Clearly, innovative approaches to addressing this problem are required. A persistent weakness in bridge integrity is steel rebar’s tendency to corrode and ruin an otherwise sound structure. A new tool in engineer’s kit is a corrosion-free bridge deck design constructed with precast concrete deck panels (the load-bearing portion on which vehicles travel) and support beams. These precast panels and support beams feature fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) instead of corrosion-prone steel rebar. Additionally, studies have shown that the elastitude of concrete and FRPs is more closely matched than concrete and rebar, reducing concrete stress and cracking. Expected bridge design life increases from 40 to 100 years, which would result in significant cost reduction over the life of the bridge. A reliable technology in service in bridges in Canada (ON, NS, BC & MB) and USA (Ames, Iowa).

Reinforced concrete structures susceptible to rebar corrosion such as bridges, parking lot and garage floors, roofs etc.

Patent protected technology available for licensing.

• American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $1.6 trillion is needed over five years to bring just the existing infrastructure in the United States into good repair. (Source: The Economist)

• The 590,790 bridges in the United States constitute one of the costliest elements of the public infrastructure system, which is telling when one considers the fact that 27% of all bridges are deemed structurally deficient. (Source: American Society for Civil Engineers).

Raja B. Singh, M.D., M.Sc.
Technology Manager
204-474-8966
raja_singh@umanitoba.ca