Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Heidelberg Materials Fibrecrete

A range of fibre reinforced concrete

Heidelberg Materials Fibrecrete is a range of fibre reinforced concrete. It incorporates fibre technology, added at the batching plant to enhance concrete performance and durability. Heidelberg Materials Fibrecrete is available from all of our static and mobile production plants.

Plastic Fibre Reinforced Concrete (Structural)

Structural fibres (plastic) are manufactured from a high-strength, high modulus synthetic plastic. They are designed to replace welded mesh and light reinforcement bars.

Suggested Applications

• Suspended floors and roof elements
• Large scale industrial floors
• Lightweight applications
• Architecturally sensitive buildings
• Complex, geometric elements

Benefits of Plastic Fibre Reinforced Concrete

• Reduced overall construction cost over steel
• Reduced manual handling and placement time (no steel fixing)
• Increased crack control
• No associated corrosion issues
• Eliminates concern associated with correct placement of reinforcement and correct cover
• Reduced structural weight (suspended slabs/roof elements)

Steel Reinforced Concrete (Structural)

Structural fibres (steel) are manufactured in various grades, deformations and sizes to suit most concrete flooring applications.

Suggested Applications

• Heavily trafficked industrial paving (scrap yards)
• Industrial ground bearing slabs
• Jointless ground bearing slabs
• Suspended slabs on piles
• Impermeable concrete slabs

Benefits of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete

• Reduced overall construction cost over steel
• Reduced manual handling and placement time (no steel fixing)
• Increased crack control
• Eliminates concern associated with correct placement of reinforcement and correct cover
• Increased surface abrasion resistance

_{NOTE: Where either plastic or steel fibres are used as either a partial or total replacement to conventional steel reinforcement, we recommend that the structural designer is consulted}

Polypropylene Fibre Reinforced Concrete (Non-structural)

Non-structural fibres are not an admixture, they are classified as an addition. They can be added to almost all conventional concrete mixes. Concrete mixes incorporating fibres comply with current European and British standards and require no additional specification criteria.

Suggested Applications

• Concrete slabs/external paving
• Deep sections >500mm
• Strip footings and foundations
• Concrete elements with a high length to width ratio (e.g. pathways/kickers) the majority of concrete will benefit from being fibre reinforced

Benefits of Polypropylene Fibre Reinforced Concrete

• Reduced shrinkage (less crack potential)
• Increased resistance to freeze thaw damage when used with a conventional air entraining agent
• Reduced potential for settlement cracking
• Reduced risk of delaminating
• Increased surface durability

_{Benefits subject to good concreting practice (placement, finishing and curing).}

Case study - Witchford Recycling Centre

Heidelberg Materials Concrete, working in partnership with Sika, supplied steel fibre reinforced concrete to this purpose‑built recycling centre that was built at Witchford, near Ely, for Cambridgeshire County Council. Learn more about this project.

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Accreditations

Heidelberg Materials is a member of the Quality Scheme for Ready-mixed Concrete (QSRMC) and all our products carry this certification.