Low carbon concrete impregnated fabric

Detailed Description:
CC is a thin, flexible concrete impregnated fabric that hardens rapidly on hydration to form a durable, water and fire proof layer. CC is a low mass, low carbon technology which uses up to 90% less material than conventional concrete for many applications including emergency shelter, flood prevention (irrigation/drainage ditches), flood protection, water storage, erosion control, emergency repair (gas pipe protection), helicopter landing pads and trackway

Know drawbacks of design:
1. Although CC uses much less concrete than conventional methods, it still relies on cement and hence there is still CO2 emitted. We are working to reduce this by using recycled materials (such as granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product from power stations) to reduce the cement content and we plan to move towards low carbon alternatives in the long term. 2. CC requires water, which in many areas is a scarce resource. However, CC uses less material than conventional concrete construction and requires much less water. Additionally the water used does not need to be potable and seawater can be used. 3. At the current stage of development the material is still relatively expensive. The speed of construction makes it cost competitive for high value applications but there is considerable scope to increase the market for CC as a substitute for conventional bulk concrete if we can reduce the price and establish production in countries with lower material, transport and labour costs

Website:
www.concretecanvas.co.uk

Designed in:
2005

Status of realization:
In production

Keywords:
disaster, emergency, environment, public space, science, security, technology

Form
CC consists of a 3-dimensional fibre matrix containing a specially formulated dry concrete mix. Easy to Use - CC is supplied in rolls, in bulk or in man portable batched lengths for applications where heavy plant equipment is not available. There is no need for mixing or measuring, the concrete is premixed and cannot be over hydrated. It will set underwater and in sea water. Unset CC can be cut or tailored using basic hand tools. Rapid – Once hydrated, CC hardens to 80% in 24 hours. This can be accelerated or retarded to suit environmental conditions. Strong - The fibre reinforcement prevents cracking, absorbs energy from impacts and provides a stable failure mode. CC is chemically resistant, has good weathering performance and will not degrade in UV. Water Proof - The PVC backing on one surface ensures that the material is completely water proof and chemically resistant. Fire Proof - CC is a ceramic and will not burn

Impact
CC is a revolutionary low mass, low carbon product that is replacing conventional concrete for many applications. It is faster, easier and construction jobs can be completed using up to 90% less material. Developed originally to rapidly provide emergency infrastructure, it has the potential to cut greenhouse gases and change the way we build. Concrete Cloth is an enabling technology, there are many more applications waiting to be invented and developed by creative people around the world to solve problems in their own communities and countries. The impact of Concrete Cloth can be measured by the saving in tonnes of CO2 where it has been used instead of conventional concrete products. Over the next 5 years the company aims to substitute its products for over 160,000T of conventional concrete reducing CO2 emissions by 135,000T

Context
Global warming is arguably the greatest environmental and social challenge of our time. It raises 3 key challenges for humanity: 1. CO2 Reduction 2. Prevention and Protection and 3. Emergency Response. 1. CC can significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the construction industry. The cement industry is the 3rd largest producer of CO2 after the energy and transportation sector and is responsible for 5% of the world’s carbon emissions. 2. CC is currently being used for flood defence, irrigation and water management. Often these projects need to be completed rapidly in response to immediate threat and on a very large scale. 3. As the frequency and scale of natural disasters increases, the speed with which it is possible to respond and the effectiveness of the response become ever more critical. CC enables damaged or inadequate infrastructure to be quickly replaced, repaired or upgraded by a durable solution, in a matter of days with a minimum of equipment, manpower and logistical resources

Other relevant information
In 2005, while at university, Peter Brewin and William Crawford invented a new way of creating buildings called Concrete Canvas Shelters. The greatest technical challenge was creating an entirely new composite, which led to Concrete Cloth. The potential of CC is enormous, not only for providing rapid infrastructure in disaster relief, but more significantly to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the construction industry and change the way in which infrastructure is built forever

Is the design protected by patent or ip registration?
Patent

How has the development of the design been financed hereunto?
External investments

Is there a plan for future investments?
Yes

Is there in-house competencies to secure market roll out of the design, with regards to investment, distribution, sales, etc.?
Yes

Designed by:
Peter Brewin, Inventor, Co-founder, Director, Concrete Canvas, United Kingdom, Cardiff, Wales., Concrete Canvas
William Crawford, Inventor, Co-founder, Director, Concrete Canvas, United Kingdom, Cardiff, Wales., Concrete Canvas
Phillip Greer, Design Engineer, Design Engineer, United Kingdom, Cardiff, Wales., Concrete Canvas

Manufactured/Produced/Commisioned by:
Concrete Canvas
www.concretecanvas.co.uk