Future research – Part III: new requirements for civil engineering

Figure: Studio Roosegaarde

Smart Highway: the N329 highway in Oss, Netherlands. Lane markings also referred to as “glowing lines” are charged by solar irradiation during the day to glow for ten hours at night

Figure: Studio Roosegaarde

The surface of the Van Gogh cycle path is also charged by sunlight during the day to emit light during the night

Figure: Studio Roosegaarde

Figure: Siut

Berlin-based company Siut has developed elements made from UHPC. During production, light-conducting fibers are embedded in the concrete that are illuminated by just one LED per element. These fibers make it possible to display any conceivable letters or symbols on the element surface

Figure: Siut

Figure: Solaroad

Dutch company Solaroad has developed 2.5 x 3.5 m concrete slabs in which solar modules are inserted on the top side. These modules are protected by a specially designed, 10 mm thick glass layer that lets sunlight pass through, prevents soiling, and has anti-slip properties

Figure: Solaroad

A Solaroad test road in Krommenie in the province of North Holland. Stored electricity generated from solar energy is used for street lighting at night

Figure: Solaroad

Figure: Solar Roadways

US company Solar Roadways has also conceived modules for use on road surfaces

Figure: Solar Roadways

The Solar Roadways modules not only collect solar energy; they also include colored lights to provide traffic guidance to road users

Figure: Solar Roadways

Figure: Solidian

A bridge with glass-fiber reinforcement from Solidian. The next step might involve routes for pedestrians and micromobility that are elevated above existing roadways

Figure: Solidian

According to Solidian, this is the first-ever bridge built from carbon concrete, also located in Albstadt

Figure: Solidian

Figure: Fenwis/Strobel

Following the presentation of the retropolation method in BFT International 07/2015 and Part II on building construction published in BFT International 11/2015, Part III of this series of articles on research into the future deals with civil engineering. Which new frameworks, infrastructural designs and concepts for use are emerging on the horizon?

Be it roads, water and wastewater, or new functional systems: a multitude of emerging requirements will add new practical options to the future of civil engineering. Textile-reinforced concrete is one of the innovative, market-ready materials in this regard.

Mobility is one of the prime examples where innovative solutions are being sought. New vehicle “form factors” will determine the scenario; these will vary according to distances to be overcome. In the short-distance range, there will be an increasing share of one- or two-wheel rental solutions that are either electrically driven or rely on...