Fiber Conversion

Fiber Conversions

Working with our fiber reinforcement suppliers, Cemstone’s RESOLVE Engineering Services Team welcomes the opportunity to assist you and your designer in replacing traditional reinforcing steel with Cemstone’s RESOLVE Fiber Matrix. This system of synthetic and steel fibers has been selected to offer superior performance when it comes to replacing welded-wire fabric and reinforcing bars for temperature and shrinkage crack control.

Cemstone offers unmatched experience, expertise and technologies to provide you with the right mix for your needs.

Microfiber M100 & F100

Micro-fiber reinforcement reduces plastic shrinkage crack formation, reduces plastic settlement cracking and improves the cohesion of the concrete mixture, all of which give you durable, low maintenance concrete.

Uses:

• Commercial and residential exterior and interior slabs-on-ground   
• Decorative concrete 
• Pools and pool decks  

Benefits:

• Excellent reduction in plastic shrinkage cracking  
• Measurably reduces plastic settlement  

Macro Matrix

Macro Synthetic Fiber

Like the placement of steel reinforcement, macro synthetic fibers can be placed in concrete to transfer post-crack stress, reduce crack widths, increase impact/abrasion resistance and generally improve the long-term performance of the slabs and walls. Macro synthetic fibers eliminates the need for welded-wire mesh (WWM) and small diameter reinforcing bars used as secondary reinforcement, depending on the application. 

Uses:

• Industrial and warehouse floors
• Commercial and residential exterior and interior slabs-on-ground    
• Composite metal decks 
• Pavements and bridge decks
• Topping/overlays 
• Used in Latitude – Cemstone’s Extended Joint Spacing System

Benefits:

• Replaces shrinkage and temperature (secondary) reinforcement
• Reduces construction time and overall labor and material costs 
• Increases flexural toughness, impact and shatter resistance
• Reduced crack width

Steel 5-25

Steel 5-25

Steel Fiber

Steel fibers can be used to replace secondary reinforcement within slabs and walls. In addition, certain applications allow steel fibers to replace primary reinforcement. For horizontal and vertical applications.

Uses:

– Walls

– Foundations

– Paving

Benefits:

– Increases tensile strength

– Increases concrete strain capacity

– Decrease cracking width

– Increases durability in slabs

– Increases modulus of rupture

Frequently Asked Questions (Fiber FAQ)

How do synthetic concrete fibers work?
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) recognizes the use of macro-synthetic fibers
as a suitable replacement for reinforcing bars and welded wire mesh when used to
control drying shrinkage cracking and thermal changes (ACI 544.4R).

There are two types of synthetic fibers, “micro” and “macro” fibers.

Micro-synthetic fibers, along with proper curing after finishing, are used to
reduce the effects of plastic shrinkage cracking. Plastic shrinkage cracking
occurs when the surface of the concrete dries out during finishing operations.

Macro-synthetic fibers can be used as a replacement for rebar and welded wire mesh
when used to control cracking caused by drying shrinkage cracking and thermal changes
in driveways and interior slabs on ground.

Why should I use macro-synthetic fibers?
Unlike rebar and welded wire mesh, fibers provide three-dimensional reinforcement so that when a crack forms,
ideally in a control joint, there are numerous fibers bridging the crack/joint, thereby minimizing the width and length of the crack.
In addition, macro-synthetic fibers increase the toughness of the concrete, which aids in limiting deterioration due
to impact, abrasion and fatigue.

Will I see the fibers on the surface?
The appearance of fibers on the surface is greatly minimized with proper concrete mixture selection and
installation practices. For more information, please see Cemstone’s Fiber Finishing Guide