look what we did!
Category: Architecture
Anyone Order A Polyurethane Sandwich?
In 2007, durable polyurethane saved a 104-year old bridge. Amazingly, polyurethane saved the bridge by making a sandwich! The design team working to repair the historic Dawson Bridge in Edmonton, Alberta recommended using the Sandwich Plate System (SPS) from Intelligent Engineering Ltd. to serve as a lightweight solution to rehabilitate the bridge.
Built in 1912, the bridge was due for a new deck. Engineers feared that traditional decking materials would be too heavy, but polyurethane offered a solution. Not only did SPS present a lighter alternative, but use of SPS would enable the bridge to be refurbished in less time and reduce the amount of stress imposed on the structure.
So how is a polyurethane sandwich made? SPS is comprised of two steel face plates sandwiching a core of polyurethane. This PU elastomer core allows SPS to absorb vibration, creating a high tolerance for impact, and to weigh up to 70% less than reinforced concrete while still being as strong and more durable.
Spanning 776 feet long and 26.8 feet wide, the Dawson Bridge is the first major bridge project to utilize SPS technology, remarkably without welding. Turns out, a sandwich can help save infrastructure, as long as the sandwich is made out of flexible, durable and incredible polyurethane!
Related Articles
As you travel in a car, bus, or train you might not give much thought to the windows and windshields…Read more
The Annual Polyurethane Innovation Award Each year, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry presents the Polyurethane Innovation Award. This honor…Read more
Name: Norman Su Age: 33 Title: New Business Development Manager Company: Huntsman Educational Background: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Business Minor, Cornell…Read more
Homeowners today are looking to maximize every square inch of their living space. As we find ourselves not just eating…Read more
As readers of this blog know, 3D printing has helped revolutionize the design and manufacturing of everything from housing to…Read more
Planning an outdoor adventure? Here are 10 items to be sure to bring for maximum comfort and fun, all thanks…Read more
Have you ever thought about what makes the seats, armrests, or headrests in your car so comfortable? What is keeping…Read more
3D printing with polyurethane is showing up in one of the most unlikely of places — baseball gloves. Baseball gloves…Read more
Fresh air, delicious food, good times — there’s a lot to love about picnic season. Thanks to polyurethane, you can…Read more
Name: Brandon Parks Age: 34 Title: Senior Scientist Company: Covestro Educational Background: BS Chemistry – Lebanon Valley College BS Biochemistry…Read more
Wheat is one of the most widely grown crops on the planet, and it’s no wonder why. Wheat is a…Read more
Replacing an existing roof can be expensive and time consuming, especially when the goal is to cover tens of thousands…Read more
Name: Stephen MartinAge: 33Title: Technical ManagerCompany: BASF CorporationEducational Background: B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan Like many young…Read more
With fall in full swing, football season is here. As your favorite teams take to the field this autumn, you…Read more
You likely know that cornhole is a favorite pastime at backyard barbecues and tailgates. But, you might be surprised to…Read more
You’ve heard of renewable energy sources like the wind and the sun, but what about a stretchy battery powered by…Read more
When it comes to spending a leisurely summer day out on the water, polyurethane plays many important roles. For example,…Read more
From the cars we drive to the mattresses we sleep on, polyurethane touches upon multiple aspects of day-to-day living —…Read more
As a young man growing up in Mexico, Jorge Vazquez says he was always curious about the world around him…Read more
This summer, we will come together in celebration and competition to crown top athletes from around the world. As these…Read more