Concrete on a Roll for Structural Reinforcement

Q: What are the unique technological qualities of Concrete Canvas and what added value has it brought to Mexico’s top industries?

A: Concrete Canvas originates from the UK and has launched a revolutionary new construction material called Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCM), a flexible, concrete impregnated fabric that hardens when water is poured onto it to form a thin, durable, waterproof and fire resistant concrete layer. In simple terms, it is concrete on a roll. It can be extended over slopes as a way to prevent landslides or create water channels. It is extremely easy to use, and can be adapted to any terrain. After setting the product on the land for a couple of hours it dries and is unmovable, and depending on the project multiple layers can be used or even sealed to prevent leaks. The advantage of this product is that it is able to resist up to 407kg/cm2 and it uses less water than traditional methods. While Concrete Canvas may be more expensive than regular concrete products, the benefits are greater and can be used in times of emergency.

Q: How have companies reacted to these new construction technologies?

A: The first customer to adopt this technology was Goldcorp. It was a difficult process due to the high price of the dollar and the fact the project we were involved in was located in a risky zone in Iguala, Guerrero. Since then, we have created additional installations and it has opened the doors to new business ventures in Mexico. During natural disasters, Concrete Canvas can deliver quality solutions in a short amount of time in a great variety of terrains. It is easy to install and it is possible to make emergency shelters or spaces within 24 hours. This product may be more expensive but the results are much greater and it optimizes structures. In Mexicali, CFE has created a geothermal plant called Cerro Prieto that has kilometers of concrete canals and we have conducted several trials with our products, efficiently transporting this water for the development of clean energy.

Q: How is Concrete Canvas applied to unique and complex infrastructures like open pit installations?

A: One of the most complex engineering infrastructures is the entrance of a mine. Miners have to travel for several kilometers in conditions that are dangerous in heavy trucks. During the wet season, there are landslides that cause downtimes and this can be extremely expensive for mining companies. Instead of using cement or other materials in a restricted area, with the assistance of three or four people a company can install our product to make safe roads and walls. For Goldcorp, we installed our product in the entrance of its mine where landslides were common. The product is available in three different thicknesses but it is essential to have a civil engineer present before deciding which product will be used. In Spain, there have been studies performed to create underground tunnels using the product but it is an ongoing investigation. This product would be useful in developing temporary mine walls but it may not be the best option for tunnels, especially going through mountains and other rough terrains. The construction of temporary walls with Concrete Canvas is much faster than traditional methods.

Q: How can this product contribute to the development of safer infrastructure that can resist natural disasters?

A: Companies place anchors and spray concrete wherever it is needed but it wears rapidly. If the concrete gets soft, cracks begin to form and vegetation grows. Using our product will not allow these types of effects to occur. The difference between spray concrete and our product is that our product has a lifetime guarantee of 50 years. This makes safer and durable infrastructures due to the high quality of the materials and the installation methods. If there is a correct installation, it is difficult for water to penetrate the concrete or for plants to crack through. In water management infrastructure, it can anchor down slopes and prevent water from leaking through to undesired areas. We have a new product that allows companies to place layers of concrete to create a stronger seal. It has been proven to work efficiently in the creation of water management and tailings infrastructure. We are currently working on a residual water treatment in which we will conduct a study of one of the water tanks. As years pass, water tanks deteriorate and cracks begin to form on the surface. Placing Concrete Canvas on top would protect and increase the lifetime of these expensive infrastructures.