Easy upkeep, flexible concrete halves installation time

ConFlexPave, a strong, bendable concrete, has been developed and successfully tested by scientists at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

As the foundation for much of the world’s construction, concrete’s capabilities are under scrutiny. Projects improving the material include an augmented variant that de-ices itself and an eco-friendly version that captures carbon dioxide. Looking at ways to enhance its strength, a team from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Industrial Infrastructure Innovation Centre invented ConFlexPave. Flexible and stronger than traditional concrete, ConFlexPave bends under pressure rather than cracks.

Created by mixing polymer microfibers with traditional construction elements, the new material is much lighter and, for the first time, bendable. The combination of strength, flexibility and lightness allows pavement slabs to be precast. This could more than halve construction and installation time for large paved areas such as roads, sidewalks and parking lots.

Where else could increased flexibility lower maintenance, and thus environmental, costs?