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Thanks for a very interesting diary! Imagine the new architectural possibilities! I know one of the problems with reinforced concrete & fire was that toxins in burning carpeting or other material eroded some of the steel reinforcements even after structure seemed to have survived the fire just fine. I wonder how this new concrete would fair.

I've seen several concrete countertops and floors made of colored and/or polished concrete they look quite beautiful and nothing like the old gray concrete.

A little while ago I read about another interesting use of concrete in building emergency shelter & was able to dig up the reference. It's the "building in a bag" idea:


A pair of engineers in London have come up with a "building in a bag" -- a sack of cement-impregnated fabric. To erect the structure, all you have to do is add water to the bag and inflate it with air. Twelve hours later the Nissen-shaped shelter is dried out and ready for use.

The structure is intended to improve upon two current methods of providing emergency shelter: tents, which provide only poor protection, or prefabricated, portable buildings that are expensive and difficult to transport. Dubbed the Concrete Canvas, the shelter incorporates the best aspects of both forms. It is almost as easy to transport as a tent, but is as durable and secure as a portable building.

The inventors are engineers pursuing a master's degree in industrial design engineering at the Royal College of Art in London. William Crawford and Peter Brewin came up with the idea when they were thinking of an entry for the annual British Cement Association competition for new and innovative uses of concrete.

To see a picture click here.

by Alexandra in WMass (alexandra_wmass[a|t]yahoo[d|o|t]fr) on Wed Nov 23rd, 2005 at 10:38:14 AM EST

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