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In this month’s edition of Concrete Thinking: Beyond the Mix, we are highlighting two projects that each used Cemstone’s RESOLVE® Fiber Reinforcement Matrix. The Olson Sanitation Tipping Floor in Somerset, WI, and an Agricultural Pole Shed in Mapleton, MN, showcase how fiber-reinforced concrete can replace or reduce conventional reinforcement while maintaining structural performance.
By incorporating steel and synthetic macro fibers directly into the concrete mix, both projects streamlined installation by reducing reinforcement placement and tying requirements. This allowed crews to work more efficiently, improve jobsite safety, and accelerate construction schedules. The fiber systems also enhanced long-term performance through improved crack control, durability, and impact resistance. In addition to lowering labor demands and overall project costs, reducing conventional reinforcement requirements decreased material consumption and transportation needs, supporting a smaller environmental footprint.
Tipping floors are subjected to some of the harshest conditions a concrete slab can face. Unlike a typical floor, these slabs endure constant heavy traffic, concentrated wheel loads, impact from dumped materials, and abrasion from front-end loaders. At Olson Sanitation in Somerset, WI, the tipping floor was designed to withstand these demanding service conditions.
To enhance the slab’s ability to perform under repeated loading and impact, steel fibers were incorporated into the concrete mixture. Distributed throughout the slab, the fibers provide additional reinforcement that improves toughness, controls cracking, and increases resistance to impact-related stresses.
For a facility like Olson Sanitation, durability is essential. The objective was not simply to place a concrete floor, but to construct a slab capable of withstanding the daily demands of a high-traffic waste facility. Incorporating steel fibers into the concrete provided an efficient means of increasing slab performance and durability, allowing the floor to better withstand years of repeated loading, impact, and wear.
When designing a concrete floor for an agricultural building, the joint layout and finishing requirements can significantly influence both long-term performance and overall appearance. For a farmer’s pole shed in Mapleton, MN, the owner wanted a durable floor with fewer joints to support daily operations and reduce future maintenance. To achieve this, the project utilized Latitude®, Cemstone’s Extended Joint Spacing System, which allowed for larger panel sizes and fewer joints throughout the slab. By reducing the number of joints, the floor delivers a cleaner appearance and minimizes future maintenance needs.
To accommodate the extended joint spacing and performance demands of the slab, Cemstone incorporated RESOLVE® MAC 330 macro synthetic fibers into a low-shrinkage concrete mixture. The fiber reinforcement provides post-crack performance and enhanced crack control if minor cracking occurs within the slab. The mixture needed to support a hard-trowel finish, making fiber selection and dosage particularly important. The result was a concrete floor engineered to balance durability, appearance, and long-term serviceability while meeting the specific needs of the owner and the building.
