FIBRIN 23 – Newly Accredited Construction Fiber Technology for Concrete
Micro cracks and shrinkage cracks have been perennial and recurring problems of concrete. While these cracks sometimes do not show visibly in the surface, in reality these micro cracks and fine discontinuities within the concrete matrix are present that shortens the service life of the concrete slab.
FIBRIN 23 is the solution to this long time concrete problems. Fibrin 23 is a monofilament polypropylene fiber, 18 microns in diameter, 12 mm long with high tensile strength property. When added to concrete mix, it enhances the QUALITY and DURABILITY of concrete and provides technical and economic benefits when used in ground slab, roof decks and plastering of walls, water tanks, swimming pools and sea walls.
Fibrin 23 has recently been awarded the final accreditation by the BRS and DPWH with Certification for Accreditation No. 3, and with a Department Order No. 95 issued by the Secretary of DPWH, Sec. H. Ebdane for its use in concreting.
Recent test results of Fibrin 23 on concrete slabs for roads conducted by the BRS ( Bureau of Research and Standards) of the DPWH and that of ITDI -DOST ( Dept of Science and Technology) showed that Fibrin 23 when used in concrete slab enhances the impact resistance of the concrete by at least 2.5 to 4 times due to the entrainment of the strong fibers. Compressive and flexural strengths of the concrete are also improved while formation of cracks due to shrinkage is substantially prevented. In view of these findings, private engineering companies have considered the use of Fibrin 23 in slab on grade to replace temperature bars and used as additive for plastering mortars for walls applications. DPWH has also constructed several pilot roads projects in Batangas, Cebu and Bataan using Fibrin 23 which were monitored by BRS. In Bulacan it was done with a comparative reduction in thickness of the slab from 10 inches conventional to 8 inches thick with Fibrin 23, and in Negros Oriental from 8 inches to 6 inches with Fibrin 23 for savings and longer operating life. These findings will bring about considerable savings in the range of P 1.0 million per km for every inch of reduced thickness on a standard 6.1 m wide road.
From the road pilot studies, it was observed, after 7 years of the section opened to traffic, the section with Fibrin showed no deformation or cracks . While the adjacent portion without Fibrin 23 showed several cracks showed multiple cracks and for this reason was recently topped with asphalt topping to mitigate the effect of the cracks.
Recent studies by American Concrete Institute ( ACI) in the USA regarding failures of concrete roads slabs, assuming sub-grade and base preparation and compaction is properly achieved, reveals that most of these failures are not function of low compressive and flexural strengths but mainly due to the failure of the concrete to resist micro and macro impact stresses brought about by the heavy traffic loads. The presence of shrinkage cracking during the early age of the concrete that transforms into structural like cracks reduces the impact resistance of concrete thereby contributing to this failures.
Fibrin 23 increases the impact strength property of the concrete by 2.5 to 4.0 times compared to a conventional concrete. Application of Fibrin 23 on ground slab by replacing temperature bars can provide savings of at least 50% of the steel cost , while plastering of walls will provide at least 30% savings in plastering.
Fibrin 23 is compatible with any type of cement and any type of admixtures.
For further technical inquiry, Fibrin 23 is distributed exclusively in the Philippines by TERTEX INTERNATIONAL PHIL INC., 401 Earthrise Bldg, Javier St., Makati, Metro Manila, Tel 844-5112 and 813-1559, cel 0918-905-1613, Fax 817-9572 and email info[at]tertexinternational[dot]com and web site of www.tertexintl.net.
