Can SynthetiC FiBer heLp to reduce Concrete CrackS?
Written on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 by Jose Sanchez Marquez
Although in some cases the curing process is complicated in some projects, due the willingness is not enough or just they (engineers, workers) don't want to do it during the 7 days. Synthetic Fibers like TUF STRAND by Euclid Chemical Toxement and Forta Ferro have been shown to help reduce cracking and many more advantages, here are some:
Why use fibers?
Can be distributing randomly to the entire transversal section of the element, in two ways 2-D and 3-D. In the bi-dimensional way (2-D) is enough just to throw the fiber on the element. However If the fiber is located during the Concrete production process (Concrete Factories) the distribution it would be tri- dimensional (3-D).
Increase the relation between Reinforce area – Concrete area
Can be added in concrete on small quantities
Increase the resistance to cracks effects and decrease the crack opening if the fibers are added in a correct way (Shah, Weiss e Yang 1998).
The fiber use is ideal in sections or elements in where is very complicated install reinforced steel.
Important weight decreases compared with reinforce concrete.
SYNTHETIC FIBERS
The most used is polypropylene fiber, due to an inert material and lightweight. In the picture bellow you can see some technical information about the Synthetic Fiber TUF STRAND by Euclid Chemical Toxement.
Important General Advantages of Fiber use:
Reduce the cracking effect and plastic shrinkage
It can be added in concrete on small quantities 1.8 – 12 Kg/m3, according with the element and concrete design.
It can affect the workability in concrete
STEEL FIBERS
The use of this fiber can affect the workability in concrete. Is recommended add the steel fiber during the concrete production process in a slowly adding, because is very important guarantee a correct distribution inside the concrete to avoid lumps or balls of fibers, it would take at least 10 minutes of mixing inside the mixer vehicle. Nevertheless is very important check the concrete design, with special attention to water-reducing admixtures and plasticizers.
Steel Fibers advantages:
Increase the traction and flection resistance
In case of corrosion is only an appearance problem and not structural
Very use in airport runways, industrial floors, shotcrete elements, bridges and pavements.
Is very important testing to determine chemical additive and fiber dosage (Kg/m3), according with the element and concrete design. The curing important is very important, with or without fiber the curing process must be the same for 7 consecutive days. Follow the next link in case you want to have curing alternatives and Why cracks appears in concrete?
Building Projects examples at Bucaramanga City, Colombia
In the pictures below, synthetic fibers were used on the construction of this SkAte Park, thanks to the fibers and also to a rigorous curing process, chemical curing and covering with plastic the concrete in an early stage (fresh).
The final result was impeccable, none cracks appears in the first hours or in the next days and it was possible to give to the skate ramps the softness that the designer and professionals were expecting.
On these Industrial Floors the use of Steel fiber made not necessary the use of reinforced steel on concrete. Although this fiber can affect the workability in concrete the final result was the expected, the curing process avoid also the appearance of any cracks. Sometimes during the concrete discharge some fiber balls were visible, a normal condition. In those cases is re-mix the concrete for some minutes to guarantee a better distribution inside the mixer vehicle.
Posted in
fibers,
shotcrete,
Steel Fiber,
Synthetic Fiber
That's really a good idea. Thanks for sharing this useful information with us.You can contact Precision Drawell Pvt Ltd website for Steel Fiber In Flooring.