Bent Concrete– A Revolutionary Building Material

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, are currently developing a type of concrete that can flex and bend. Could this material bring about a revolution in the construction industry?

 Concrete, a material formed by combining cement, aggregates like gravel, sand, and water, has been used since ancient Roman times to construct structures for their empire. It became widely used in construction from 1870 onwards, especially with the advent of reinforced concrete. However, over the centuries, concrete has shown some drawbacks, such as its heavy weight, limited flexibility, and significant environmental pollution.

The extensive use of concrete as the primary construction material has caused severe environmental pollution. In cities like Beijing, the world's largest construction site, the haze is not only formed by vehicle emissions but also from the numerous construction sites within the city.

 The introduction of glass fiber-reinforced concrete was a turning point, as it offered a lighter and more moldable alternative. However, its load-bearing capacity and environmental friendliness remained to be improved.

 In this context, researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have successfully developed a concrete called ConFlexPave, which exhibits exceptional flexural strength and minimizes environmental emissions.

 Comprising cement, sand, and crushed stones with added superplasticizers and quick-setting support agents, ConFlexPave is reinforced with polymer fibers to enhance its load-bearing capacity while maintaining its flexibility.

"This newly developed concrete can withstand impacts over four times better than traditional concrete. Its flexibility allows for prefabrication, reducing labor costs and minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, due to the use of crushed sand and stones and the support from polymer fibers, this concrete type is much thinner than conventional concrete," according to Professor Chu Jan, the project's lead researcher.

 Although it will take some time before this concrete type is widely adopted, its exceptional properties hold great promise for the future of construction and architecture.

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