Construction World November 2024

READYMIX

Fibre-reinforced concrete minimises labour, time and waste, resulting in long term savings for infrastructure projects.

In today's construction industry, the twin imperatives of sustainability and efficiency are driving transformative innovations. One such advancement making waves is the use of fibre in concrete, replacing traditional steel reinforcement. This shift not only results in substantial time and labour savings leading to significant cost efficiencies, but also plays a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint associated with construction projects. The environmental and practical benefits of USING FIBRE IN CONCRETE

Michelle Fick, BU Development Manager: Concrete Aesthetics at CHRYSO Southern Africa.

S teel reinforcement, while indispensable for its strength and durability, exacts a heavy toll on the environment. The production of steel involves substantial energy consumption and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). According to the World Steel Association, the steel industry accounts for approximately 8% of global CO 2 emissions, making it a prominent contributor to climate change. Michelle Fick, BU Development Manager: Concrete Aesthetics at CHRYSO Southern Africa, says that fibres, in contrast, are made from synthetic and natural materials and offer a far more sustainable alternative. Concrete containing fibres is thus easily recycled for reuse as crushed aggregates for other projects. The environmental benefits of this shift are significant. The production of fibre materials, particularly synthetic ones, generates considerably less CO 2 compared to steel production. Additionally, the energy requirements for manufacturing fibres are significantly lower. “By substituting steel with fibres, construction companies can markedly decrease their carbon emissions,” Fick says. “Further unlike steel reinforcement, which often involves

cutting and fitting, leading to substantial scrap material which needs to be managed, our Advil fibres can be precisely mixed into concrete, minimising waste on construction sites. This reduction in waste contributes further to the sustainability credentials of fibre-reinforced concrete.” Beyond the environmental advantages, fibre reinforced concrete offers several practical benefits that enhance construction efficiency. Integrating fibres into concrete is straightforward and can be done during mixing, eliminating the labour-intensive steps of placing and tying steel reinforcement. This streamlined process significantly accelerates construction timelines. The simplicity of using fibres reduces the need for specialised labour typically required for handling and installing steel reinforcement. This not only cuts down on labour costs but also mitigates the risk of on-site injuries associated with traditional steel handling. Fick says that while the initial cost of fibres may be close to that of traditional steel reinforcement, the overall savings in labour, time and reduced waste translate into lower total project costs over the lifecycle of the construction project. Fibre-reinforced concrete has been successfully deployed in

24 CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2024