Cracking Under Pressure? Trust Helix Micro Rebar™ for Warehouses With Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are increasingly becoming essential for modern warehousing and distribution facilities, revolutionizing how materials and products are stored and retrieved.

These systems can increase space utilization by 90%, productivity levels by 90%, accuracy to 99.9%+ levels and throughput by 750 lines per hour/per operator or more depending on the configuration of the system. ¹

With countless benefits, these storage systems certainly are the way of the future, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t come with unique challenges—especially when it comes to the concrete slabs beneath them.

Concrete Slab Challenges in Facilities with ASRS

These high-rise structures are heavy and require a concrete slab that performs far better than the standard.

Challenge #1 – High Load Requirements

ASRSs need to be properly supported for the goods that they store as well as the hefty systems themselves. Traditional rebar reinforcement may struggle to meet the load capacity or require far more concrete to compensate for the difference.

Challenge #2 – Rebar Placement Issues

Thicker concrete, double rebar reinforcement, and ASRS anchor bolts often complicate the concrete process. This stage will incur added costs, but even more so when ASRS anchor bolts hit rebar—an entire installation project can come to a halt, resulting in expensive delays.

Challenge #3 – Flat Floor Requirements

With increased load at greater heights comes more need for a laser-accurate flat floor. Equipment like laser screeds need to perform at their very best to ensure the flattest surface.

---

^{1  Source}

How Helix Micro Rebar™ Addresses ASRS Challenges

By incorporating Helix Steel’s twisted reinforcement directly into the concrete mix, Helix Micro Rebar™ is able to improve the structural integrity of concrete slabs. In doing so, they are able to overcome all three of ASRS facility challenges:

Challenge #1 – High Load Requirements

Helix Micro Rebar™ improves the flexural strength and ductility of concrete, allowing it to withstand higher loads with far less rebar. Choosing this super-strong one-inch reinforcement allows ASRS buildings to support heavy loads with the durability, speed and safety you need, reducing cracking and shrinkage due to high loads.

In many applications like warehouses with ASRS, Helix Micro Rebar is combined with Infinity Slab, which has been used in projects featuring world-class businesses like Ulitum Cells, DHL and Wal-Mart.

Challenge #2 – Rebar Placement Issues

Rebar requires complex installation and inspection processes, demanding labor that is experienced and knowledgeable in these complexities. Since Helix Micro Rebar™ is added to concrete at the batch plant, and pours very similarly, your construction costs will be reduced, and rebar placement errors will be a thing of the past. 

Testing of Helix Micro Rebar™ has shown that it has increased pull-out strength for ASRS anchor bolts.

Perhaps most valuably, Helix Steel’s team works alongside your rack supplier and contractor to create a design based on the rack layout and bolt locations.

Challenge #3 – Flat Floor Requirements

With practically no rebar in the way of your laser screed’s operations, you will quickly see the difference that a reinforcement upgrade can make. Your screed will be able to move faster with the same accuracy while minimizing the need for other equipment and tools.

What to Do When Your ASRS Facility Needs to Do More

Move forward and have a conversation with Helix Steel. There will always be challenges with placing structural concrete slabs with ASRS, but with Helix Micro Rebar™ along to help, you will have answers to many of your most pressing issues. 

Learn more about how Helix Micro Rebar™ is revolutionizing the way ASRS buildings are constructed.

Register for an Upcoming Webinar

Schedule a Lunch & Learn

Learn More About Concrete Slab Construction