r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Nov 03 '19

Chemistry Scientists replaced 40 percent of cement with rice husk cinder, limestone crushing waste, and silica sand, giving concrete a rubber-like quality, six to nine times more crack-resistant than regular concrete. It self-seals, replaces cement with plentiful waste products, and should be cheaper to use.

https://newatlas.com/materials/rubbery-crack-resistant-cement/
97.2k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

83

u/ljb23 Nov 03 '19

This should have a significant environmental upside too right? Traditional concrete is very emissions intensive to manufacture.

2

u/FredFlintston3 Nov 03 '19

But who has rice husks? Is there an enviro upside if you ship that from afar?

7

u/5757co Nov 03 '19

There are likely other organic byproducts that could be substituted for rice husks.