Grant: Engage Grants Program

KD Custom Woodworking has attempted to improve their concrete countertop products in order to ultimatelyhave a wide variety of offerings. Their attempts aimed at the development of lightweight concrete countertopfor potential use in offshore applications including yachts. However, these trials to optimize a product withlightweight and high strength were not successful. The main goal of this project is to develop novelcost-effective lightweight mixtures with advanced mechanical properties for use in concrete countertops. Thesemixtures will be designed using alternative types of materials (such as: by-products, fibers and nanomaterials)and various types of lightweight aggregates. The test program will include the assessment of compressive,flexural and tensile strength and impact resistance of selected mixtures. The findings of this project will lead tothe production of novel concrete mixtures for utilization in countertops, thus enabling the company'sinvolvement with yachts to grow. Eventually, the results of this research will expand the company's currentproduct solutions and overall growth in their sales especially to the offshore industry. This project will help thecompany to acquire contracts that would otherwise go to elsewhere globally for servicing, thereby benefitingthe Canadian economy.