Bringing together the latest reinforcement and cement technology, a live demonstration featuring a panel lift also took place during the evening. The panel, designed by Pinnacle Structural Engineers, consisted of traditional steel reinforcement bars limited to 48-in. centers horizontally and vertically while the rest of the panel was reinforced with TSMR. The effort was discussed during the first Early Bird Roundtable of the event moderated by Luke Pinkerton of Helix and Don Grieve of Pinnacle Structural Engineers. The 4.5-in. think panel was lifted by TAS Commercial Concrete to demonstrate the fast set and 3-d reinforcement technology.
Imagine the valuable impact on the tilt-up industry if it were possible to reduce panel thickness by 20%, eliminate 70% or more of traditional rebar, and erect panels the same day they are poured. While any one of these provides incremental benefit, the combination of the three is an innovative and disruptive advancement within the industry that significantly improves project efficiencies, time to completion, and up-front cost advantages.
Helix™ Steel is pleased to announce the availability of Helix™ Micro-Rebar in the Building Systems Design (BSD) SpecLink-E platform. BSD SpecLink-E is leveraged by architects and engineers as a master guide specification writing, management, and production system to produce documentation for all types of projects.
With the addition of Helix™ Micro-Rebar, the architect and engineering communities can now specify it in concrete applications ranging from footers, piles, mat slabs, slabs on grade, slabs on metal deck and walls. The module is referenced in Section 03 30 00 – Cast-In-Place Concrete.
“Helix Steel is leading the charge in the adoption and advancement of practical applications for discontinuous concrete reinforcement, further enabling the next generation of construction.”, said Chris Doran, CEO of Helix Steel. “From Building Information Modeling and Specification platforms to 3D printed concrete, Helix Micro-Rebar continues to increase its global significance.”
For more information on Helix™ Micro-Rebar or for product selection assistance within BSD SpecLink-E, please contact sales@helixsteel.com or call (734) 322-2114.
About Helix™ Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix™ Steel is the manufacturer of Helix™ Micro-Rebar, the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix™ Steel is leveraged across a variety of markets including commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure, and in applications ranging from structural to temperature and shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance. We are an American Innovation with Global Significance.
#whatsinyourconcrete #buildwithstrength
Driven by customer and market demand, Fox Blocks, the Nebraska based Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) manufacturer, evaluated leading concrete reinforcement technologies for inclusion in their structures. This search identified Helix Steel Twisted Steel Micro Rebar (TSMR) as the ideal solution to reinforce concrete. Helix Steel TSMR is a 3-dimensional concrete reinforcement solution that has International Accreditations and Approvals covering 99 countries.
By incorporating Helix Steel TSMR in their structures Fox Blocks can provide customers with added strength, resiliency and durability – all while shortening the construction schedule and achieving sustainability objectives.
Over the past year teams from Fox Blocks and Helix Steel have collaborated from a design and engineering perspective, culminating in this Strategic Partner Alliance between the two companies. The Alliance enables Helix Steel TSMR to be supplied with Fox Blocks Insulated Concrete Forms across the entire Fox Blocks dealer network.
“The combination of Fox Blocks ICF and Helix Steel allows us deliver more resilient, durable and sustainable concrete structures to our customer base,” said Mike Kennaw, VP of Fox Blocks. “By including Helix Steel TSMR in our wall, slab and footing designs, our customers will realize the benefits of increased shear capacity, 3-dimensional concrete reinforcement and achieve elevated FEMA ratings for hurricane and tornadic activity. This Alliance empowers our partner network to deliver these industry leading solutions.”
“Helix Steel is excited about our involvement with Fox Blocks,” said CEO, Chris Doran. “The combination of our respective technologies will deliver tremendous value and time savings.”
About Fox Blocks (www.foxblocks.com)
Fox Blocks Insulated Concrete Form Wall Systems provide an extremely energy efficient building envelope offering superior strength, sound, air quality, and well insulated walls. Fox Blocks ICF building blocks is a division of Airlite Plastics Company.
About Helix Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix Steel is the manufacturer of Twisted Steel Micro Rebar (“TSMR”), the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel is leveraged across a variety of markets including commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure, and in applications ranging from structural to temperature and shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance.
A major online retailer recently began operations in a newly constructed 1.1 million square foot distribution facility near Detroit, Michigan several weeks ahead of schedule.
