Concrete can be an inherently challenging material. In fact, according to generally accepted engineering standards, it is:

• Relatively brittle and lacks flexural toughness.
  

• Prone to early-age plastic shrinkage and settlement cracking
  

• Prone to long-term drying shrinkage cracking
  

• Likely to explode (spall) when subjected to the extreme heat of a fire
  

We Make Good Concrete Better.

Propex Concrete Systems offers a diverse portfolio of products that represents the most comprehensive solutions to concrete' shortcomings ever devised by a fiber reinforcement company. We have spent two decades innovating and perfecting fiber reinforcement solutions that offer performance benefits over the entire life span of concrete – from simplifying placement to minimizing cracks in the plastic state to controlling cracks in the hardened state to providing years of exceptional durability.

Product Selection Guide

Read on for more details on how fiber reinforcement solutions perform in today's concrete applications.

Alternate for welded wire mesh

Conversely, conventional reinforcement is used to control cracks from enlarging after the crack occurs. Conventional systems do nothing to eliminate or even reduce crack development. While these systems can hold cracks together in ideal circumstances, their performance is limited by the challenge of correct placement. From a practical standpoint, it is extremely difficult to keep conventional reinforcement in its proper place, typically the upper third of the concrete section. The Wire Reinforcement Institute recommends support chairs be used to ensure proper placement. Foot traffic from concrete finishers and laborers can push a conventional system down into the concrete or completely through the section onto the subgrade where it will have no value.

Unlike labor-intensive conventional reinforcement methods, Propex Concrete Systems fibers are added directly to the concrete mix and evenly disperse throughout. The result is an advanced, multi-dimensional reinforcement system that can be placed quickly, accurately and safely.

Inhibits plastic shrinkage & settlement cracking

Propex Concrete Systems' synthetic fibers inhibit the formation of plastic shrinkage and plastic settlement cracking by providing an internal support system for concrete. Synthetic fibers help concrete through the period when it is most vulnerable to cracking. That is, when the concrete is beginning to harden and shrink due to volume changes from loss of water. Synthetic fibers discourage plastic cracking before it starts.

Provides uniform bleeding

Bleeding is more uniform when SI Concrete Systems' fibers are used at an appropriate application rate. Isotropic contributions provided by fiber support limit the rate and scope of migration of the water from the mass to the surface. Bleed water tends to rise evenly when using Propex Concrete Systems fibers and surface as a wet sheen on the concrete, rather than rushing up to the concrete surface forming ponds.

Increases shatter/impact resistance

Propex Concrete Systems fiber solutions reduce the total crack void structure. This enables the concrete greater shock absorbing quality by transforming from a brittle to a more ductile material. The relatively low modulus of Propex Concrete Systems microsynthetic fibers contribute to impact resistance. Tests conducted at the University of British Columbia utilizing an instrumented impact machine indicated the energy to fracture beams with and without reinforcing bars. The addition of Propex Concrete Systems fibers inhibits further crack growth by bridging the cracks that develop. The fibers also enhance the bond between the concrete and the reinforcing bars by inhibiting cracking of the concrete under bending stresses in the vicinity of the bar deformations.

When plain concrete is compressed, it will shatter and fail at first crack. Propex Concrete Systems' fibers anchor in the concrete paste, preventing the effect of shattering forces by tightly holding the concrete together. A test program evaluated the shatter resistance of Propex Concrete Systems fiber-reinforced concrete and plain concrete when exposed to crushing loads.

Results show that Propex Concrete Systems' fiber-reinforced concrete will sustain itself and not shatter even after 10% more compression than plain concrete. This characteristic of Propex Concrete Systems fiber-reinforced concrete is important for applications where there are impact or seismic concerns towards safety to life and property, and relates directly to the toughness factor of Propex Concrete Systems fiber-reinforced concrete. This Propex Concrete System fiber reinforcement phenomenon is demonstrated in the post-crack Average Residual Strength (ASTM C 1399) and Round Determinate Panel (ASTM C1550) test methods.

Load transfer at joints

A properly designed Novocon® steel fiber reinforced concrete slab is the most economical and efficient way to provide random crack control and load transfer stability at sawed contraction joints. When considering the optimal slab design, emphasis is placed on the minimization of random cracks located between joints to reduce long-term maintenance of the floor system. The reality is that the majority of all floor maintenance and repair is at the joints. Rocking, unstable joints with loose or missing filler material are not only costly to repair but they can also cause damage to vehicles, thereby impeding the productivity of an entire operation.

Reduces precast product breakage

The early age stresses that precast concrete products and tilt-up panels are subjected to can be effectively addressed by adding Propex Concrete Systems' synthetic fibers into the concrete mix. In both of these applications, concrete is subjected to early age stresses than can jeopardize the long-term durability of the product. During early stripping and lifting, concrete is vulnerable to microcracking. These microcracks become “birth defects” that can grow into major flaws during the service life of the product. Fiber reinforcement is the ideal solution to this problem. Synthetic fiber reinforcement inhibits the formation of cracks by providing an internal support system for concrete. Conventional reinforcement, such as rebar or welded wire fabric, does not address or control microcracking.