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| AR Spritzfil-cem chopped strands  A concrete reinforcement development aided by Owens Corning, AR Spritzfil-cem, is prominently featured in the company's presentation at the SAIE 2008 International Building Exhibition which opened October 15 at Bologna. AR Spritzfil-cem, an alkali resistant (AR) glass fiber, is designed to bring all-round higher performance to the reinforcement of sprayed concrete in tunnel lining applications. AR Spritzfil-cem chopped strands were conceived as a competitive alternative to traditional steel and polypropylene fiber reinforcements, and to deliver a solution to the next-level performance demands of the underground and tunneling construction market. In Italy this sector is estimated to consume 30,000 tons of reinforcement fibers annually. To develop the AR reinforcement, Owens Corning worked together with industry customer Salerno-based ReCC – Rebar and Concrete Composites, the technical departments of several universities and a laboratory specialized in concrete technology. According to ReCC General Manager, Nello Giamundo, "Glass fiber concrete reinforcements are already making a positive contribution to the production and performance of above ground applications in the construction industry. Along with Owens Corning, we believed that with the necessary tailoring they could deliver the same benefits and advantages to the underground and tunneling sector." Towards that end the new AR Spritzfil-cem chopped strands development was based on the same Owens Corning alkali resistant glass fiber technology that has delivered the very successful Cem-FIL and Anti-Crak alkali resistant glass fibers. Products that offer an advance on traditional steel and polypropylene fiber reinforcements by bringing longer life, greater application flexibility, durability and higher performance, and in many cases lighter weight, to concrete and cement applications that include panels, floorings and façades. "Our particular focus for the development was the fiber reinforcement for shotcrete, the sprayed concrete used to line and reinforce tunnel interior surfaces to prevent spalling," says Andrea Brucato, Sales Leader, OCVTM Reinforcements Italy. "With a property profile that includes tensile strength higher than that of steel and a much greater modulus than polypropylene, AR Spritzfil-cem chopped strands have a highly competitive fit in this application." The benefits offered by AR Spritzfil-cem reinforcement include: - Good mechanical performance characteristics such as crack and impact resistance, - Excellent workability with productivity and safety advantages, - Non-corroding material, - Up to 20% less rebound than alternatives, resulting in lower fiber and concrete usage, - Less spray pump maintenance required and reduced hose wear. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Construction News :: home page |