Fast drying 24 hour cement?
Fast drying 24 hour cement?
It's an unspoken truth that you're not a true inhabitant of the Metro if you've never experienced the horrible traffic that can happen in the roads. Come election period, conveniently, there are always road repairs that happen. And it's not an all too happy sight of a sign that says "CAUTION: MEN AT WORK" when you're driving out in the morning, possibly late.
Road repairs take a long amount of time according to common knowledge, and being burdened with the extra effort to wake up earlier because sticking to your current routine will get you late. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has always wanted a more innovative solution to cement. Conventional cement takes three days to harden, and becomes passable. This leads to an additional burden to the riding public because the traffic gets more congested, and road squabbles much higher.
Here comes CEMEX, the Cement Expert, a Swiss company. CEMEX's research arm developed Promptis, an admixture which has fast-hardening, rapid formwork removal concrete technology. It boasts a 24 hour hardening time. Yes, that's one day of hardening. And if you're thinking that this is a miracle and that the lazy government should get to procuring this immediately, guess what: They've already used it in the road repairs of EDSA this last Holy Week!
CEMEX's Business Development Director Arturo Rodriguez stated that the there were various testing stages of the product to ensure its efficacy. It's been around for quite some time, and major countries such as the UAE, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom have used it in their airports and main highways.
Prompti's fast-hardening and cost-effective solution to one part of the traffic headache is a godsend for the DPWH. There were trials before in Limay, Bataan; Ayala Bridge, Manila; and EDSA, Pasay.
The DPWH has said that it wants to have quality infrastructure projects but without costing the strength and durability of buildings. It has always been on the lookout for new and innovative ways that will complete the construction of its projects in a faster and more efficient manner. Infrastructure is a crucial factor in economic growth.
"The DPWH is very much committed in giving the best technology and the best approach to the people, the end-users," said Rodriguez
Normally, CEMEX's Promptis can already harden in as fast as 12 to 16 hours, but they have promised a maximum time of 24 hours.
Fast drying cement used in EDSA road closure
The southbound stretch of EDSA, from Shaw Boulevard until Boni station were closed starting Wednesday night to start the pouring of the concrete. The actual discharging of 335 cubic meters of Promptis 24-hour concrete in the first section was done Thursday at exactly 8:30 a.m. This section was first evaluated to ensure it has passed the promised standards. After just 16 hours, the 335 cubic meter stretch was reopened, much less than the 24 hours promised.
Present then were DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, and DPWH Director for NCR Melvin Navarro, along with CEMEX officials. While the Promptis technology may not be entirely new to CEMEX, it was the application and usage for roads in the Philippines that made it innovative. The rapid laying of roads will expedite economic growth because people will have better access to better made roads.
It has received a government certification. Department Order (D.O.) 61 Series of 2016 or the “Standard Specification on the Use of Promptis as Concrete Accelerating Admixture to One-Day Portland Cement Concrete Pavement.”
Source: KAMI.com.gh