The Gilardone Company, the concrete contractor, realized that placing traditional steel reinforcement across 1.1 million square feet would require a crew of workers and several weeks of time. For this reason, the Gilardone Company turned to Helix Steel’s patented Helix™ Micro Rebar to reduce the construction schedule and provide Ashley Capital, the developer, with a superior performing and more durable floor.
Added directly into the concrete mix, Helix Micro Rebar eliminates the need for conventional rebar or WWM for slab-on-grade applications. Furthermore, as noted by Luke Pinkerton, CTO and Founder of Helix™ Steel, “unlike WWM or rebar, which requires a crack initiation to relieve stress, Helix™ Micro Rebar relieves stress before cracking occurs. This is critical when automated guided vehicles are used, as patches and non-level floor surfaces can disrupt automated storage and retrieval systems.”
The results were impressive. Using Helix Micro Rebar increased the daily concrete pour rate by 20%, saving valuable time on the construction schedule while eliminating the use of WWM and the associated installation labor costs. “We have had exceptional results with Helix reinforcement,” said Charles Gilardone, CEO of The Gilardone Company. “Our crews are impressed with the finish and speed Helix provides. Our general contractors, developers, and building owners also like the quality of the concrete surfaces, and the durability, superior shrinkage control, and value Helix provides.”
Ken Bowen, VP of Construction at Ashley Capital adds, “Ashley Capital was facing an impossible schedule given traditional construction methods using welded wire fabric but with Helix we were able to meet the schedule and provide a superior product for a knowledgeable and fastmoving tenant.”
A video showcasing grading, pouring and finishing process be accessed below:
About The Gilardone Company
Since 1959 the Gilardone Company has served Southeast Michigan as an innovative leader in concrete construction, specializing in commercial, industrial, and institutional flatwork.
About Helix™ Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix™ Steel manufactures the patented Helix Micro Rebar, the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel technology is used across commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure markets, and in many applications ranging from structural reinforcement to shrinkage and crack control.
#whatsinyourconcrete
Helix™ Steel is pleased to announce the launch of a new web-based tool to calculate savings gained by using Helix Steel’s patented Helix Micro Rebar product in slab-on-grade and slab-on-metal-deck construction projects.
The new ROI (Return On Investment) calculator allows customers to input details of their projects and obtain potential savings that could be achieved by replacing existing rebar and welded wire mesh with Helix Steel’s patented Helix Micro Rebar product. All aspects of immediate costs and savings are included, such as reinforcement material costs, labor savings, project time savings, and reduction in steel used and carbon dioxide emissions.
Bobby Stewart, of SoCon Products, a concrete contractor who operates on the East Coast says, “The ROI calculator was spot on in predicting the value I’ve seen across the Helix projects we’ve completed. Now it’s easier than ever to show our clients the value Helix Micro Rebar offers.”
To try this innovative tool for your own project, visit https://www.helixsteel.com/resources/, or contact Helix Steel at 734-322-2114 or sales@helixsteel.com.
“As we begin to deliver on our application strategy in 2018, the ROI calculator is one of several tools we will be bringing to assist our customers,” said Helix Steel CEO, Chris Doran. “By allowing our customers to enter their respective costs and project details, we are empowering them to see the value that Helix Steel can deliver to their next project.”
If you are attending the 2018 World of Concrete (#WOC2018), please come by our booth for a live demonstration of the ROI application. North Hall, Booth 3007. #WhatsInYourConcrete
About Helix Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix™ Steel, a Pensmore™ company, manufactures the patented Twisted Steel Micro Rebar (“TSMR”), the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel technology is used across commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure, and in many applications ranging from structural reinforcement to shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance.
When Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean island of St. Maarten with sustained winds of 185 mph (298 kph) on September 6, 2017, the devastation was incredible. Most buildings, including concrete structures, suffered extensive damage.
The Indigo Green development was a notable exception – their structures survived virtually unscathed. Indigo Green wanted to build the most safe, comfortable and disaster-resistant homes possible and used the best technologies and construction techniques available. One key to this was specifying concrete with the maximum impact resistance and strength. For concrete slabs, stairs, and walls, Helix™ Steel’s patented Helix Micro Rebar was used to almost double the shear strength of the concrete as well as significantly increase its durability and crack resistance.
“Using Helix Micro Rebar led to more durable concrete and provided much-needed hurricane resistance,” noted Rene Lepine, Managing Director at Indigo Green. “Helix technology was a key factor in the way our buildings survived Hurricane Irma’s destructive winds so well. In addition, we were able to save considerable time during construction since much less steel work was required.”
