Transport infrastructure can be much more effective at bearing heavy loads when reinforced concrete is used. However, it is also important that it can withstand the impact of vehicle accidents.
Reinforced concrete may be used in bridges, retaining walls, tunnels and other settings, where it can help strengthen the structures that roads or railways are built on. However, it also needs to be strong enough to deal with occasional collisions.
An example of why this matters was shown in a recent accident in the A38 road tunnel at Saltash in Cornwall, where a motor home and a car collided on August 13th.
Despite the incident requiring emergency service intervention and injuries being recorded, the tunnel did not sustain any significant damage and was soon open.
It is not clear if either vehicle hit the tunnel wall, but it would be very bad news for motorists if any such collision led to a road being closed for repairs. Thankfully, reinforced concrete is tough enough to prevent this in most cases. This should come as no surprise.
What Makes Reinforced Concrete Strong?
The strength of reinforced concrete walls and barriers has been extensively studied. The details of the findings are often esoteric, but the essential point is that reinforced concrete does make a very effective barrier and withstands impacts well.
Such strength is owed to a combination of factors:
- The strength of concrete itself, especially when cement is used
- The use of rebar (embedded girders) to add extra strength
- Proper curing to enable greater resistance to water and weathering, preventing cracking and corrosion.
These factors not only make reinforced concrete stronger and therefore better able to withstand impacts, but also help to maintain the condition and load-bearing strength for longer.
With experienced and skilled reinforced concrete makers providing the material for your infrastructure needs, you can expect it to last for many decades and perhaps even a century or more.
