Synthetic Macrofibers: The Future of the Construction Industry?

Brief 

As supply chain issues and inflation continue to plague the construction industry, more engineers, architects, owners, and contractors are turning to synthetic macrofibers as a replacement for steel. Learn how macrofibers can speed up construction schedules and reduce overall costs.

Insight

The use of synthetic macrofibers instead of steel in construction is gaining ground as a result of cost savings and speed of installation. The South Central U.S.has seen savings of between $0.50 and $1.10 per square foot by using macrofibers in slabs-on-grade, elevated slabs, pavements and other applications.

The cost savings come from the lack of labour needed to install steel, as well as the cost of steel that does not need to be purchased. Tesla and Amazon have used macrofibers in their new gigafactory and distribution centres respectively, as have FedEx, Tractor Supply and Walmart.

When choosing a macrofiber, the question of which to use arises. Important intangible factors include whether the macrofiber affects the finish of the concrete, whether it pumps well and whether the manufacturer supports the contractor on site.

In terms of pumpability, users may add water to make the concrete more workable, but too much water can cause the mix to segregate and block a pump hose. To reduce the visibility of macrofibers on the finished concrete surface, a properly proportioned mix that accommodates the fibers is needed.

The finishing of the concrete is also important in its appearance, with the surface needing to be hit with a vibratory screed and finished with pans or trowels, as with regular concrete. A broom or tine finish should be done in one pass and in one direction. Self-fibrillating macrofibers are less likely to be pulled to the surface during finishing operations than steel fibers.

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Keyword 360

FRC

Related Questions:

• What is Fibre reinforced concrete used for?

• Is fiber better than rebar in concrete?

• What is the disadvantage of fiber concrete?

• Will fiber concrete crack?

Related Standards:

• ACI

• ASTM

Related Refrences:

1. Al-Khaiat, H., & Ibrahim, M. (2022). Mechanical and Durability Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Recycled Coarse Aggregate. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering.
2. Li, V. C., Lim, C. C., & Leung, C. K. Y. (2021). Design and Testing of High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites for Sustainable Infrastructure Development. Sustainability.
3. Chen, B., & Wang, D. (2021). Durability of Concrete Structures Reinforced with Fibers—A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Composites for Construction.
4. Duan, Z., Zhang, L., & Lu, Z. (2021). Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Concrete. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering.

Related Challenges:

1. Cost: The addition of microfibres can increase the overall cost of the concrete, which may not be feasible for some projects with a limited budget.
2. Mixing: Due to their small size and lightweight nature, microfibres can be challenging to mix evenly into the concrete. Improper mixing can result in inconsistent properties throughout the concrete.
3. Dispersion: Microfibres can clump together during mixing, leading to uneven dispersion in the concrete. This can result in weaker areas of the concrete.
4. Compatibility: Not all types of microfibres are compatible with all types of concrete. It is important to choose the appropriate type of microfibre for the specific application and concrete mix to ensure optimal results.
5. Handling: Microfibres can be difficult to handle because of their small size and lightweight nature. This can make them prone to scattering and creating a mess in the mixing area.
6. Set time: The addition of microfibres can slow down the set time of the concrete, which can be problematic in applications that require a fast setting time.