The County of Essex is working with the University of Windsor and MEDA Engineering to test a new construction material.
The basalt composite material has been tested at University of Windsor labs for the last five years, and is now being applied to Merrick Creek Bridge for field testing. The bridge is located on Essex Count Rd. 8 near Howard Ave. It will be evaluated on a regular basis to test the feasibility of the product.
"It's acting sort of like rebar but on the outside of the girder. So it's containing the girder itself to give it some extra strength because of all of the concrete that's been lost over the years that this bridge has been in service," says Sara Kenno, engineering manager with MEDA Engineering and Technical Services.
She says if successful, the product will extend the life of the concrete and steel structures, saving the county money and time.
"This product is cheaper than carbon fibre, and its still giving you the same strength characteristics that carbon fibre gives. It's a little bit easier to work with as well, and it is environmentally friendly," says Kenno.
Currently the material is manufactured in China, but MEDA is hopeful commercial use of the product will increase and they will be able to set up a Canadian plant within the next two to three years.
"Being able to demonstrate and show the validity of the product, what it's capable of doing in just one of its physical forms we believe is going to help turn the industry on its ear," says David Lawn, president of MEDA Engineering and Technical Services.
Lab testing of the product and the field tests are being funded through provincial government grants and MEDA Engineering and Technical Services.
