Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Concrete Slab Project

Your business may rely on a steady stream of online sales, but it’s your concrete reinforcement that’s holding your physical business together. For that reason, it’s essential to build your next fulfillment center or warehouse with the concrete reinforcement that rules them all: Helix Micro Rebar.

It’s also important to note that the demand for well-built and maintained fulfillment centers and warehouses is rising as the number of people who shop online continues to skyrocket. 

These vast facilities with hundreds of thousands of square feet of floor space require durable, high-performance concrete slabs capable of withstanding heavy loads, high traffic and constant operational pressures.

Why Traditional Concrete Slabs Can’t Handle the Pressure

As you know, concrete slabs in fulfillment centers and warehouses take a beating. They’re exposed to extreme conditions, such as forklifts and pallet racks, and even the construction process itself has issues. Traditional concrete reinforcements, such as rebar and mesh, can be very challenging for your contractor and crew.

  • Difficult rebar installation. Designing, installing, tying and working around rebar when placing concrete for large slabs is time-consuming and frustrating, requiring highly skilled labor and precise placement.
  • Cracking and Shrinkage. It’s going to happen eventually, but it’s important to delay things as long as possible. Concrete slabs reinforced with rebar or mesh often crack sooner than those reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar.
  • Rusty rebar. (Must we say more?) Sitting outside waiting for installation, rebar can corrode, leading to weakened structural performance and eventual slab failure.
  • Costly repairs. As cracks form and joints weaken, the cost to do a slab replacement continues to rise. Stopping operations in your busy fulfillment center is not an option.

The Five BIG Ways How Helix Micro Rebar Improves Concrete Slabs in Fulfilment Centers and Warehouses

Here are some of the key ways that Helix Micro Rebar benefits fulfillment centers and warehouses.

Still today, the logistical complexity of ordering, transporting and storing bulky steel rebar means that you need to dedicate significant time, personnel and project coordination, leading to increased project costs. 

Increased Slab Durability

Each piece of Helix Micro Rebar is twisted to keep your concrete together, just like a screw used in two pieces of wood. Since the reinforcement is disbursed throughout the entire slab, weak points are addressed.

Faster Construction

Rebar requires time-consuming installation, but Helix Micro Rebar is simply mixed into the concrete at your batch plant. This reduces onsite construction time and helps to build your slabs faster. 

Long-Term Crack Resistance

Our evenly distributed steel reinforcement reduces shrinkage cracking and improves the slab’s resistance to load-induced cracks. The result is a concrete slab that can handle high traffic and heavy equipment.

Lower Costs on Your Fulfillment Centers and Warehouses

By reducing the amount of rebar and labor required, choosing Helix Micro Rebar lowers your upfront construction costs.

Corrosion-Resistant Concrete Reinforcement

Helix Micro Rebar arrives in convenient cardboard boxes and is not stored outdoors where elements can reduce its effectiveness. Also, unlike traditional rebar, it is corrosion-resistant, even in high-moisture environments, ensuring the longevity of the slab.

Sustainable Development

Let’s reduce the damage we do to our natural environment. Helix Micro Rebar reduces the need for steel by up to 50% compared to traditional rebar reinforcement. Also, its long-lasting performance means fewer repairs and replacements, reducing the environmental impact over its entire lifespan.

Sustainable Development

Let’s reduce the damage we do to our natural environment. Helix Micro Rebar reduces the need for steel by up to 50% compared to traditional rebar reinforcement. Also, its long-lasting performance means fewer repairs and replacements, reducing the environmental impact over its entire lifespan.

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Helix Micro Rebar Has Proven Success in Fulfillment Centers and Warehouses

Here are just a few of the thousands of projects that Helix Micro Rebar has been used in.

Distribution Warehouse

Livonia, Michigan

Helix Steel replaced all of the WWM reinforcement for each SOG application with a Helix Micro Rebar reinforcement dosage of 9 lb/yd3.

Learn more

Dynarex Warehouse

Middletown, New York

By utilizing Helix Steel’s design, over 290 tons of steel were eliminated from the new Dynarex Warehouse in Middletown, NY. The original slab was thinned by 1.5″ while the foundation walls were optimized with a 100% replacement of the double layer of rebar.

Learn more

Park Avenue Warehouse – Gamas Customs & Logistics

Larado, Texas

Park Avenue Construction built this 300,000-square-foot logistics center similar to a previous project they had completed for Allied Properties. To ensure the highest efficiency of the slab, Helix Micro Rebar was used at two different doses: 9 lb/yd³ for the parking area and 13.5 lb/yd³ for the drive aisles.

Learn more

You can see many more success stories for warehouses and other applications using our Project Finder.

Build Smarter. Contact Helix Steel.

Interested in learning more about how Helix Micro Rebar will improve so much about your next warehouse or fulfillment center? 

