The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 16, 2005 - 3 'U' scientists create bendable concrete FINGER-LICKING GOOD'1 Concrete will be used on Ypsilanti bridge, could extend road and bridge lives By Ankit Sur For the Daily our bridges last longer," said Bill Shreck, a MDOT spokesperson. "This is a good opportunity for us to examine the effectiveness of the material. If it holds up it has the potential to (be) used across the state." According to Shreck, with over 10,000 bridges in the state, bend- able concrete could save the state on a plastic bag, it does not rip, but stretches. When these materials are used to reinforce concrete, they absorb some of the energy during tension, giving concrete flexibility. Li's engineering team built on this idea, using the concept of add- ing a special polymer fiber to make concrete not only more flexible, but to make it 500 times more resistant Cracks and potholes have plagued of Michigan thousands of dollars on to cracks and 40 percent li our roadways for years, but they may bridge repairs. and millions of dol- said. become a thing of the past because lars on road repairs. Even though fiber-ri of University scientists who have While traditional concrete has concrete has been around created concrete that bends. impressive strength when com- 1970's, Li's team has been Dr.. Victor Li, civil engineer- pressed, it is extremely weak under alter the internal structurt ing professor at the University and tension. In the past, scientists and crete itself. They arranged his team have developed "bendable engineers have reinforced concrete mer fibers inside concrete concrete," also known as Engi- with steel bars or mesh. While these way that when the load on 1 neering Cement Composite. ECC efforts proved to be effective, they rial is high, the fibers absot is much stronger and is also more did not end the engineers' battle very efficiently, giving it resistant to crack and other anoma- against road decay. sile strength. lies that have plagued the tradi- In the 1970's, scientists intro- Well before the bridge in tional concrete used today. Using duced fiber-reinforced concrete, ti was planned, bendable ECC to build roads would result in which contained special fibers like was used in Japan's Mihara roads that may be able to last for nylon or polypropylene and others reducing the road-deck's t ten years without repair in some to improve the tensile strength of from 230 millimeters wit areas, Li said. concrete. However, scientists soon concrete to 50 millimeters. The Michigan Department of discovered that the addition of "Even though ECC cos Transportation has wasted no time these fibers not only increased the times more than traditio enlisting the help of Li's team in tension strength but also made it crete, the material saving order to build a more resistant more flexible. an overall cost saving," Li bridge - this summer they will use The flexibility exhibited by fiber- Modern concrete is a m bendable concrete to repair a bridge reinforced concrete is due to the cement, sand, rock and wa in Ypsilanti. nature of the fiber. Nylon and other ditional concrete can cont "We are employing the use of polymers can stretch when pulled substances, such as indus ECC to save money and to make apart - that's why when you pull which alter its properties. B-school receives $10 milli( ghter, Li einforced since the m able to e of con- the poly- in such a the mate- rb energy high ten- Ypsilan- concrete a Bridge, thickness th typical , Li said. sts three nal con- leads to said. ixture of ater. Tra- ain other trial ash, TOMMASO GOMEZ/Daily Medical student Kevin Kia participates in a rib eating contest to benefit cystic fibrosis at Damon's Grill last Tuesday. Kla, who won the contest by eating 48 ribs in 10 minutes, holds two state records in eating contests, one for eating 14 tacos in two minutes and the other for eating seven pounds of burritos in 10 minutes. By Rebekah Hodge For the Daily 1 The newly expanded undergradu- ate program of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business received a $10 million donation. Thomas C. Jones made the contribution and said his intention was to provide the students with more real-world experiences pertaining to their business or mar- keting programs. Jones said his goal for the donation is to integrate a more advanced MBA- like program at the undergraduate level. "It is my hope and intent that the resources provided by this endowment will enable the Ross School to offer to future generations of undergraduate business students an exceptional edu- cational experience unattainable with- out this support," Jones said. Traditionally, Business students have spent their first two years in the Col- lege of Literature, Science and the Arts before applying to the Ross School where they transfer in as juniors. However, the Ross School recently established a new three-year bachelor of business admin- istration program that allows students to enter the program in their sophomore year. This will allow students to study business fundamentals earlier in their undergraduate career in order to take upper-level LSA and business courses as upperclassmen. ate from Ross School of Business, sai Jones said he hoped that his dona- that while he did not feel that there wa tion will provide more action-based a lack of opportunity during his experi learning, with emphasis on courses that ence, he was excited by the prospect o integrate the necessary skills to solve additional resources. complex business problems. For exam- "I hope that this gift can provid ple, a potential course for undergradu- opportunities outside the classroom ates would be "Strategic Management like technological and research advanc of Knowledge in Professional Services es." Mirmelstein said. Firms" where the students will be Jones recalled his own experiences a involved in a business case competition a business student at the University. with real company's executives. "The "I wouldn't be the person I as Corporation in Society" course would today without the guidance and sup allow students to visit companies and port I received from the Michiga other organizations abroad and study faculty and staff." he said. business issues. "Students won't just live in a world of finance or management. They'll have a complete educational experience that N s o M integrates all business disciplines to meet the real world challenges," Jones said. Jeffery Mirmelstein, a recent gradu- d as -i- of e n, c- as m p- n TO GO ONIAN INITERNIATIONIAL VACATIONI? AIRBARGAINSCOM HAS THE BEST AND CHEAPEST AIRFARE PRICES!