Jun 8 2006
Composites (fibre reinforced polymers) continue to find effective use in a wide variety of construction applications ranging from new build structures to refurbishment and restoration projects.
Their use is set to increase further over the coming decade as major opportunities arise including the 2012 Olympics, the current housing crisis and an ever aging infrastructure. Key properties such as light weight, excellent long-term durability, flexibility in design, prefabrication and fast construction process on-site will enable innovative cost-efficient structures to be developed using composite materials in both a pure form and also working synergistically with other materials to give improved performance.
In order to meet these new challenges, NGCC (Network Group for Composites in Construction) is realigning the way in which it operates and in doing so is looking to expand and increase its membership. NGCC aims to bridge the interface between the composites industry and the construction community, providing guidance, technical support and advice where needed. In order to achieve this, core activities such as networking, CPD seminars, conferences and site visits will continue; but to improve technology and information transfer, a new interactive website (www.ngcc.org.uk) has been launched as well as a redesigned newsletter targeted at the wider construction community. NGCC will also be working closely with the National Composites Network (NCN) to produce a 'road map' for the composites in construction industry in order to facilitate the step changes required to meet the new opportunities.