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/
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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '19 edited Nov 04 '19

In Southern Canada we get tempretures that swing between -40c in the winter and +40c in the summer. Concrete on structures is constantly being touched up and any roads made of it are often in pretty rough shape. Most of them are asphalt.

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u/leno95 Nov 03 '19 edited Nov 03 '19

Asphalt, tarmac or even compressed hard core are far better surfaces than concrete in many countries.

Concrete is a wonder material until weather is a factor.

Edit: not everyone will know what hardcore means in this context; it's typically gravel/crushed concrete around 40mm in diameter used as a sub-base for roads, blinding in trenches and is the large aggregate used in concrete. In the UK it's typically called hardcore or MOT Type 1.

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u/the_original_Retro Nov 03 '19

I'd like to see how this stuff lines up though. Its nature has REALLY changed with these additions, and asphalt works so well because it has the flexibility that this stuff has.

Could be it's just as good as asphalt perhaps?

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u/WazWaz Nov 03 '19

Asphalt is recyclable. Just as well though, since its main ingredient comes from the bottom of an oil refinery so we'll run out eventually, by necessity.