Structural Composites launches high-strength composite bridge
Ribbon cutting ceremony includes bridge partners, federal and state engineers and future SC partner Elaine Culotti to promote the use of composites for future infrastructure projects.
Photo Credit: Structural Composites
Structural Composites Inc. (SC, Melbourne, Fla., U.S.), a division of composite technology firm The Composites Company (TCC, Melbourne), held a ribbon cutting ceremony May 12 for a newly installed composite bridge in Morgan County, Tenn., U.S. The bridge project’s collaborative partners, and federal and state engineers attended the event. Moreover, in support of the project, particularly in its representation of composite materials use, undercover billionaire and future SC partner Elaine Culotti also attended, stating that the company is the creative wave of the future.
Culotti previously met Scott Lewit, Structural Composites’ president, through other creative inventors like herself. A background in construction additionally connects her to this project. Together, Culotti and Lewit hope to change the world, no matter how big or small.
“The creative mind for inventing things is hard to come across. The world can not live without people like Scott Lewit,” says Culotti. “I am proud to be associated with SC and their team. I think they are unique to our developing project and everyone they come across. They are so busy creating they do not have time to socialize; this ribbon cutting ceremony is the perfect event to do so.”
At 16 feet long and 25 feet wide, the composite drop-in bridge is engineered for rural logging traffic and heavy loads. Ninety percent lighter than a concrete bridge, SC says its additional benefits are numerous, including decreased installation time, reduced energy and construction costs and a 100-year lifespan.
“More than 150,000 bridges in the U.S., many located in rural parts of the country, are in need of replacement. Composites bridge deck technology can provide both rural and urban communities with a low-cost, lightweight, durable bridge structure that requires less equipment, making a shorter period for onsite preparation and a vastly shorter period for onsite
installation,” states Lewit.
Overall, Lewit says the bridge lays the foundation for a safe and sustainable future and is just what the infrastructure industry needs.
Related Content
-
Woven UD fabric enhances scalable carbon fiber options for infrastructure
CAMX 2025: Zoltek introduces PX35 woven UD fabric which bridges the gap between performance and affordability for retrofit and new build scenarios.
-
BladeBridge shows economic, environmental promise for recreational trail bridge development
New study shows bridges from retired wind turbine blades are more cost-effective and eco-friendly than steel, FRP or glulam options, with lower CO2 emissions and positive market potential.
-
Award-winning Oder river bridge cuts 500 tons of steel with CFRP tension cables
Developed by Carbo-Link and tested by Empa, the Oder Bridge near Küstrin is a heavy rail bridge using 88 CFRP tension members, enabling 120 km/hr train speeds with reduced weight and emissions.
