The most effective way in which the performance of concrete floors in buildings in Sub Saharan Africa can be enhanced is through steel fibre reinforcement. This enables organisations to operate safely and efficiently from floors that are durable in the most demanding heavy-duty environment, Construction Review learns from Phil Walker, the Managing Director of RCR Flooring Products South Africa.
As the limitations of ‘conventional’ concrete floors in industrial warehouses continue to be exposed, strangely enough, wrong procurement decisions, which are costing infrastructure developers in Africa billions in replacement and repair costs, continue to be made.
However, it is uplifting to note that reinforcing concrete floors with steel fibre, addresses this challenge adequately. Construction Review seeks the opinion of Managing Director of RCR Flooring Products South Africa, Phil Walker, on the relevance of this innovation in African construction, based on his company’s rich experience. RCR is widely known as the leading supplier of steel fibre concrete reinforcing solutions,as well as other products worldwide.The company sources its products from its strategic partner, Bekaert.
A recommended option
Walker firmly believes that steel fibre reinforced concrete floors should be a top priority in projects, as they play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and efficient environment.
When exposed to constant pounding from activity, ordinary concrete floors easily give in to incessant cracking which proves difficult and costly to contain. In comparison, when reinforced with steel fibre which optimises crack control, explains Walker, concrete floors are more durable even in the most demanding and heavy-duty environment.
Operational advantages
Through meticulous engineering, the strengthened or reinforced concrete floors have optimal load bearing capacity, optimum crack control, high impact resistance and high fatigue resistance.
Walker says: “On the whole, the reinforced concrete floors bring the following operational benefits: they cost much less to maintain and repair, have a longer lifespan as they have optimised thickness, and better performance. Further, with their enhanced robustness, mesh is not needed during construction.
“The steel fibre reinforcement is evenly distributed throughout the concrete – at the top layer, in the core, at the sides, at the bottom, enabling it to withstand extreme forces. Ultimately, the fibre rises to the occasion when called to task.”
Above and beyond, the steel fibre reinforced industrial floors enable organisations to meet the most demanding hygiene, safety, and environmental requirements.
Multifaceted applications
On its part, RCR South Africa has gone a notch further in the supply of steel reinforced fibre solutions by sourcing products to suit a project’s particular requirements, from standard industrial floors to the most demanding one-off applications.
Underscoring the significance of this approach, Walker says: “We are aware that every industry has its own very specific needs, from the liquid-impermeable surfaces in the chemical industry to the foundations for high-tech clad racks and floors on piles.”
Through its partnership with Bekaert, RCR is guaranteed of the right quality and quantity of products at all times. Bekaert manufactures products through its factories which are based in eight countries after intensive research and development.
Besides warehouses, the products can be used in heavy-duty pavements for harbours, airports, and other outdoor industrial activities. It has options for saw-cut floors and bonded overlays, jointless floors, standard floor and hard standings, seamless floors, liquid tight floors, thin jointless renovation floors, coated floors and industrial floors.
Besides steel fibres, the company stocks the following most sought after construction products: steel fibres, formwork, armoured joints, bonding agents, dry-shake toppings, decorative finishes, floor hardeners, accelerating additives,curing and sealing compounds, cleaning solvents and detergents.
Growing niche
Walker says that, over the years, RCR’s range of steel fibres have become a popular choice in concrete reinforcement in various industries in South Africa. Now, the company is making inroads in various industries in Sub Saharan Africa. “We are focused on convincing purchasing managers that steel fibre reinforced concrete is a necessity in the current construction environment in which procurement oversights can be costly to redress,” he says.
