This technology is a building reinforcement material where concrete is poured in a fluid state into the casting holes of a Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) frame. Once hardened, the core is bonded to the frame via connecting parts that protrude from the inner surface of the frame toward the center.
While wood is eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, it is vulnerable to deforestation issues, pests, fire, and decay. Plastics, conversely, are non-biodegradable and weak against heat and impact. Although Wood Plastic Composites (WPC), which combine the strengths of both materials, are growing in popularity as eco-friendly alternatives, they have limited durability compared to concrete or steel, making them unsuitable for structural members that must bear heavy loads.
This technology features a WPC body with embedded longitudinal carbon fiber reinforcement members. Inside the concrete core, multiple reinforcement members are placed, each consisting of a carbon fiber-reinforced body with a pair of protruding members angled in different directions. The connection consists of a first connecting member perpendicular to the frame's longitudinal axis and a second connecting member that bends into the concrete. After the concrete hardens, epoxy is injected into the gap between the core and the frame to create a unified structure. It can be applied to the reinforcement of wooden cultural heritage sites and Hanok columns and beams, eco-friendly wooden public buildings, and waterfront deck structures, providing the load-bearing capacity of concrete and carbon fiber without the risk of corrosion or decay, while maintaining a natural wood aesthetic.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for research on simulation analysis and life-cycle economic analysis of rebar-alternative concrete structures.
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