Technical design service optimises fibre use in concrete

Modern fibre technology is said to offer contractors and end-users versatility and opportunities for custom applications.

CHRYSO Southern Africa has joined with local fibre specialist Oxyfibre to offer customers a professional technical design service. The service relates to custom applications of CHRYSO macro polypropylene fibres, which are considered structural elements in construction. Oxyfibre operations manager Izak Louw says this design offering ensures that contractors get the most from this innovative technology.

He explains that macro polypropylene fibres compete with conventional steel mesh as a reinforcement for concrete. As such, these macrofibres are considered as structural elements, and must pass stringent tests to prove the strength and integrity of their physical properties.

“This creates the basis for us to offer a specialised engineering design service for the application of our macrofibres, not only for ground supported slabs but also for precast concrete,” says Louw. “We use the customer’s data on loadings, ground conditions and the kind of activities that will be carried out on the concrete surface – such as rolling loads and racking loads.”

CHRYSO Southern Africa is the official distributor for Oxyfibre, which supplies microfibres and macrofibres from Belgium-based Adfil Construction Fibres.

“Most of our customised fibre designs relate to civil engineering applications, such as roads and industrial slabs,” adds Louw. “However, we also provide the design service in smaller contracts for driveways, residential homes and requirements on farms.”

Oxyfibre explains that its engineering team works closely with CHRYSO to consider customer’s needs and provides feedback on aspects like fibre dosage, the size of saw-cuts on a slab and the optimal thickness of the concrete.

“With our tailored design service, we work closely with the customer to supply the required calculations and technical specifications,” he says. “We also produce a detailed commercial proposal that sets out the benefits of CHRYSO Macro fibres; our service comes with professional indemnity.”