MACROFIBER Bi-component and high performance BINDING.

Trend Both national and international regulations and requirements for fiber

concrete are constantly changing. These new developments point clearly in the direction of innovative synthetic fibers featuring perfor-mance characteristics equal to, or in excess of, steel mesh and steel fibers and combine that with the benefits (no corrosion, no risk of inju-ry) of synthetic fiber concrete.

Benefits

Synthetic fiber concrete features a broad range of applications due to its high flexural strength, proven post-crack behaviour, and outstanding processibi-lity. Optimized fiber dosages serve best to satisfy quality and economic de-mands.

Developing Concrix

All demanding requirements have been taken into account in the de-velopment of Concrix. The result is a polyolefin based, internationally patented, bi-component macrofiber consisting of a core and a shell. Concrix displays high tensile strength simultaneously with high bond-ing strength when added to the concrete matrix. The core material features excellent tensile strength as a result of its high E-modulus. Best bonding is achieved by the surrounding shell, featuring a em-bossed surface and activating additives.

The embossed surface appearance, displaying each individual fiber, was developed to optimize the bonding to the concrete matrix without compromising the workability of fiber concrete. A large number of ex-periments have been carried out to optimize fiber dosages and rheol-ogy of fiber concrete. Concrix dosages up to 2 vol.% still feature high concrete fluidity.

Features

Certified according to EN 14889-2 Concrix is compliant with all require-ments under EN 14889-2 „Fibers for concrete – part 2: polymer fibers” for system 1 (for load bearing concrete structures, mortar and grout [table ZA. 1]) and therefore is suitable to com-pletely substitute steel fibers (EN 14889-1).

Post-crack behaviour By adding Concrix, concrete benefits from a significant improvement in its post-crack behaviour exceeding, that of steel fiber concrete, and fulfilling international requirements for shotcrete. The excellent values with respect to the post-crack behaviour of Concrix-Fiber concrete enable a broad and economic use in the tunnel respectively mining area and offer a real alternative to high charged steel fiber concrete.

Comparison with other products Concrix is decisively superior in direct comparison with other macro synthetic fibers available on the market. Current-ly, fiber concretes with a dosage rate of 4,5 kg Concrix per m3 surpass marked-ly the capacity of 30 kg steel fibers in the crucial issues.

Further advantages of Concrix Concrix-Fibers are alkali-resistant, rust resistant, pliable, and unlike steel fibers, prevent injuries. Concrix is also more cost effective be-cause it preserves equipment, such as mixers and pumps, from wear and tear. The low specific weight of Concrix allows for smaller dos-ages (vol%), yet higher numbers of fibers, resulting in a tighter net-working and an improved fiber concrete behaviour. The fibers come bundled to avoid lumps of bristles.

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25

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35

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

deflection [mm]

load

[kN

]

CONCRIX 4.5 kg/m3Steelfibers 25 kg/m3Macrofiber Competitor 1 4.5 kg/m3Macrofiber Competitor 2 4.5 kg/m3

source: Empa, Dübendorf/CH

Benefits Fields of application • No corrosion • No risk of injury • More fibers per kilogram • Reduces wear and tear on machinery • Alkali resistant • Shorter construction time → reducing building costs

• Shotcrete (tunnelling, mining etc.) • Prefabrication (tubbing, formed parts etc.) • Industrial floors • Foundation slabs / Basement walls • Traffic areas (streets, airports, port facilities etc.) • Water impermeable concretes

Bibliography: – Empa, Dübendorf / CH – VersuchsStollen Hagerbach AG, Flums / CH

Brugg Contec AG

Aachstrasse 11 CH-8590 Romanshorn Tel: +41 71 466 12 12 Fax: +41 71 466 12 10 info@bruggcontec.com www.bruggcontec.com

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