Building Materials Of The Future

Plastic, carbon and glass are replacing steel in bridges. Are these the building materials of the future?

1 minute read

September 7, 2001, 6:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"It doesn't look much different from California's other arroyo crossings, but peek under the deck of the Kings Stormwater Channel Bridge on Route 86 in Riverside County and you'll find something surprising: plastic, carbon and glass where steel girders and reinforced concrete ought to be. The California Department of Transportation's recent completion of the bridge could mark the beginning of a move away from traditional construction materials in favor of lightweight, rugged composites."

Thanks to Technology Review Newsletter

Wednesday, September 5, 2001 in Technology Review

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