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Polymer concrete tunnel guides newts to safety
Plastic body panels reduce electric car’s mass US CAR manufacturer, General Motors (GM), says that there are four reasons why it chose to use composites in the exterior body panels of its recently released, purpose-built, electric car, the EVl. The first is the major mass reduction, in comparison with a steel body. Composites also helped to create the aerodynamic shape that was needed for maximum efficiency. Corrosion and dent resistance add two more incentives. The company chose two different types of materials to suit its specific needs. ,Sheet moulding compound (SMC) is used for the bonnet, doors and roof. And the EVl’s belly pans are moulded in structural reaction injection moulded (SRIM) polyurethane. According to GM, the advantage of an outer body moulded in high performance composite plastic materials is that it is light in weight yet tough enough to resist impacts. Corrosion is never a concern during the life of the
vehicle, and since every panel, except the roof, is attached to the car with normal fasteners, body repairs are straightforward. The use of hollow glass beads as a filler material helps trim the mass of SMC pieces by 30%. Recycling procedures are already in place to reuse the plastic materials that go into the EVl’s outer body. Roughly 10% of their composition comes from ground-up plastic stock, so this car has a positive environmental impact in its initial construction, throughout its useful life, and when its days on the road are finally done. GM says that it has built and sold more car bodies with advanced composite construction than any other manufacturer in the world. During the last four decades, Corvettes, Fieros, Saturns, Camaros, Firebirds, and APV minivans have all benefited from the use of composite materials. Dan Andreuzzi, General Motors; tel: + 1-81068O- 53 72.
SMC is used for the bonnet, doors and roof of General Motors’ EVI electric car.
Reinforced
Plastics
February
1997
Polymer concrete tunnel guides newts to safety
AC0 Cranfield’s tunnelling, made from strong, durable polymer concrete offers a safe passage to great crested newts. POLYMER concrete tunnelling manufactured by UK-based AC0 Cranf-Ield Ltd is allowing the members of a colony of great crested newts to travel safely beneath a car park to their traditional foraging area. The unusually large colony is centred on a pond just off the A4 road at Taplow, UK. Unfortunately the pond is within a commercial development site and the planned expansion of the local car park and access road had appeared, at one time, to threaten the habitat. However, under strict ecological supervision, the entire newt population was relocated to an adjoining site, and a plastic fence was erected to prevent the amphibians from entering the dangerous area.
The 50 m long tunnel is made from a strong, durable polymer concrete that does not absorb water in the same way as cement-based concrete. Also it is said to be more comfortable for the amphibians to move along. The top of the tunnel lies flush with the road surface and slots allow air, moisture and light to enter the tunnel, helping to keep the micro-climate within it similar to that outside. The Taplow scheme is well under way and construction and installation work is at an advanced stage. The newt population is safe and is now enjoying a well earned hibernation. AC0 Cranfield Ltd; tel: + 44- 1234- 751888; fax: + 44- 1234- 751999.
vehicle, and since every panel, except the roof, is attached to the car with normal fasteners, body repairs are straightforward. The use of hollow glass beads as a filler material helps trim the mass of SMC pieces by 30%. Recycling procedures are already in place to reuse the plastic materials that go into the EVl’s outer body. Roughly 10% of their composition comes from ground-up plastic stock, so this car has a positive environmental impact in its initial construction, throughout its useful life, and when its days on the road are finally done. GM says that it has built and sold more car bodies with advanced composite construction than any other manufacturer in the world. During the last four decades, Corvettes, Fieros, Saturns, Camaros, Firebirds, and APV minivans have all benefited from the use of composite materials. Dan Andreuzzi, General Motors; tel: + 1-81068O- 53 72.
SMC is used for the bonnet, doors and roof of General Motors’ EVI electric car.
Reinforced
Plastics
February
1997
Polymer concrete tunnel guides newts to safety
AC0 Cranfield’s tunnelling, made from strong, durable polymer concrete offers a safe passage to great crested newts. POLYMER concrete tunnelling manufactured by UK-based AC0 Cranf-Ield Ltd is allowing the members of a colony of great crested newts to travel safely beneath a car park to their traditional foraging area. The unusually large colony is centred on a pond just off the A4 road at Taplow, UK. Unfortunately the pond is within a commercial development site and the planned expansion of the local car park and access road had appeared, at one time, to threaten the habitat. However, under strict ecological supervision, the entire newt population was relocated to an adjoining site, and a plastic fence was erected to prevent the amphibians from entering the dangerous area.
The 50 m long tunnel is made from a strong, durable polymer concrete that does not absorb water in the same way as cement-based concrete. Also it is said to be more comfortable for the amphibians to move along. The top of the tunnel lies flush with the road surface and slots allow air, moisture and light to enter the tunnel, helping to keep the micro-climate within it similar to that outside. The Taplow scheme is well under way and construction and installation work is at an advanced stage. The newt population is safe and is now enjoying a well earned hibernation. AC0 Cranfield Ltd; tel: + 44- 1234- 751888; fax: + 44- 1234- 751999.