Bridge to somewhereU.S. government eyes University of Maine's bridge technology

Published 18 August 2009

Researchers at the University of Maine developed a “bridge-in-a-backpack” technology — so called because of its light weight and the portability of its components; the bridge uses carbon-fiber tubes that are inflated, shaped into arches, and infused with resin before being moved into place

Last week we wrote about the University of Akron and Defense Metals Technology Center co-sponsoring design contest for titanium pedestrian bridge on university’s campus. Titanium is a strong, lightweight, virtually corrosion-proof (but expensive) metal. A high-profile venture demonstrating titanium’s feasibility in commercial infrastructure projects could spark greater demand and open new markets for titanium “Avant-garde” all-titanium span could spur other projects — and cut Pentagon’s costs.

The University of Akron is not the only institutions looking to improve bridge design and constructions. In evidence: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stopped short of making any commitments Monday afternoon before he left the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineered Wood Composite Center. He also left with a pile of bound information booklets about the center and its many projects, including the “bridge-in-a-backpack,” after he had a tour of AEWC’s Advanced Structure and Composites Center and conversations with Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Representative Mike Michaud, and AEWC director Habib Dagher.

In a brief interview after the event, LaHood said if and when the technology is found to meet standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Department of Transportation could take a more serious look at the center’s bridge arches and how they can be used around the country. “Obviously that’s a very innovative approach,” he said after watching a video and viewing demonstrations of the bridge technology. “Once [the center gets] that kind of certification or sign-off, we’ll obviously look at it.”

Bangor Daily News’s Jessica Bloch writes that LaHood’s visit, announced last week, had been in the works since Michaud met with LaHood last spring about the center’s new bridge technology and invited the secretary to UMaine. Michaud is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the same committee on which LaHood served during his own congressional term.

The “bridge-in-a-backpack” technology — so called because of its light weight and the portability of its components — uses carbon-fiber tubes that are inflated, shaped into arches, and infused with resin before being moved into place. The tubes are then filled with concrete, producing arches that are harder than steel yet resistant to corrosion.

Finally, the arches are overlaid with a fiber-reinforced decking and buried under several feet of dirt and sand.

LaHood had a chance to pick up one of the demonstration arches in the center, eliciting smiles from Baldacci and Michaud. The composites center researchers have estimated their bridge’s carbon footprint to