03/03/2021
Sika has developed new, free software to calculate the amount of SikaFiber® required for ground-bearing concrete slabs.
Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) is a modern alternative to bulky, hazardous steel mesh reinforcement solutions. The SikaFiber® software gives users complete control of calculations; enabling them to forecast the best solution for the project at hand.
With the price of steel rebar more than 30 per cent higher than it was in July 2020*, the SikaFiber® software can be used to highlight where potential cost savings can be made via fibre specification.
How do SikaFiber® concrete fibres work?
With a choice of steel, synthetic macro and synthetic micro options, the fibres are evenly distributed throughout the depth of the concrete slab in order to provide consistent strength and durability. The material also helps to reduce cracks and shortens construction time.
What does the SikaFiber® software do?
Designed for engineers, it helps them to determine the optimum type and dosage of fibres required to reinforce a slab for the specified loading, slab thickness and concrete grade.
It enables professionals to forecast various options, including slab depth and fibre dosage, to have complete control over their designs, making them self-sufficient with their project calculations.
All engineers need to do is enter some specific project details and the system will do the rest! It’ll even double-check loadings with its safety function and highlights any potential issues.
Once the information is entered and the design results are calculated, then users can get a printout of the product proposal. The product can then be simply specified in the project.
When should fibres rather than steel reinforcement be used?
Generally speaking, whilst steel mesh is a trusted, traditional way of reinforcing concrete slabs, it has costly purchase, logistic and installation implications. A city centre scheme, for example, would provide an ideal location for a fibre-reinforced specification, especially where the site project footprint is small or restricted by neighbouring infrastructure.
Using fibres in such a project would effectively improve the structural integrity of the concrete, without the need for bulky reinforcement.
What about larger internal areas?
Capable of delivering jointless slabs up to 40m x 40m, high tensile steel fibres are the ideal solution for housing warehouse racking systems, offering a greater flexibility, especially where the racking footprint is yet to be decided.
An example in practice is the specification and installation of a concrete slab within a 4,000m² warehouse on the Harpur Hill Business Park in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Whilst it’s designed mainly for calculating dosage for ground-bearing slabs, the SikaFiber® software can also calculate for mezzanine levels.
What if some steel mesh is still required?
Created as an alternative to rather than a replacement for steel mesh-reinforcement, the SikaFiber® software will allow for partial or complete steel integration if the fibre option doesn’t stack up.
For example, if a specific area of the slab is unable to provide the structural support required for the loading, then it can be supported with mesh reinforcement, as required.
What cost savings can be made with fibre specification?
Whilst this is an unanswerable question due to many factors, we can provide an example as follows:
Requirement: 1,000m3 PAV2 for external HGV yard on solid ground at 200mm slab depth
| PAV2 AEA @ £85/m3 | ||
| 5,000m2 area | ||
| Method | Traditional | Fibre-reinforced Concrete |
| 2 x A393 (@3.50/m2) | Extra over macro fibres @ £25/m3 | |
| Concrete cost | £85,000 | £110,000 |
| Mesh cost | £35,000 | n/a |
| Total cost* | £120,000 | £110,000 |
* Excluding mesh installation labour or concrete pump cost
To find out more about the SikaFiber® calculation tool or to download the software, click here
To find out more about SikaFiber® click here
* Source: Sika pricing manager
