You and your clients should consider the following seven benefits of fiber-reinforced concrete when planning the next concrete-related building project:
Cost-Effectiveness: According to the CPTech Center, “fiber-reinforced concrete can provide a sustainable, cost-effective option for the resurfacing and rehabilitation of existing pavements. State DOTs and other engineering groups are rapidly incorporating macro-synthetic fibres into their designs, specifications, and experimental projects for road and airport pavements, either as overlays or full-depth replacements.”
With the limitations on available manpower and cost uncertainties affecting the construction industry as a result of the pandemic, fiber-reinforced concrete can provide a safer and more cost-effective working environment that can actually speed up construction while reducing a project’s environmental impact. Having fewer employees on-site and reducing trip risks are key safety benefits that allow for a quicker placement and allow for less personnel.
By eliminating the usage of standard steel rebar, a municipality is no longer obligated to inspect the placement of steel. The fibre reinforcement would be supplied by the concrete supplier and inserted in the concrete prior to placement. Trucks transporting ready-mixed concrete may place the material at the desired construction site with minimal finishing work.
Concrete is prone to corrosion, freezing and thawing, road salt attacks, and the infiltration of other hostile solutions. Improve the longevity of concrete by preventing water and other solutions from seeping beneath its surface. Fiber-reinforced concrete aids in maintaining tight crack management, thereby reducing the breadth of cracks and preventing water and other liquids from infiltrating the concrete.
Temperature & Shrinkage Reinforcement: Fiber-reinforced concrete can be utilised as a cost-effective alternative to welded wire reinforcement and small diameter bars for temperature and shrinkage resistance.
Fiber-reinforced concrete can minimise construction delays, labour expenses, and maintenance costs, which is advantageous for contractors and can be passed on to clients in the form of a reduced project cost. Moreover, contractors can convince clients that fiber-reinforced concrete greatly saves ongoing maintenance costs. Research demonstrates that recycled steel fibres derived from materials such as recycled automobile tyre rims can achieve comparable results to commercially produced steel fibres at a tenth of the cost. In addition to reducing landfill waste, the savings can be passed on to customers.
Similar to the recycling of used tyres and athletic footwear for use in synthetic athletic turf fields, fiber-reinforced concrete can be an environmentally responsible option. Due to the fact that steel fibres are constructed of steel, which is created from iron, a diminishing natural resource, the high cost of steel may not be justified, especially when compared to the lower maintenance costs of fiber-reinforced concrete. Recycled steel fibres may represent a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible option.
As the COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty persists, fiber-reinforced concrete is not only the future of the building industry, but also a realistic alternative to safeguard the health and safety of construction people, as well as the financial bottom lines of enterprises and municipalities.
