As major sports venues across the United States grapple with the threat of ‘concrete cancer’, Kryton International, a leading provider of Smart Concrete solutions, steps forward with a potential cure. This development comes at a critical time as the construction and renovation of sports facilities accelerate in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and other significant projects like the new Major League Baseball stadium in Las Vegas.
The issue of ‘concrete cancer’, more technically known as alkali-aggregate-reaction, has recently gained attention due to high-profile incidents in venues such as Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals. This condition occurs when water penetrates concrete containing reactive aggregates, leading to microscopic cracks that can significantly reduce the lifespan of structures.
Kevin Yuers, Kryton’s vice president of product development, explains, ‘Though invisible to the naked eye and easily overlooked, the effects of these microscopic cracks are often underestimated until the situation escalates and becomes a serious problem.’ He emphasizes that this condition is ‘completely preventable when concrete is mixed with permeability-reducing and self-healing additives that repair microcracks as they form.’
Kryton’s solution, particularly their Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM), has been subject to rigorous multi-year analyses at the University of Hawaii and the University of Ottawa. Both studies confirmed the high effectiveness of KIM in repairing microcracks as they form, thereby preventing water ingress and subsequent concrete degradation.
The timing of this innovation is crucial. With the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon and numerous sports facilities under development, there is a limited window to implement these ‘Smart Concrete’ solutions. Yuers stresses the importance of this opportunity: ‘When sports franchises and even taxpayers invest $1 billion to build a world-class stadium, it shouldn’t come with an expiration date. There are cost-effective solutions that ensure these facilities outlive all of us.’
The case of Kauffman Stadium serves as a cautionary tale. Completed just over 50 years ago, before the advent of these concrete technologies, the stadium now faces significant structural challenges. Kryton suggests that their Smart Concrete solutions could easily add another 50 years to a stadium’s lifespan.
However, Yuers notes that some developers still bypass the use of Smart Concrete additives to control up-front construction costs, a decision that can lead to ‘much more costly and structurally catastrophic consequences years later.’ This short-term thinking could result in premature demolition of structures in just a few decades.
As the construction industry moves forward, particularly in the realm of sports venues, the importance of long-term structural integrity cannot be overstated. Kryton International’s innovative approach to concrete technology offers a promising solution to ensure the longevity of these significant investments. By addressing the issue of ‘concrete cancer’ at its root, this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we build and maintain our sports infrastructure for generations to come.
For more information on Kryton’s Smart Concrete solutions, visit their website at www.kryton.com.
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