Chinese scientists develop novel “marshmallow” concrete to gently stop aircraft during emergency landings

> Chinese researchers have created a revolutionary runway safety system using ultra-lightweight foam concrete, nicknamed “marshmallow” concrete, that gently arrests hundred-tonne class aircraft during emergency landings.

> The research team developed a new material, resembling ordinary concrete but featuring over 80 percent porosity and weighing just 200 kg per cubic meter — a tenth of the weight of standard concrete.

> This material creates a “soft barrier” that absorbs kinetic energy through **controlled crushing.** “It looks solid, but crumbles upon impact, decelerating planes smoothly,” explained Fang Jun, a CBMA research and development engineer.

> To develop an extraordinary ability to absorb energy through fracturing, the mechanical collapse performance of ultra-light foam concrete must be precisely controlled.

> Using the Boeing 747 as an example, he explained that the foam concrete used for impact resistance must be maintained within a precise strength range of 0.30 to 0.35 megapascals. “For ordinary foam concrete, higher strength is typically better. However, our material operates under the requirement of **lower strength**, with a very narrow fluctuation range,” said Fang.

> International technical proposals utilize calcium sulfoaluminate cement as a raw material, which offers advantages such as rapid hardening and reduces forming difficulties.

> However, its **high cost** poses challenges for many low-cost small airports. Additionally, the inherent properties of calcium sulfoaluminate cement can lead to powdering over extended service periods.

Arrestor beds have been a thing in the industry for a while, can someone explain the difference between what exists and this new development?

Nah the Koreans already [tried that](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeju_Air_Flight_2216). Just don’t forgot to make it soft.