being bent or deformed. The most commendable part is that the concrete’s strength is not being affected at all.
The researchers collaborated with the United States Army. The material they are developing has a compressive strength that is at least 2-3 times higher than the typical concrete. Also, its tensile ductility is more than 3 percent, that is like 300 times more than the usual high strength concrete.
Professor Victor Li said that the concrete’s high ductility made it impervious to fracturing. Conventional concrete has embedded steel re-bar that corrodes and is the major cause for the concrete to fracture. Once perfected, the target infrastructures for this super concrete are buildings and bridges.
| Invention | Super Concrete |
|---|---|
| Organization | University of Michigan, Michigan, USA |
| Researcher | Professor Victor Li and United States Army |
| Field(s) | Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Product Design & Development, Super Concrete |
| Further Information | Smart Planet |