According to Helix Steel CTO Luke Pinkerton, “Helix Micro Rebar technology was originally invented to provide blast resistance for concrete structures. This makes our product exceptional for use in situations where extreme stresses occur, such as those seen in hurricanes and tornadoes. We are very happy that our Helix Micro Rebar was able to withstand the force of Hurricane Irma and help save lives in this catastrophe.”
About Indigo Green (http://www.indigogreen.sx/en/)
Indigo Green is a leading example of a community of well-built oceanfront homes that have benefited from the latest technologies, construction methods and state-of-the-art products to deliver comfortable, safe, resilient and sustainable homes.
About Helix Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix™ Steel, a Pensmore™ company, manufactures the patented Helix Micro Rebar, the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel technology is used across commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure, and in many applications ranging from structural reinforcement to shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance.
Since 1967, Phillips Hardy’s mission has been to deliver projects on time and on budget while leveraging their expertise in a quest for innovation to bring value to their customers. One of their customers has been dealing with aging bridge infrastructure, resulting in increasing construction demands and funding shortfalls.
Phillips Hardy set out to find ways to make infrastructure more resilient, enabling longer lifespans and lower lifecycle costs, while supporting higher traffic demands. That search led them to Helix Steel and its twisted steel micro reinforcement technology called Micro Rebar.
“By adding Helix Micro Rebar to the concrete mix, we have been able to deliver a bridge deck overlay that is less susceptible to deterioration and cracking,” said Jason Stastny, Project Manager from Phillips Hardy. “Our current bridge deck repair contract with MoDOT continues to show how Phillips Hardy strives to deliver on its promise that through quality workmanship, value engineering, and diligent planning, we create confidence in a job well done.”
“The bridges we are reinforcing as part of this initial project exemplify how innovation can drive much needed change across infrastructure in the United States,” said Chris Doran, CEO of Helix Steel. “MoDOT has taken the initiative to nd better ways to build. It is imperative that we continue to strive to build bridges, roads, dams, tunnels and all other types of infrastructure with resilience and longer lifespans in mind. This will ensure that the generations that come after us are not left holding the bill to rebuild again.”
About Phillips Hardy (www.phillipshardy.com)
Phillips Hardy has been in the construction business since 1967. Our core businesses of grading and utility construction are complimented with our expertise and experience in heavy highway and bridge construction for the Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Iowa departments of transportation and other governmental entities.
About Helix Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix Steel, a Pensmore company, is the manufacturer of Twisted Steel Micro Rebar (“TSMR”), the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel is leveraged across a variety of markets including commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground, and infrastructure, and in applications ranging from structural to temperature and shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance.
The expansion in capacity reaffirms our commitment to continued ISO 9001:2015 certified American manufacturing, increasing jobs, and driving local economic development in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“We are very happy with our sustained growth in manufacturing in the United States,” said Luke Pinkerton, Founder and CTO of Helix Steel. “We are experiencing increased demand from owners, developers and general contractors due to the many advantages Helix Steel brings to a variety of projects – including distribution and logistics centers, manufacturing facilities and large multi-family developments. The US steel industry is rebounding, and with continued support for Buy America compliant solutions, Helix Steel will be able to deliver our American innovation on the global stage.”
The rapid adoption of Helix Twisted Steel Micro Rebar and the renewed focus on rebuilding tunnels, highways, bridges, dams and other critical infrastructure have created historic demand.
Helix Steel, when mixed into ordinary concrete, provides unprecedented resistance to cracking and is the only product with an ISO 17065 evaluation report that shows compliance with the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for use of the product to augment or fully replace traditional reinforcing steel. The company has 15 years of experience, reinforcing millions of square feet of concrete worldwide.
“Today, when we are constantly hearing about major failures of tunnels, bridges, dams and other vital structures, our goal is to change the conversation from how cheaply someone can build, to how it can be built to last,” said Helix Steel CEO, Chris Doran. “We challenge owners, architects, builders, designers and engineers to put more thought into how we build. Adding Helix Steel proactive concrete reinforcement technology to any project provides a longer lifespan and lower life-cycle cost.”
About Helix Steel (www.helixsteel.com)
Helix Steel, a Pensmore company, is the manufacturer of Twisted Steel Micro Rebar (“TSMR”), the leading proactive concrete reinforcement technology in the world. Helix Steel is leveraged across a variety of markets including commercial, industrial, precast, residential, underground and infrastructure, and in applications ranging from structural to temperature and shrinkage, crack, seismic, impact, and blast resistance.