Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
(OP)
If you spec out a fiber for a typical 4" residential slab on grade, normal soils, how do you typically do it? Do you spec a manufacturer and dosage rate? I dont want to call out something that will be a premium, yet I want decent results.
In commercial applications we typically use Strux 90/40, but I've been told it's not really for residential applications.
In commercial applications we typically use Strux 90/40, but I've been told it's not really for residential applications.






RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Just because you spec a product does not mean you will get it if the local producers do not have the experience and mix designs for your specied product.
If it was a commercial project, it would be large enough to do some testing and/or special mix designs. For a residential project, it is a different story if you want predictability and performance without a premium for an unusual specification.
Dick
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Because delivery is a high portion of the concrete cost, I would check with the local suppliers to see what they currently use and have dispesing equipment for. The products currently available may be satisfactory for your purposes and you could eliminate the problems with a learning curve. Delivery/agitating times can be quality factors as are the dispensing accuracy, dosing timing and the technical support from the fiber supplier.
If it were a large commercial project with a defined schedule and competitive bidding, I would specify your usual materials and see if there were proposals for "or equals".
Dick
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Ciao.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
I want something that wont clump together, will provide shrinkage reinforcing, and wont create a hairy slab. If you go use some noname brand, Ive been told you get what you pay for.
This is a military base, they're all getting built at once.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
http://www.fibermesh.com/application.aspx?ID=2173
and then call several suppliers that you commonly work with and ask what is regularly available to them.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Since it is a military base, you may be able to research the military facilities specifications to see what they spec (if they do) for other projects. It can make everything smoother.
I would be leery of a contractor that does not think he can handle a time proven material in a construction environment.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/armytm
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Thanks for the help guys.
StructEIT, please provide link to said discussion. I cant find it. The whole premise of synthetic fibers is to replace WWF.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Regards,
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RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
Are you doing work on existing MFH units or is this a privatization contract? If these are existing, then you should be using UFGS 03 20 01.00 10 which has a section in it on fiber reinforcement. If this is a privatization contract, then they are probably requiring you to comply with local codes instead of military specs. However, the UFGS that I quoted isn't too far off from what we see around here locally, so you might be safe using what it requires anyway. That way, the military will be happy cause you're matching their spec.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
In our experience, substitution of WWF with fibres is acceptable depending upon the application and type of fiber. Polypropelene fibres are for plastic shrinkage control only; they do nothing for drying shrinkage and certainly do not contribute to flexural strength. However, for slab-on-grade applications, certain types of fibres from manufacturer's have sufficient tensile strenght and high enough modulus that they can compete with WWM applications for slab-on-grade applications. In my own practice, I have often used steel fibres in lieu of WWM and with improvements in fiber technology also used cetain polymer (note: not polypropelene)fibers.
In specific answer to your question, we spec. a fiber type and a dosage based on weight per cubic yard of concrete based on input from the manufacturer, the subgrade type, and the loading conditions. Do your homework on the recommended fiber type for your application and accept alternates only at your own peril.
RE: Fiber Reinforcement in Residential Slabs
It looks like I have no choice but to require the only manufacturer that I know of that specifically states their product replaces WWF, Strux 90/40 by Grace.
http://w