Fiberglass Lighthouse
02/17/00 The Ship Island Lighthouse is being retrofitted with a fiberglass replica of the original cupola. Smart Concrete
02/14/00 Adding 0.5% carbon fiber to concrete increases its electrical conductivity. Applying a load reduces that conductivity, allowing structures to act as sensors.
Housing Materials
11/05/99 Much of the new technology in a Philadelphia model home is related to materials: composite lumber; latex foam sealent; and flexible piping. MacKay Renovation
10/13/99 A developer plans to make the MacKay Tower in Anchorage safe once again, in part by anchoring the footings 40 feet deep with carbon fiber rods. $1.95-$3.00 Architectural Urethane
09/30/99 Urethane castings are gaining acceptance as a replacement for fancy wood or plaster trims. $1.50-$2.95 Earthquake-Resistant Concrete
09/17/99 A North Caroline State University engineer has developed a steel-fiber mat reinforced concrete that crumbles upon failure rather than breaking into large chunks. New Glass Insulator
09/03/99 Researchers in Germany have developed a non-fibrous glass material that can be used for acoustic and thermal insulation in buildings. Interior Concrete
09/02/99 Specialty formulations allow concrete to be used on everything from floors to countertops to windowsills. Preventing Rebar Rust
08/30/99 An overview of how the rebar in reinforced concrete rusts, and what can be done to protect it. Carbon Reinforcements for Concrete
08/29/99 Penn State researches have developed a cost-effective method for manufacturing concrete reinforcing grids from carbon fiber. Plastic Pothole Repairs
08/27/99 A new pothole repair system using a plastic liner and plastic rebar gives repairs a ten year lifetime instead of the usual six or nine months. DoC Advanced Technology Program (ATP)
08/03/99 In response to an editorial in the Christian Science Monitor attacking the Department of Commerce's ATP, a reader cites a composite bridge project in defense of the program. Carbon Bridge in Milwaukee
07/29/99 The preliminary design of a pedestrian bridge in Milwaukee calls for a carbon composite structure. Offshore Drainage System
07/28/99 Using a new Brunswick hybrid composite, Hardcore Composites designed a support structure for an offshore drainage system. More marketing hype than technical content. Synthetic Boardwalks
07/07/99 More and more boardwalks are being replaced with wood alternatives such as Trex. Reviews from the public have been mixed. Earthquake Resistant Structures
06/22/99 Using a two-layered composite, one layer sacrificial and the other structural, a University of Arizona researcher has developed a new type of earthquake resistant structure. Super Pavement
06/22/99 Advances in asphalt compounding should make roads more durable. Composite Bridges in Ohio
06/15/99 The National Composites Center in Ohio is trying to get funding to build 100 composite bridges in that state. At least four companies have expressed interest in relocating to support the program. Smart Concrete
05/26/99 By embedding short carbon fibers in concrete, University of Buffalo researchers are able to monitor strain. Potential applications include vehicle sensing and vibration monitoring. ChoiceDek Boardwalk
05/19/99 A 4-H center in Arkansas unveiled a new boardwalk made from ChoiceDek, a composite decking made from recycled plastic and wood fiber. Houston Architect Uses Composites
04/13/99 A University of Houston architect is building two experimental houses using composites made from recycled materials, as well as other non-traditional materials. Plastic Pothole Fillers
04/13/99 The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the American Plastics Council have developed a plastic-filled asphalt for pothole repairs. The plastics come from old computers and peripherals. Utah Bridge Repairs
04/05/99 Utah will begin repairing bridges along I-80 this summer. Carbon fiber overwraps may be used on some of the bridges. Fiberglass Guardrails
03/30/99 Lawrence Bank of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a new fiberglass guardrail which is safer than steel rails and costs less when installation is considered. Stadium Roof Tears
01/21/99 A large portion of the Olympic Stadium roof in Montreal tore under snow loads. The outer layer of the roof is made from Teflon-coated fiberglass. Related story.
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