The Future of Concrete
Floating concrete may seem the ultimate oxymoron, but during the 17th annual ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition, 22 teams of students from throughout around the United States and Canada will prove that concrete can not only float, but can be used to build racing-caliber water crafts.The ubiquitous substance the canoes are made of also appears in construction projects around the world, but it's not your grandfather's concrete. The concrete used in today's skyscrapers and roads is the product of innovative concrete technology—technology that even today is continuing to make leaps.
Imagine a bright, light-filled living room—illuminated not by windows, but by light streaming in through the concrete walls. It's not here yet, but researchers in the United States and Europe are developing translucent concrete that can do just that. Home builders today already use concrete for its superior energy efficiency, and it's being used for decorative purposes as well. Colored concrete that can mimic slate, tile and even wood is a popular choice for pathways, patios and planters.
Practical applications of new concrete technology extend far outside the home building industry. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta recently highlighted new technologies that have radically altered road construction. Concrete that hardens within hours allows roads to accept vehicle traffic much earlier than was previously possible, reducing congestion in construction areas.
Construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the Washington, D.C., metro area, scheduled to be completed in 2011, relies heavily on new technologies. The twelve-lane bridge is being built using pre-molded concrete slabs that are fit together at the construction site and which can last 50 to 75 years before needing repairs.
High-strength concrete is now being widely used in the construction of high-rise buildings, allowing engineers to take concrete buildings higher than was imagined possible only a few years ago. Today, Chicago—long home to some of the world's tallest steel framed skyscrapers—also boasts the tallest concrete building in the United States at 969 feet.
The seemingly ordinary substance that surrounds us every day is the product of 5,000 years of evolution that continues even today. The Concrete Canoe Competition champions that evolution by daring its student participants to think outside the box to use concrete in new an imaginative ways. They are the future of engineering, and the possibilities are endless.
For more information contact Joan Buhrman at 703-295-6406 or 571-213-3812 (cell phone), or Kelly Mawby at 216-839-7071 or 216-780-5964 (cell phone). Information can also be obtained at http://www.asce.org/inside/nccc2004.
Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 133,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002.
Founded in 1909, Master Builders, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative chemical and mineral admixtures used in the production of specialty and high quality concrete used in the ready mix, precast, manufactured concrete products, paving and underground markets. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Master Builders, Inc. operates as part of Degussa Construction Chemicals, the largest manufacturer of construction chemicals worldwide. The parent company, Degussa AG, is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany and is the world's largest specialty chemical company.
Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. — "A great company to work with and a great place to work." Baker Concrete Construction Inc., was founded in 1968 in Oxford, Ohio. Baker presently operates throughout the continental United States and is committed to building upon a tradition of creating concrete solutions from concept to completion into the 21st century.
CEMEX — a leading global producer and distributor of cement, and one of the largest ready mix companies in the U.S.
U. S. Silica Company —Produces high purity silica, kaolin, aplite.
The National Building Museum is America's premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. The Museum is located at 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org.
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