Manfred Curbach, director of the Institute of Concrete Construction at Technical University Dresden, another industry veteran and advocate of the use of advanced materials in construction, stated that composite components are more durable and better for the environment, saving up to 70% in greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Curbach added that the cost of carbon fiber reinforced concrete is comparable to steel when labor, equipment, manufacturing, and transportation are figured in, with both costing $13-15 per kilogram to produce.
The construction industry has been slow to adopt lighter weight reinforcement materials because of regulations and because of the history of using steel and concrete. Both Mr. Mobasher and Mr. Curbach remain hopeful that carbon fiber reinforced materials could be adopted for more use in the future. Mr. Mobasher noted that he has seen some interest in using carbon fiber reinforced materials for quick repair work within damaged infrastructure in the U.S., and Mr. Curbach added that it could take 20 years, and would require changes in regulations, but companies in China and Israel are already showing interest.
