What is it?
CC consists of a 3-dimensional fibre matrix containing a specially formulated dry concrete mix. A PVC backing on one surface of the material ensures the material is water proof. The material can be hydrated either by spraying or by being fully immersed in water. Once set, the fibres reinforce the concrete, preventing crack propagation and providing a safe plastic failure mode.
CC is available in 3 thicknesses: CCT1, CCT2 and CCT3, which are 5, 7 and 11mm thick respectively. CC is used in a variety of civil infrastructure applications, such as ditch lining, slope protection and capping secondary containment bunds.
Compared to traditional concrete solutions, CC is faster, easier and, more cost effective to install and has the additional benefit of reducing the environmental impact of concreting works by up to 95%.
User Benefit
Rapid Install
CC can be laid at a rate of 200sqm/hour by a 3 man team. Typical installation speeds are up to 10 times faster than conventional concrete solutions.
Easy to Use
CC is available in man portable rolls eliminating the need for plant on site and allowing concrete installation in areas with limited access. Prior to hydration, CC layers can be cut to length using basic hand tools eliminating the hazards associated with using power tools in high risk environments. The concrete is pre-mixed so there is no need for mixing, measuring or compacting. Just add water.
Low Project Cost
The speed and ease of installation mean CC is more cost-effective than conventional concrete, with less logistical burden. Up to 200 square metres of CC can be supplied on a single pallet, greatly reducing transportation logistics and on site storage.
Eco Friendly
CC is a low mass, low carbon technology which uses up to 95% less material than conventional concrete for many applications.
Formats
- Bulk Rolls / Batched Rolls
CC is available in two standard roll sizes; bulk rolls or smaller, lighter batched rolls. The quantity per roll differs between the CC types as shown in the table above. Bulk rolls weigh 1.6T and are supplied on 6 inch cardboard tubes which can be hung from a spreader beam and unrolled using suitable plant equipment. Bulk rolls provide the fastest method of laying CC and have the additional advantage of reducing the number of joints required.
Batched rolls are supplied on 3 inch cardboard cores with carry handles designed as a 2 to 4 man lift.
- Packaging / Transportation
CC bulk rolls are individually wrapped and palletised on heat treated wooden pallets measuring 1.2 x 1.0m. CC batched rolls are similarly supplied, individually wrapped in airtight PE packaging and palletised. 10 batched rolls fit on a standard 1.2 x 1.0m pallet. All CC rolls are provided with a basic hydration guide in English within the packaging.
CC Applications
CC provides a ditch lining solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Environmental: CC has a low alkaline reserve, a low washout rate and a low carbon footprint, characteristics that mean it has been approved for use on large projects by the Environment Agency Biodiversity team.
In certain applications Concrete Canvas can be used as structural slope stabilisation by combining it with steel mesh and soils nails (see CC “User guide” for more details).
CC provides a slope protection solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Flexible: CC will easily conform to the surface of the slope minimising voids and creating a surface with a natural aesthetic.
CC provides a bund lining solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Reduced Maintenance: CC acts as an effective weed inhibitor, eliminating the maintenance required with grassed or earth bunds whilst providing a safe surface for trafficking.
Improved Impermeability: CC has passed the impermeability requirement set by Total oil and gas company in France.
CC provides a remediation solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Cost Saving: Repairing existing concrete infrastructure can prove costly, difficult and time-consuming, typically requiring the removal and replacement of existing concrete which is extremely difficult, requires heavy plant and a large site team.
Improved Impermeability: CC joints can be thermally welded or sealed with mortar to effectively reduce water loss.
CC provides a vent wall solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Low Logistical Burden: CC can be supplied in man portable rolls allowing for installation in areas with limited access. Up to 200sqm of concrete can be supplied on a single pallet significantly reducing transportation and material handling in difficult to access areas.
CC provides an outfall protection solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
High Flow Rates: CC8 has been tested by the TRI institute in the US up to flow rates of 8.6m/s. At these speeds the test facility reached its maximum flow velocity and the CC showed no signs of degradation. Anecdotal evidence suggests CC can be used at speeds far in excess of 8.6m/s.
CC provides a gabion covering solution which is fast, easy and cost effective to install, other key advantages include:
Heavy Plant not Required:< CC can be rapidly applied by hand with no specialist equipment. CC can be delivered in man portable lengths that are easily fixed to the gabion structures.
Easy to Use: CC can be fixed to gabions in many different ways, including hog-ringing, pigtail fixing or wire fixing.
