Graphene infused concrete: A building block of a better future

Graphene infused concrete: A building block of a better future

With the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma just a few days away, and the destruction it brought fresh in our minds, we’ve been reflecting on our role as civil engineers as it relates to storm prep. We’re called upon to build infrastructure projects that can survive these harsh conditions while providing sustainable urbanization to our community. So often our imaginations and intellect allow us to find new solutions to old problems, only to be limited by the raw materials available to build such designs. However, new advances in building materials are opening the door to even more creative solutions.

Take, for instance, the recent article we read on ScienceDaily regarding graphene-reinforced concrete. This new composite is “an absolute game changer” in the building industry, as it has been shown to be stronger and more durable than traditional concrete and also reduces the amount of materials required to make concrete by nearly 50 percent. Graphene-reinforced concrete represents a more environmentally friendly option, and using it would allow civil engineers like the ones we employ to re-evaluate the material needs of future projects, potentially saving builders both time and money. Furthermore, this new technique of integrating nanoparticles of an additional substrate into concrete could pave the way for further development and refinement of the world’s building materials. Concrete is the largest construction material by volume in the world, so this new process has the potential to drastically change the way we build and design projects of all scales.

This research-driven project showcases the kinds of solutions EnSite strives to provide and support. Graphene-reinforced concrete is a more water-resistant product that is ideal for water-logged environments like Southwest Florida. We look forward to evaluating this and other cutting-edge technologies with our building partners as we continue our quest to build smarter. Future generations are counting on us to continue to progress and build a better tomorrow. How we can help you on your next project? Give us a call at 239-226-0024.

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