Why use composites in the construction industry?

A variety of composite materials are used to build structures such as bridges or bridge decking , window components, storage units, exterior cladding and even entire buildings. Composites are also used to reinforce concrete structures, particularly fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar as an anti-corrosive replacement to steel rebar. Composites offer lightweighting, design flexibility and durability benefits, all of which can help speed construction and improve a building’s sustainability score. Source: Composites end markets: Construction

Are composites used in construction repair?

Composites are increasingly being used to repair structures built with other materials. Target applications include bridge beams, bridge decks, parking garages and pipelines, including underground systems. Steel-reinforced concrete can be damaged by seismic events and is commonly compromised by temperature-induced contraction and expansion. This results in cracks, which permit moisture invasion, results in corrosion and spalling (expansion) of the steel rebar. That, in turn, aggravates cracking and leads, eventually, to concrete disintegration followed by structural failure. Composites are increasingly used to repair such structures at significantly less cost than new construction, and also to rehabilitate structures that must bear increasing loads beyond the structure’s rated capacity. Composites can also be used to repair product pipelines, such as natural gas and petroleum pipes at oil refineries and offshore platforms, and to rehabilitate underground storage tanks without the time and expense of excavation. Source: Materials & Processes: Composites for repair

CONSTRUCTION

Construction

AMULET project funds 24 projects in composites, CMCs, metals

Trans-European project finalists for first open call identify material and process innovations in building, aerospace and aeronautics, energy and automotive sectors.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Construction

NCC announces life cycle assessment software results for construction

Study is undertaken to better understand LCA software tools to inform composites design and product development in decarbonization initiatives.
#trends

Construction

Cleveland pedestrian drawbridge features FRP decking from Creative Composites Group

Lightweight molded panels with hybrid non-skid technology system make up the new double dutch-style bascule bridge completing Cleveland’s harbor loop.
#infrastructure

Additive Manufacturing

University of Maine unveils 100% bio-based 3D-printed home

BioHome3D, made of wood fibers and bioresins and entirely 3D printed, highlights Maine’s effort to address the need for more affordable housing.
#biomaterials #trends

Construction

CW Tech Days webinar addresses emerging composites opportunities in infrastructure, construction

Attend this Dec. 1st interactive webinar sponsored by Composites One, where experts will review and evaluate the composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in these markets.
#infrastructure

The growing role of composites in infrastructure

From bridges to rebar and pilings, composites provide installation and life cycle cost savings over steel and concrete.
#infrastructure #feature #frprebar

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Filament Winding |

Composites end markets: Utility infrastructure (2023)

For utility poles and pipes to protective structures and cell towers, composites offer advantages like corrosion resistance, durability and light weight for ease of transport and installation.
#feature #infrastructure #multitudeofmarkets

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Videos / Podcasts

Automotive

Advanced Fiberglass Industries: Composites enable innovation

September 22, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

With decades of composites design and fabrication experience, Dubai-based AFI turns problems into solutions.

Construction

CFRTP enables better, greener smartphones

July 27, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

Carbon Mobile’s “monocoque” design eliminates separate case, cover and frame, better protects electronics and simplifies disassembly.
#focusondesign #sustainability

Aerospace

Sensors: Data for next-gen composites manufacturing

March 01, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

In the quest for sustainability, sensors are reducing cycle times, energy use and waste, automating closed-loop process control and increasing knowledge to open new possibilities for intelligent manufacturing and structures.
#sensors #sustainability #SHM

Wind/Energy

Re-Wind Network successfully installs repurposed wind blade pedestrian bridge

January 31, 2022 - 1:00 PM EST

The Ireland-based, five-meter-long BladeBridge solution has undergone extensive materials and mechanical testing to ensure application suitability.
#infrastructure

Construction

Composites end markets: Civil infrastructure (2022)

December 22, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Composites continue to longer service life, reduced maintenance and faster installation, driving growth in bridges, water treatment and storage systems, rebar and other concrete reinforcement.
#infrastructure #multitudeofmarkets

Construction

Composite building systems startup launches funding round

September 13, 2021 - 10:00 AM EST

Florida-based Galexa Homes supplies pre-engineered wall, floor and roof systems built with pultruded fiberglass composites, looks to expand and move toward robotic assembly.

Automotive

CW Trending: Bucci Composites’ Andrea Bedeschi talks F1, cars, cranes and wheels

September 08, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

In the third episode of CW Trending, we chatted with Andrea Bedeschi, general manager of Bucci Composites about the company history and recent carbon fiber developments.
#cwtrending

Construction |

Composites end markets: Civil infrastructure (2023)

Growth and potential grow for wider composites adoption in bridges, rebar and other concrete reinforcement and other infrastructure applications and repair.
#Basics #regulation #frprebar

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Construction

SUREbridge project renovation underway in Norway

FiberCore Europe partner MSS implements SUREbridge, a sustainable composites method to strengthen and repair concrete bridges so that they can exist for 50+ years.
#infrastructure

Construction

Covestro, Arcesso Dynamics launch solid-surface manufacturing solution Arfinio

First use of reaction injection molding (RIM) on aliphatic polyurethanes enables complex, lightweight and seamless designs and new property combinations.

Construction

Dura Composites completes decking project for Royal Solent Yacht Club

Dura Deck Tiles enhance the club’s balcony and terrace areas, providing a lasting contemporary look with none of the installation challenges of traditional timber.

Construction

Mighty Buildings completes 3D-printed zero net energy home, expands B2B growth

Fiber-reinforced 3D-printed home incorporating the panelized Mighty Kit system is part of a future community of 40+ units designed to provide environmental and economic benefits.

Construction

IsoTruss engineers carbon fiber tower for Wyoming Bureau of Land Management

Lightweight, durable IsoTruss carbon fiber tower addresses high winds, snow and ice impacting remote Elk Mountain communications infrastructure.

Glass Fibers

Dura Composites extends d2 heavy-duty walkway range availability

Performance-improving composite walkway solutions are now available to customers in Australia and New Zealand seeking to reduce time and costs while improving safety, performance and sustainability.

Hi-Temp Resins |

Composites enable epic interior for Museum of the Future

For this one-of-a-kind lobby, AFI pioneered digital, reconfigurable molds to achieve organic-shaped, multifunctional panels and stairwell cladding.
#insidemanufacturing

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld