A new mixture of concrete has been developed to decrease the damage done in bomb attacks. This mix was used in the construction of the One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, Science Daily reports.
The danger posed by explosions to buildings is mainly in the debris that comes loose and goes flying. Traditional concrete is brittle, meaning that an explosive force can easily tear off chunks and fling them into the air.
This new concrete mix, developed by Dr. Stephan Hauser, Managing Director of Ducon Europe GmbH & CoKG, actually deforms instead of breaking. Very hard high-performance concrete is combined with finely-meshed reinforced steel, and when a certain threshold of pressure is exerted on the concrete, the steel ruptures and the shock is distributed uniformly throughout the concrete.
A new computational formula is what makes this possible. Researchers have developed a universal formula which allows them to rapidly compute the required thickness of the concrete for each specific application.
This formula was used in the application of the concrete to the One World Trade Center. The tower rests on a 20-story, bombproof foundation, and has "safety concrete" at vulnerable points, according to Science Daily.
Related Stories
| May 9, 2012
Shepley Bulfinch given IIDA Design award for Woodruff Library?
The design challenges included creating an entry sequence to orient patrons and highlight services; establishing a sense of identity visible from the exterior; and providing a flexible extended-hours access for part of the learning commons.
| May 9, 2012
Construction Defect Symposium will examine strategies for reducing litigation costs
July event in Key West will target decision makers in the insurance and construction industries.
| May 8, 2012
WDMA and AAMA release window, door & skylight market studies
Historic data for 2006 through 2011 and forecast data for 2012 through 2015 are included in the report.
| May 8, 2012
Gensler & J.C. Anderson team for pro bono high school project in Chicago
City Year representatives came to Gensler for their assistance in the transformation of the organization’s offices within Orr Academy High School, which also serve as an academic and social gathering space for students and corps members.
| May 8, 2012
Skanska USA hires Zamrowski as senior project manager
In his new role at Skanska, Zamrowski will serve as the day-to-day on-site contact for select Pennsylvania-based projects during all phases of construction.
| May 8, 2012
Morgan/Harbour completes three projects at Columbia Centre
Projects completed on behalf of property owner, White Oak Realty Partners, LLC, Pearlmark Realty Partners, LLC and Angelo Gordon & Co.
| May 7, 2012
4 more trends in higher-education facilities
Our series on college buildings continues with a look at new classroom designs, flexible space, collaboration areas, and the evolving role of the university library.
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: TD Ameritrade Park
The new stadium for the College World Series in Omaha combines big-league amenities within a traditional minor league atmosphere.
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
A new military hospital invokes evidence-based design to create a LEED-certified facility for the nation’s soldiers and their families.
