FRC: A Smart Alternative to Traditional Mesh and Steel

October 30, 2024 | Concrete Fibers, Fiber Reinforced Concrete, News

In the construction industry, cost efficiency is paramount. As project budgets tighten and timelines become more critical, the materials you choose can have a significant impact on your bottom line. At Euclid Chemical, we are excited to share how our innovative Tuf Strand SF is reshaping the landscape of construction materials, offering substantial savings compared to traditional mesh and steel.

• Understanding Material Cost Savings

  From our extensive experience, we’ve found that switching to Tuf Strand SF can lead to reinforcing material cost savings ranging from 20% to 50%, depending on your specific project design. This alone can make a substantial difference in the overall budget, especially for larger projects where material costs can escalate quickly.

• More Than Just Material Savings

  While the direct savings on materials is impressive, Tuf Strand SF goes beyond that. The use of traditional mesh often necessitates overlapping sheets to ensure adequate load transfer, which can result in up to 20% area loss due to lap lengths. This means you’re not only paying for material that won’t be utilised effectively, but you’re also increasing the complexity of your installation.

  With Tuf Strand SF, the need for overlapping is eliminated, maximising the effective area of your reinforcement. This not only translates to cost savings but also simplifies the installation process.

• Savings in Labour and Time

  One of the most significant advantages of using Tuf Strand SF is the reduction in labour and installation time. Traditional mesh requires careful handling and precise overlapping, which can extend project timelines and increase labour costs. In contrast, Tuf Strand SF is easier to install, allowing crews to work more efficiently and reducing overall labour hours. Moreover, fewer materials and ancillary items—like spacer blocks—are required when using Tuf Strand SF. This means that the savings extend beyond just the materials themselves; you’ll also see a decrease in the time spent procuring, managing, and installing additional components.

• Why Choose Tuf Strand SF?

  Choosing the right materials is crucial for the success of your construction projects. Tuf Strand SF provides significant cost savings over traditional mesh and steel, while also boosting efficiency, lowering labour costs, and simplifying project execution. To illustrate these advantages, here’s a quick comparison between macro-synthetic fibers and conventional reinforcing methods like wire mesh and steel rebar for slabs:

By Nadine Shürmann