Space-Age Concrete the Answer for Failing Bridges?

The fatal collapse of a Minnesota bridge has brought renewed attention to the Army Corps of Engineers' diagnosis of over 75,000 bridges as "structurally deficient." The estimates came out last year, but were generally ignored: fixing bridges is expensive.

Two years ago, I wrote an article on environmentally friendly, next-generation concrete. At the time, United States Geological Survey cement specialist Hendrik Van Oss told me that their future was cloudy:

In the next few decades, says Van Oss, building codes will change, opening the way for innovative materials. But while new concretes may be stronger and more durable, they are also more expensive - and whether the tendency of developers and the public to focus on short-term rather than long-term costs will also change is another matter.

In the article I described a "high-tech, Willy Wonka-esque assortment of concrete confections [that] promises to be stronger, lighter, and more environmentally friendly than ever before." Maybe their time has finally come.

Environmental factoid of the day: "More than a ton of concrete is produced each year for every man, woman, and child on Earth."

More than 70,000 bridges rated deficient [Associated Press]

Concrete's future looks lighter, greener [Christian Science Monitor]
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Image: Drayke Larson*