Scientists from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, however, are developing an alternative. They've created bendable concrete that they say could be easily applied in the form of relatively thin, light paving slabs.

Ordinarily, concrete is made from a mix of cement, gravel, sand and water. The new material, known as ConFlexPave, additionally contains polymer microfibers. These are thinner than the width of a human hair, and serve to distribute loads evenly across the entire slab, instead of keeping them focused in one location.

As a result, the ConFlexPave is reportedly "tough as metal and at least twice as strong as conventional concrete under bending." As an added benefit, the microfibers are also claimed to enhance the material's skid resistance.