CC Markets
Rail
Concrete Canvas (CC) has been used in the rail sector since 2009 and is rapidly establishing itself as the construction material of choice with network providers around the world. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Ditch Lining
• Slope Protection
The speed and ease of installation means that CC is well suited to time-critical track-side work, vastly reducing line possessions and overall project costs. Eliminating issues associated with rebound from shotcrete means slope protection work can continue without line closures.The resulting reduction in staffing levels and plant requirement has obvious safety benefits for contractors.
Existing users of CC in the Rail sector include:
• Malaysia Network Rail
Road
Concrete Canvas (CC) provides a durable water management and erosion control solution for new and existing road infrastructure projects. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Ditch Lining
• Slope Protection
• Outfall Protection
CC has quickly gained market acceptance in the civil engineering sector as a cost effective alternative to conventional concrete in ditch lining and slope protection applications. The speed of installation minimises traffic disruption and reduces the risks associated with roadside work. CC ditches prevent weed growth and erosion, reducing the maintenance costs associated with unlined ditches, but will naturally ‘green’ over time, helping it blend into the environment.Existing users of CC in the Rail sector include:
• Malaysia Highways Agency (PLUS)
Mining
Concrete Canvas (CC) is being used extensively on large-scale mining projects around the world with customers in South Africa, Canada, Chile, Australia and the UK. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Ditch Lining
• Vent Walls
• Slope Protection
CC is uniquely suited for installations in remote, difficult to access sites where logistical efficiency is key.
CC is well suited to use in extreme environments and has been used installed in environments with sub-zero temperatures such as Northern BC in Canada and at 4000m altitude in the Chilean Andes.
Petrochemical
Concrete Canvas (CC) is increasingly being used by oil and gas companies around the world for a wide range of containment, erosion control and water management applications. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Bund Lining
• Pipe Protection
• Ditch Lining
CC is typically 10 times faster to install than conventional concrete solutions, reducing plant and personnel on site and consequently improving site safety.
CC can also be supplied in batched rolls allowing work to be done in areas with limited access.
Agro
Concrete Canvas (CC) is well suited to agricultural applications where water management and erosion control are key. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Remediation
• Ditch Lining
• Slope Protection
CC also has a low alkaline reserve, a low washout rate and a low carbon footprint, ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
CC can be used to reline existing concrete infrastructure in fisheries, canals or irrigation ditches, allowing time-critical remediation work to be completed quickly and easily.
Utilities
Concrete Canvas (CC) is increasingly being used by utilities such as power, waterworks, landfill and hydro-electric companies. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Ditch Lining
• Slope Protection
• Pipe Protection
• Cable Covering
CC is increasingly being used as slope protection on sites with sensitive infrastructure such as power stations.
Unlike shotcrete, CC produces no backspray, debris or rebound, eliminating the need for site closures or costly clean-up operations post-installation. Concrete Canvas (CC) can also be used as practical, simple to install coating for pipeline or cable protection.
Municipal
Concrete Canvas (CC) has been used on a large range of projects for national governments, public works, councils and local authorities. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Gabion Reinforcement
• Ditch Lining
• Slope Protection
CC has an expected design life of over 50 years and has more than 200 cycles of freeze-thaw testing.
The concrete used within CC is extremely hard wearing and has twice the wear resistance of OPC; as well as excellent resistance to chemical attack and UV degradation.
Defence
Concrete Canvas (CC) has been used in the defence sector since 2007 for a range of reinforcement, protection and erosion control applications. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Gabion Capping
• Ditch lining
• Bund Lining
The speed and ease of installation means CC is the ideal construction material for time critical projects in remote locations with limited resources. CC is available in man-portable rolls allowing concreting work to be conducted in areas without plant equipment.
CC lined ditches are tamper proof and the non-metallic construction will not interfere with IED detection. CC is extremely materially efficient, vastly reducing the logistical footprint compared to conventional construction materials.
Design
Concrete Canvas (CC) has been used by a huge variety of designers, architects and artists. From furniture to conceptual fitness apparatus, sculptures to art installations, CC’s flexibility, durability, ease of use and fabric-like aesthetic has led to it being used in projects worldwide. For some specific examples of applications see:
• Furniture
• Artistic
• Exhibition
Pre-hydrated CC can be cut using hand tools, and the material can be fixed to itself or other surfaces in many different ways.
Set CC can be cut and drilled as with conventional concrete, using angle grinders, construction disc cutters or high-quality tile cutters. It can also be water cut to a fine resolution. CC has excellent drape characteristics, allowing the material to conform to complex shapes, and the fibre surface of CC can be easily painted once set using standard exterior masonry paint.
