'Super Concrete' Dr. Kim Byung-seok.. Scientist of the Month for September

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Dr. Byungseok Kim of the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, who developed 'Super Concrete' with a lifespan of 200 years, has been selected as the Scientist of the Month for September.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation announced on the 2nd that Dr. Kim was chosen as the Scientist of the Month for September in recognition of his development of ultra-high-strength, highly durable super concrete with a 200-year lifespan, and for promoting its practical application by constructing the world's first bridge and building using this material. Dr. Kim will receive the Minister of Science and ICT Award along with a prize of 10 million won.

Dr. Kim developed 'Super Concrete' by incorporating micro- and nano-materials and steel fibers into concrete instead of gravel, resulting in a dense microstructure. The compressive strength of this concrete ranges from 80 to 180 megapascals (MPa), making it five times stronger than conventional products, and its lifespan is 200 years, four times longer. Additionally, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by half, ensuring economic feasibility.

Dr. Kim's research team secured general construction technologies such as ready-mixed concrete truck mixing and established structural design guidelines through various material experiments. They also succeeded in constructing the world's first ultra-high-performance concrete cable-stayed bridge, the Chuncheon Bridge (2017), Cosmos Resort (2017), and the Hawk Eye Bridge in the United States (2015).

As a result, Dr. Kim was the sole recipient of the Building and Infrastructure category at the 1st International Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Innovation Awards. He has also served as a keynote speaker at international academic conferences, a panelist in the U.S. 100-Minute Debate, and a member of the Asian Concrete Federation's Super Concrete Standards Committee.

Dr. Kim stated, "The research team, armed with a spirit of challenge, was able to achieve results recognized both domestically and internationally through the development of world-class technology and the world's first field application. Becoming the best in the world is difficult, but maintaining that status is even harder, so we will continue to strive tirelessly together with the research team."

Byungseok Kim, Ph.D., Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology

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