Jan 27 2011
Axion International (OTCBB: AXIH), producer of the world’s strongest recycled composite plastic industrial building products and railroad ties, announced today that it has been commissioned to provide its patented Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) to be used in the construction of another bridge at the U.S. Army’s Camp Mackall installation at Fort Bragg, NC.
The bridge is the third to be built entirely out of Axion’s patented product capable of supporting 70+ ton, tracked vehicles.
“Our announcement today is further testament to our client’s confidence in Axion and its unique RSC designed from 100% recycled plastic,” stated Steve Silverman, Axion’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our products are more economical to transport, install and maintain over the long haul. The experiences we’ve shared with our clients have shown – particularly at Fort Bragg – that after more than a year of constant trial under rigorous testing and challenging conditions, that our RSC will withstand all that the Military and Mother Nature can deliver.”
Demolition of the existing wood and concrete structure is complete and soil tests have been finalized. The new thermoplastic structure will be 58 feet long and 17 feet wide and will be supported by twenty-two 12-inch diameter pilings driven to a depth of between 40-55 feet. Construction of the new structure is expected to begin by February 2011.
Axion will be supplying all materials for the bridge with the exception of the stainless steel fasteners and the poured concrete for the bridge approach aprons. A partial Bill of Materials (BoM) list includes: pilings, I-beam girders, bulkheads, I-beam pile caps and 3” x 12” decking used for the surface, all made from Axion’s proprietary RSC formulations. Production for the BoM has already begun at Axion’s facility in Portland, PA, with delivery starting at the end of January.
McLaren Engineering Group of West Nyack, NY, designed the new bridge and the General Contractor for the project is WECC, based in Fayetteville, NC. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research & Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory in Champaign, IL, is administering the contract for this project.
Developed in conjunction with Rutgers University’s Materials Sciences and Engineering Department, Axion’s RSC is inert and contains no toxic materials. It is impervious to insect infestation, will never leach toxic chemicals nor warp. Because it is lighter than traditional materials, transporting RSC is less expensive and reduces energy costs. In addition, RSC is completely recyclable at the end of its functional life.
Source: http://www.axionintl.com/