SAMPE Journal - July/August 2013 - (Page 5)

A Note from the Technical DirecTor Dr. Scott W. Beckwith SAMPE Journal Technical Editor swbeckwith@aol.com Composite Applications in the Infrastructure Market Aerospace applications of advanced composites materials and the necessary technologies for placing these materials into the marketplace are well known. Advances in technology continue to move into applications at a fairly rapid pace for a number of reasons, one being weight-savings as a critical necessity. Education also has played an important function in advancing materials and manufacturing technology in the aerospace market – probably more so than in the infrastructure market. If one looks at various technical conferences (SAMPE and numerous others), the quantity of actual, practical infrastructure design, materials and manufacturing applications papers and presentations are significantly lower in volume than those addressing aerospace applications. As a composites-oriented industry, the advanced composites technology has not reached a similar peak in infrastructural applications. A significant market still needs attention with potential applications yet to be realized. Civil engineering has addressed bridge deck construction, architectural constructions, concrete rebar applications, seismic applications, a number of marine applications, and other very worthwhile infrastructure applications. There are numerous applications – both new areas as well as an increased usage of composites in currently recognized “need” areas – that our composites industry can satisfy. For example, in the US alone, we have an extremely large number of outdated, old, and structurally degraded bridges, that need replacement and upgrading. Concrete, asphaltic concrete, steel, timber and decades old design technologies are inherent in most of these older structures impaired by both time and the environment. There is a pressing need for replacement. What is lacking (in addition to funding) are composites design guides and advanced composites technologies applied to the solution of the structural redesign. SAMPE has had technical presentations on this topic although interest has been low. Glass fiber and carbon fiber technologies have shown up in numerous technology developments alongside various resin systems encompassing polyesters, vinyl esters, and epoxies for the most part. Major inroads into infrastructure have still not been achieved at any significant scale. ACMA has probably had the most influence to date achieving a degree of infrastructure entry. Resources are needed in developing appropriate design and manufacturing codes for infrastructure. Civil engineers are focused strongly on codes for buildings, highways, dams, waterways, etc. because of numerous factors such as public safety, lifetime ownership, municipal codes, and government standards. The infrastructure challenges often are the fact that (a) composite materials are typically not “handbook friendly” where “standard” formulas and properties can be found, and (b) designs and manufacturing methods are extremely numerous because composites represent a high number of variable options. Those aspects should not rule out the use of advanced composites. What is needed is continuous education into composites technology at all levels within the industry and demonstrations of advanced composites infrastructure applications more frequently. The new Designer and Manufacturer of High-Performance SAMPE-ACMA event in October 2014 Prepreg-Based Honeycomb Since 1995 would be a great opportunity to showcase advanced composites within the infrastructure marketplace. www.ultracorinc.com AS9100C Certified Stan@ultracorinc.com SAMPE Journal, Volume 49, No. 4, July/August 2013 +1 925.454.3010 5 http://www.ultracorinc.com http://www.ultracorinc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - July/August 2013

SAMPE Journal - July/August 2013
Contents
President’s Message
Technical Director’s Corner
Corporate Partners
Welcome SAMPE’s Newest Members
SAMPE Proceedings
SAMPE Student Chapter Funding Awards 2012-2013
SAMPE Tech 2013|Wichita, KS
Europe News & Views
SAMPE Europe’s SETEC 13 Wuppertal, Germany
Tech Tidbits
The SAMPE Foundation
SAMPE Tech 2014|Call for Papers
SAMPE Journal Editorial Calender
SAMPE 2013 Long Beach-A Review
SAMPE 2013 Photo Gallery
Industry News
Perspectives
Advertiser’s Index
Resource Center
Membership Application
SAMPE Proceedings Order Form
Industry Events Calendar
Chapter Contacts

SAMPE Journal - July/August 2013