New bridges made of wood, concrete save money, nature
Source：businessinfo
From：Taiwan Trade Center, Warsaw
Update Time：2023/06/19
Czech researchers have figured out how to save money in the design and construction of bridge structures by effectively combining wood and high-quality concrete, and at the same time, making a significant contribution to environmental protection.
The economic benefits include not only reducing the cost of purchasing the structure but also, thanks to the innovative solution, extending the lifetime of the structures as long as twice without the need for additional maintenance costs. Experts from the academic, public, and private sectors collaborated on this project at an estimated budget of almost CZK 9 million (about EUR 382,000).
The results of the project solution have already been directly used in the preparation of two experimental bridge structures and one footbridge for a private investor. The uniqueness of the solution lies in the use of a combination of a durable wooden glued rod element and a plate element made of cement composite -- high-value concrete.
The direct costs of purchasing the structure are lowered, and, thanks to the properties of the high-quality concrete used, the costs of follow-up maintenance during the entire planned lifetime of the structure are also decreased.
Wood is a natural, renewable material, and if it is protected against moisture, it can then be seen as highly durable material to use.
By using this new method, a long service life of the structure is achieved, while the total volume of concrete produced is reduced, and thus CO2 emissions, which contribute to global warming, are reduced.
The results of the project also lead to improvement in the design, implementation, and management of bridge structures. Finally, the efficiency and speed of using this combination increases by around 20% compared with standard methods, according to the team.
Source: https://www.businessinfo.cz/clanky/nove-mosty-ze-dreva-a-betonu-setri-penize-i-prirodu/