FiberCore Europe in conjunction with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft, The Netherlands), recently completed a world first by manufacturing an FRP composite bridge using bio-resins, the structure being 15 metres in length by 2 metres wide.  

Basalt fibres and bio-based polyester resin are the main raw ingredients in the bridge – basalt fibres are extracted from basalt rock, the igneous volcanic rock that is created by the solidification of lava. The polyester resin used is partly of natural origin whereby vegetable glycerine is a key part of the process classing it as a bio-resin.

The end result is a high performance structure, expected to last at least 100 years with only a very basic maintenance requirement that is made mainly from natural materials and is 100% recyclable at the end of it useful life.

SIS is proud to partner with such an innovative and sustainably minded Company in Europe and look forward to bringing this technology to Australia & New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.

SIS FiberCore® SUREbridge® – Sustainable Refurbishment of Existing Bridges using FRP – Now available in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.

In line with our Company vision statement, that begins with the following sentence: ‘Sustainable infrastructure is not just about new infrastructure, it is about rehabilitation, reuse or the optimisation of existing infrastructure, which is consistent with the principles of sustainability and sustainable product development, whether it be from civil infrastructure to mining sectors.’, SIS is proud to announce the arrival of the SUREbridge® system into the markets we serve.

SUREbridge® was developed to address the growing need to restore, widen and add pedestrian / shared path access to existing concrete road structures that are aesthetically pleasing  and financially attractive. 

There are many advantages to stakeholders adopting this technology where it is suitably applicable including not having to demolish an existing structure, increased strength and stiffness of the structure, extension of the assets service life of 50 years and beyond, all the while without the risk of fatigue, corrosion and delamination by using the patented InfraCore® inside technology. 

Contact SIS to request a copy of our SUREbridge® brochure or to discuss your project by email: service@sisau.com.au or call 1300 261 074 in Australia or +61 8 7007 0441 from overseas

A recent project completed by LifeSpan Structures (UK) shows just how attractive our bridge soffits can look. This structure shows the clean lines and lack of steel, concrete or timber girders that in so many instances can take away from the aesthetics of the bridge and surrounds.

A lower deck construction height compared to more traditional materials and the reduced weight of FRP bridges simplified the installation. The new bridge deck was designed to work in conjunction with the crash protection barriers which were installed at the same time and add to the 1000+ FiberCore FRP Composite bridges and bridge decks that are installed around the world today including Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Poland, UK, USA and China. 

SIS proudly represents FiberCore in Oceania, please contact us today to discuss your project needs, request a hard copy catalogue and product sample.

Product Showcase – SIS FiberCore Single Element FRP Truss Bridge – 

The SIS FiberCore Single Element FRP Truss Bridge is a streamlined, composite truss bridge which is impervious to corrosion, oil and chemicals. With a 100 year design life and minimal maintenance requirements under even the most extreme conditions, this bridge provides stakeholders with the best single element pedestrian structure available in the world today. The bridge is one fully integrated structure in which exposed, high-maintenance bolted or bonded connections are eliminated. These lightweight bridges are available with a clear internal width of 1.5 metres and a single span of up to 36 metres.

The SIS FiberCore Single Element FRP Truss Bridge can be supplied with a great deal of customisation including different lengths, different colours with integrated cable protection piping, LED lighting, shore-based power units, movement sensors and integrated access gates.

These high-tech bridges are ideal as fixed abutment to floating marinas / pontoons bridges, general use pedestrian bridges and escape / emergency use bridges and are engineered to all required codes and standards to ensure the highest level of safety and performance. They are non-conductive and we can tailor fire properties to specific customer requirements.

Contact SIS today for further information or to discuss your project.

SISCO-FC FRP Fixings for Geoscience Australia, Macquarie Island – Sub Antarctic

After rigorous sample testing, SIS have supplied Geoscience Australia in conjunction with the Australian Antarctic Division with a shipment of SISCo-FC FRP Fixings, that included large diameter threaded rod, hexagonal flanged nuts and accessories. Geoscience Australia has a magnetic observatory (making it mandatory that our materials were 100% non ferrous) on the island and undertakes seismological measurements and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has a radionuclide station installed to detect nuclear explosions and the illegal release of toxic gases present into the atmosphere.

The Antarctic division’s website describes the station as an “important global monitoring location for scientific research, including monitoring southern hemisphere climatic data.”

Ecologist Melissa Houghton has been going to Macquarie Island since 2010 and continues work on projects there. “The contribution of Macquarie Island in terms of science is just enormous,” she said. “Macquarie Island is one of the world’s natural wonders, it is a magic place – people who have been down there are very passionate about it. “It’s raw. The place is literally a piece of the Earth’s crust thrust out of the ocean and you’ve got these giant petrels wheeling about like pterodactyls. It’s primordial. Every day is a tempest. You just feel so alive, so lucky.”

Last week SIS Project Director, Luigi Rossi visited FiberCore Europe in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Luigi spent a week studying the manufacturing process and working through a range of exciting upcoming projects for SIS in Oceania. Luigi is pictured with the founders of the patented InfraCore Technology, Simon de Jong and Jan Peeters – Global pioneers in composite fibre technology. InfraCore Technology is the backbone of all FiberCore FRP Composite Bridges.

SIS & FiberCore Europe have just completed the fabrication, supply & installation of 4 FRP composite golf bridges within the Australian & New Zealand marketplace. An exciting time for #composites in infrastructure with product design life of 100 years. A very satisfied customer, The Castle Hill Country Club in Sydney, Australia – the video says it all! Excellence in Engineered Composite Bridges. 

SIS Visits Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands

Last week, our Director – Structures, Nick Wotton visited the Technical University of Delft in The Netherlands and met with Dr. Marko Pavlovic – Assistant Professor of Steel & Composite Structures – Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. TU Delft is ranked 4th in the 2019 QS World Rankings in Civil Engineering and is a global leader in Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite engineering.

Nick was given a tour of one of the world’s most unique FRP Composite test facilities at TU Delft where they have developed the Hexapod. Weighing in at approximately 60 tonnes, it is also referred to as ‘The Beast’. The machine is multi-axial, which means it can move in six directions. The facility has vast experience in development and testing Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites and offers the World’s only dedicated course in FRP – Composites in Structural Engineering.

TU Delft’s laboratories have been involved in the development of a bio-resin FRP Composite bridge made out of flax and resins derived from plants. It is the first time this bio composite material has been used on this scale and is a giant leap forward to promote more eco-friendly construction materials. SIS technical professionals are working with TU Delft and FiberCore Europe to bring these technologies to the Oceania region as we move in to our next phase of manufacturing in Australia. 

FiberCore SIS Bridge for The Municipality of Rotterdam

FiberCore Europe have recently manufactured and supplied an 18 metre clear-span, 5m wide FRP bridge to The Municipality of Rotterdam. This elegant prefabricated single element composite bridge is a wonderful addition to this vibrant city’s open space parklands and replaces an outdated and degrading structure.

All FiberCore SIS bridges require almost zero maintenance and will last at least 100 years. A smart, sustainable and advantageous choice by the Municipality.