Strengthening and protecting our nation's infrastructure is a hot topic for today's engineers, contractors and bridge owners. These structures are vulnerable to fires, impact damage from collisions, weather-related destruction from floods, hurricanes and tornadoes - and in our post 9/11 world - the threat of terrorist attacks.

The development of an effective blast-and impact-resistant reinforcement system that is also cost-efficient has eluded the infrastructure industry - until now. Hardwire Bridge Armor, a high-tensile steel reinforcement solution developed by Hardwire, LLC, offers the strength and resiliency needed for today's structures and infrastructure components - at an affordable price.

Hardwire Bridge Armor is a proven and robust reinforcement system that utilizes Hardwire LLC's unique high-strength steel fabrics, which consist of thin, twisted, 450,000 psi, high-tensile steel cords that are 11 times stronger than a typical steel plate, as well as other components to form composites that are blast-, cut- and fire-resistant.

Compared to high-strength carbon fiber, which is typically used for reinforcing structures, Hardwire Bridge Armor is available at a fraction of the cost.

Hardwire Bridge Armor is designed to fit both suspension and cable stay bridges and has been successfully implemented on several structures in the United States.

Hardwire Bridge Armor offers efficient installation, right on the jobsite, and can be easily disassembled for periodic maintenance and inspection. The installation procedure does not require any cutting or destruction of the shielding, as all shielding remains intact, ready for reassembly.

The flexibility and adaptability of the Hardwire technology permits the bridge owner to develop a strategy that specifically meets each situation. Hardwire is not simply an off-the-shelf solution, Hardwire has the ability to customize the technology in a cost-effective manner.

Customization is aided by Hardwire's testing capabilities to validate the performance of its custom solutions. Hardwire's ballistic range can test armor solutions against threats from small arms fire up to high velocity 20 mm fragment simulating projectiles (FSP). Hardwire also has off-site facilities which can test numerous weapons such as IED's, EFP's, and other terrorist grade explosives, and in-house capabilities to build and model those same explosives.

Due to the nature of these types of security projects, the specific threats are closely held.