Today I was given a tour of the Lafarge Research Center by its director, Paul Aeker, accompanied by Leopold Lombard, worldwide Director of Architectural Relations. This was an amazing experience on many levels.
First, to learn about some of their truly innovative products, such as Ductal, a ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, that enabled them to build a pedestrian bridge in Seoul, Korea 120 meters wide and with the thinness ratio of an eggshell. Another innovative product is called Extensia, "concrete without cracks", that enables huge floor areas to be poured with few joints and no rebar - and be durable enough for industrial use. http://www.lafarge.com/wps/portal/4_5_3-Produits
Second, to learn about Lafarge's wholistic approach to research and development. This is what's enabled Lafarge to make such huge breakthroughs in such a product that's been around for more than 2,000 years. Utilizing mathematicians, chemists, physicists and engineers together to understand, explore, and realize the potentials of concrete, plaster, etc, down to the nano-molecular level.
Lastly, to learn about Lafarge's research into concrete as a sustainable product. By their calculations, worldwide, concrete is by far the building product most extensively used (more than all the others combined). By making more efficient concretes, they can cut the quantity of raw material substantially, as much as in half. They are totally focused on carbon dioxide emissions, preparing life cycle analyses of their products, changing procedures in their manufacturing plants, and more. A link to more on this.
http://www.lafarge.com/wps/portal/2_3_1-Changement_climatique
For the Americans reading this, don't worry - the links are in English! For the French, the website also has versions in French, of course!
First, to learn about some of their truly innovative products, such as Ductal, a ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, that enabled them to build a pedestrian bridge in Seoul, Korea 120 meters wide and with the thinness ratio of an eggshell. Another innovative product is called Extensia, "concrete without cracks", that enables huge floor areas to be poured with few joints and no rebar - and be durable enough for industrial use. http://www.lafarge.com/wps/portal/4_5_3-Produits
Second, to learn about Lafarge's wholistic approach to research and development. This is what's enabled Lafarge to make such huge breakthroughs in such a product that's been around for more than 2,000 years. Utilizing mathematicians, chemists, physicists and engineers together to understand, explore, and realize the potentials of concrete, plaster, etc, down to the nano-molecular level.
Lastly, to learn about Lafarge's research into concrete as a sustainable product. By their calculations, worldwide, concrete is by far the building product most extensively used (more than all the others combined). By making more efficient concretes, they can cut the quantity of raw material substantially, as much as in half. They are totally focused on carbon dioxide emissions, preparing life cycle analyses of their products, changing procedures in their manufacturing plants, and more. A link to more on this.
http://www.lafarge.com/wps/portal/2_3_1-Changement_climatique
For the Americans reading this, don't worry - the links are in English! For the French, the website also has versions in French, of course!
