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Purdue University researchers have developed the world's whitest paint, with an albedo of .981. They say it could eliminate the need for air conditioning (and drive up the neat for heating). This would greatly reduce the amount of softening of asphalt that leads to rutting.
Quote from: kernals12 on October 01, 2021, 01:02:27 PMPurdue University researchers have developed the world's whitest paint, with an albedo of .981. They say it could eliminate the need for air conditioning (and drive up the neat for heating). This would greatly reduce the amount of softening of asphalt that leads to rutting. The polar opposite of Vantablack.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic in Massachusetts have found that by adding an enzyme found in human blood they can make concrete that will heal any cracks automatically within 24 hours. The enzyme reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form calcium carbonate. They say that this would increase the cost of concrete by a small amount while quadrupling its durability. This is a big deal for highway and bridge engineering. And it's a reminder that plenty of innovation in Massachusetts can come from outside 495.
Is there a word for “gadgetbahn”, except it’s for roads? I think that word would apply to most things in this thread.
A startup called Petra has come out of stealth mode with a new tunnel boring technology that melts instead of drills through rock. They are targeting underground utility lines in the short term but if it works there, it's inevitable it'll be used for larger earth moving jobs.
Quote from: kernals12 on December 10, 2021, 09:30:45 PMA startup called Petra has come out of stealth mode with a new tunnel boring technology that melts instead of drills through rock. They are targeting underground utility lines in the short term but if it works there, it's inevitable it'll be used for larger earth moving jobs.Seems like a disaster waiting to happen if they hit an unknown gas line.
technology that melts instead of drills through rock.
Quote from: kernals12 on December 10, 2021, 09:30:45 PM technology that melts instead of drills through rock. So where does this lava end up? The melted rock is going to cool and solidify sometime. It doesn't just go away.
So where does this lava end up? The melted rock is going to cool and solidify sometime. It doesn't just go away.
I suspect it is about shock cooling to form stressed glass which breaks into small pieces.
The Michigan DOT put out an interesting press release about their use of carbon fiber reinforced bridges. They're building 2 of them as part of the reconstruction of Interstate 94 in Detroit.The big benefit is that, unlike steel, carbon fiber doesn't rust, so no more concrete cancer.
Quote from: kernals12 on January 06, 2022, 11:59:34 PMThe Michigan DOT put out an interesting press release about their use of carbon fiber reinforced bridges. They're building 2 of them as part of the reconstruction of Interstate 94 in Detroit.The big benefit is that, unlike steel, carbon fiber doesn't rust, so no more concrete cancer.The carbon fiber replaces the steel inside the bridge. I've wondered why it hasn't been used before, frankly...the reduced mass would also facilitate the process (requiring a reduced physical effort, uses more efficient equipment).Only drawback is that I've heard – somewhat dubiously – that carbon fiber does tend to break down slightly over time, depending on impacts and the bonding of the composites in use. Perhaps insulating it with concrete would slow down that process, but it probably has to be a carefully-chosen material mix which will not corrode the composite matrix.
Quote from: formulanone on January 12, 2022, 09:34:13 AMQuote from: kernals12 on January 06, 2022, 11:59:34 PMThe Michigan DOT put out an interesting press release about their use of carbon fiber reinforced bridges. They're building 2 of them as part of the reconstruction of Interstate 94 in Detroit.The big benefit is that, unlike steel, carbon fiber doesn't rust, so no more concrete cancer.The carbon fiber replaces the steel inside the bridge. I've wondered why it hasn't been used before, frankly...the reduced mass would also facilitate the process (requiring a reduced physical effort, uses more efficient equipment).Only drawback is that I've heard – somewhat dubiously – that carbon fiber does tend to break down slightly over time, depending on impacts and the bonding of the composites in use. Perhaps insulating it with concrete would slow down that process, but it probably has to be a carefully-chosen material mix which will not corrode the composite matrix.The problem is carbon fiber is terrifically expensive.
Quote from: kernals12 on January 12, 2022, 01:08:22 PMQuote from: formulanone on January 12, 2022, 09:34:13 AMQuote from: kernals12 on January 06, 2022, 11:59:34 PMThe Michigan DOT put out an interesting press release about their use of carbon fiber reinforced bridges. They're building 2 of them as part of the reconstruction of Interstate 94 in Detroit.The big benefit is that, unlike steel, carbon fiber doesn't rust, so no more concrete cancer.The carbon fiber replaces the steel inside the bridge. I've wondered why it hasn't been used before, frankly...the reduced mass would also facilitate the process (requiring a reduced physical effort, uses more efficient equipment).Only drawback is that I've heard – somewhat dubiously – that carbon fiber does tend to break down slightly over time, depending on impacts and the bonding of the composites in use. Perhaps insulating it with concrete would slow down that process, but it probably has to be a carefully-chosen material mix which will not corrode the composite matrix.The problem is carbon fiber is terrifically expensive. So is having major spans closed for years just 36 years after their completion.https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bridges-stairs-and-other-structures/bridges/west-seattle-bridge-program/west-seattle-bridge-repair
The engineers battling to stop global warming ruining roads - BBCAustralia's floods of 2010-11 spread devastation and damage across Queensland, with 33 people losing their lives and causing billions in losses across the state. The floods also damaged 19,000km of roads, including those needed for emergency and delivery vehicles.It was a stark lesson in the importance of weather-proofing Queensland's most vulnerable roads, to ensure that future flooding would lead to fewer people being cut off.Since then, Queensland has been using a process called foamed bitumen stabilisation. This injects small amounts of air and cold water into hot bitumen, the sticky dark substance typically used for road surfaces.The bitumen then expands and forms a water-resistant layer. The result is a stronger yet flexible road surface or pavement that is better able to withstand flooding.