JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012 - 47

A new composite material 100% based on renewable resources, shaping complex 3D geometries
The product innovation Biocomposite3D includes a new composite material 100% based on renewable resources (fibers and matrix), which can be shaped with limited technical effort to complex 3d geometries. On the one hand, various natural fibers (focusing on European available ones like flax, hemp, wood or cattail fibers) have been used then processed on textile machines to a non woven needled felt. On the other hand thermosetting resins have been synthesized, which are able to impregnate those mats and allow a curing of the impregnated mat on a typical carpenter press at reasonable production parameters (pressure, temperature, time).Two examples of challenging problems and the found solutions should highlight the technical difficulties of the project. Firstly the matrix based on raw materials available from European renewable resources a thermosetting polyester was synthesized with the unique production properties and technical parameters. Then the production, the biobased polyester was synthesized as a powder which shows several advantages. Considering the mentioned trend towards free shaped surfaces in furniture industry, and considering that the argumentation for sustainable products starts to influences buyers decisions, the market potential for Biocomposites 3D is really hopeful.

Biocomposites
Winner: Kompetenzzentrum Holz Gmbh, Wood K Plus (Austria) Partnership Network: SFK Tischler (Austria); University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria) Naporo Klima Dämmstoff GmbH (Austria)

The world’s longest stress ribbon bridge, using pre-tensioned CFRP cables as the main load-bearing members
The bridge is made up of 16 rows of CFRP cables running parallel to each other through the entire length of the bridge; each row includes 5 CFRP cables, each 43.4 metres in length and 42 mm in diameter. In total, 80 CFRP cables 43.4 metres in length and 42 mm in diameter were used and each cable was pre-tensioned to 70 t. The CFRP cables were fixed to the abutment using specially designed and developed pin-and-socket fittings. The stainless steel fittings were fixed inside the concrete during the construction of the abutment. The CFRP cables were manufactured using a new process developed specifically for their production under controlled workshop conditions. The advantages of composite bridge solutions include: high strength-to-weight ratio; higher resistance than concrete and steel; easy transportation and fast installation; low weight; possible installation on sites where high-capacity cranes are not available; architectural design freedom. The entire project took about 15 months for completion. At the end of 2009, the project has been accepted and the bridge has been built at the beginning of March 2011 on site at Parque de los Moralejos, Cuenca, Spain. CFRP pre-tensioned cables in infrastructures are a perfect example of cost-effective usage of com-

Construction
Winner: Acciona Infraestructuras (Spain) Partnership Network: Future Fibres (Spain); Mekano4 (Spain); Universidad de Coruña (Spain); Acciona Ingeniera; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas (Spain)

posites in civil engineering sector, and Acciona is convinced that this will open new doors in international markets.

No71 March 2012 /

jec composites magazine 47
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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012
