If you’re in the construction industry to improve buildings, revolutionize processes and work smarter, it may be time to rethink your concrete reinforcement.
“We were facing an impossible schedule given traditional construction methods,” says Ken Bowen, the retired former V.P. of Construction at Ashley Capital.
Founded in 1984, Ashley Capital has grown to be one of the top privately held real estate investment companies in the United States, and recently added the Livonia West Commerce Center – a gigantic 1.1 million-square-foot e-commerce fulfillment center – to its portfolio. The project was to be one of the largest the growing real estate business had ever worked on.
The concrete contractor for the project, located just outside of Detroit, Michigan, was The Gilardone Company. They realized that installing traditional reinforcement across the large space would require a costly crew of workers and several weeks of time. Instead, the Gilardone Company turned to Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement to reduce the construction schedule and provide Ashley Capital with a more durable floor.
“We have had exceptional results with Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement,” said Charles Gilardone, CEO of The Gilardone Company. “Our crews are impressed with the finish and speed Helix® Micro Rebar™ provides. Our general contractors, developers and building owners also like the quality of the concrete surfaces, and the durability, superior shrinkage control and value of the product.”
Fulfilling a Dream of Making Concrete Stronger Together
Helix® Micro Rebar™ was mixed with the concrete in the Ready Mix trucks, then poured directly onto the site, requiring only a small crew, and little time spent preparing the space.
The original design for the building’s concrete slab was 4″ SOG 1 layer of 6X6, W2.9/W2.9 mesh and 8″ SOG 1 layer of 6X6, W2.9/W2.9 mesh. Helix Steel replaced all of the WWM reinforcement for each SOG application with a Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement dosage of 9 lb/yd3.
The results were impressive. Using Helix® Micro Rebar™ increased the daily concrete pour rate by 20%, the concrete’s shear strength was increased by 64%, the modulus of rupture increased by 9% and the concrete’s durability also increased, estimated to be 23%.
Bowen is pleased with the result, “By using Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement we were able to save 70 days on the project and provide a superior product for a knowledgeable and fast-moving tenant.”
Reinforcing Your Project with Concrete Innovation
See a video highlighting the Livonia West Commerce Center’s concrete pour right here. Special thanks to the Gilardone Company and Drones Brothers for this footage.
For more information on Helix® Micro Rebar™ and its many benefits for developers and owners like Ashley Capital, contact Helix Steel today.
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