Reinforcing With Fibers FAQs

Is it appropriate to reinforce cellular concrete with synthetic fibers?

Synthetic fiber reinforcement is a mechanical process and does not have any effect on the chemistry of concrete. It is therefore perfectly acceptable to design fiber reinforced cellular concrete. Fiber reinforced cellular concrete is becoming a standard material for roof decks and Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction.

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Is it appropriate to reinforce cellular concrete with steel fibers?

There is no chemical or mechanical reason not to reinforce cellular concrete with steel fibers. However, most cellular concrete applications require a lightweight material. Most steel fiber concrete applications require heavy, high compressive strength steel fiber reinforced concrete. It would seem somewhat unlikely that an application would require steel fiber reinforced cellular concrete, but there is no technical reason not to design a steel fiber reinforced cellular concrete.

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Do the bubbles in cellular concrete collapse, reducing its volume?

Not with well engineered liquid foam concentrates. The pre-formed foam cellular concrete products made from top quality Mearlcrete® and GeofoamTM liquid foam concentrates do not collapse. Air cell stability is the mark of a superior foam concentrate and foam generator combination. Which is not to say that all cellular concrete products are stable. Particular care should be taken to test foams from water pressure type foam generators, and gas-off chemical products. The proposed pre-formed foam for an application should be tested for stability or certified for stability before actual project placement.