Speak with one of our project managers, and we’ll walk you through the benefits, answer questions and, if you’re still unsure, we’ll work out the logistics to get a test performed based on your dosage and requirements.

It all starts with a no-obligation email right now. If you have specs ready to share and would like an equivalent Helix Micro Rebar dosage, use our Submit a Project form.

If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 20 years, you may be delighted to know that the construction industry is pushing toward greener practices. This is great news, as many of the resources that the industry relies on are simply not renewable or are responsible for harm to our natural environment.

Game-changing products are now reaching the minds of contractors, engineers and developers – and approved for use throughout North America – that not only help to make our planet a tad more green but also help those who build the infrastructure humans rely on.

Helix Micro Rebar is such an innovation. It’s a one-inch concrete reinforcement that can reduce hundreds of thousands of pounds of steel in a single concrete slab. The tiny twisted-steel shape is the anti-rebar, the ultimate reinforcement that cuts costs, saves time, and as you could guess by the title of this article, reduces your project’s effects on the environment.

So, what’s the big deal with Helix Micro Rebar, and how does it contribute to a more sustainable America?

The Efficiency is in the Design

Helix Micro Rebar is mixed directly into the concrete prior to placement, providing multi-directional strength and creating a solid composite solution that greatly reduces the need for traditional rebar. 

This ‘tiny’ shift in approach reduces material use, transportation needs and labor costs—all of which contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. 

By improving the tensile strength of concrete, Helix Micro Rebar allows builders to use less material while maintaining high performance, reducing the volume of concrete needed for each project.

Project Highlight: Lake Havasu City Pavement Rehabilitation

Lake Havasu City in Northwest Arizona faces serious issues with its asphalt roads due to the extremely high desert temperatures. Since asphalt temperatures are 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the temperature of the air, damage to roads is frequent, especially in places where vehicles are braking and turning.

Seeking a more durable solution for one road in particular, Lake Havasu City chose Protek Construction to replace straight sections of asphalt with new asphalt, while high-wear-and-tear intersections would be replaced with concrete reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar. 

Each pour included a heavy dosage of 22-1/2 lb/yd of Helix Micro Rebar, ensuring enhanced durability and crack resistance for decades to come.

The switch to Helix Micro Rebar also resulted in a carbon footprint reduction of over 30%!

Doing a job faster and better with Helix Micro Rebar is one thing, but Protek greatly valued working with the Helix Steel professionals who understand the importance of putting their all into every project.
Read more about this fascinating infrastructure project here.

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A Concrete Reinforcement That’s More Durable and Lasts Longer

Sustainable construction isn’t just about reducing immediate environmental impacts—it’s about creating structures that last. 

Buildings and infrastructure reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar benefit from superior crack resistance and increased durability, leading to a longer lifespan with less maintenance. 

This reduces the need for repairs and building replacement, further cutting down on resource consumption and waste over the concrete’s life.

Pier 57 Ferris Wheel - Helix Steel

Project Highlight: Pier 57 Ferris Wheel

Pier 57 is a Seattle waterfront location that’s favored by tourists and locals. It was lengthened to construct a 156 ft diameter Ferris wheel which opened in 2012. Helix Micro Rebar reinforcement was incorporated into the project design to fully replace the #6 rebar cages inside 53 piles. This application allowed the owner a significant reduction in material and labor cost.

A total of 980 yd3 of concrete was placed by Manson Construction and pumped by Conco Pumping with concrete supplied by Cal Portland of Seattle. There were 23,420 lb of Helix Micro Rebar reinforcement added into the concrete at the batch plant that replaced all of the structural rebar cages.

Check out our project profile to learn more about the Pier 57 Ferris Wheel. 

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An American Product That Expedites Construction and Improves Sustainability

The efficiency gained from specifying Helix Micro Rebar goes beyond reducing materials. By eliminating the need for rebar and mesh, concrete projects can significantly cut down on construction time. 

This not only saves labor but also reduces the emissions associated with longer construction schedules—less time on-site means less fuel consumed by machinery and fewer emissions from transportation.

Lower Your Project’s Carbon Footprint

Concrete production is one of the largest contributors to CO2 emissions in the construction industry. By enabling thinner concrete slabs and reducing your steel reinforcement needs, we will help you to decrease the carbon footprint of your projects.

Implementing a product like this fits nicely with programs that guide and certify the sustainability and environmental performance of your project, like LEED, BREEAM, WELL Building Standard and Green Globes.

Helix Micro Rebar is More Than a Product; It’s a Rethinking of Concrete Innovation

Helix Micro Rebar is more than just a reinforcement product—it’s an essential tool for building a sustainable future through the construction industry.

We can need to do a better job of taking meaningful steps toward a greener, more efficient future. Reach out to Helix Steel to learn more about the benefits of innovative thinking.

Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world, but it is imperfect, with challenges that only reinforcement can overcome.

Unfortunately, even concrete reinforcement has its challenges! Traditional reinforcement materials, like steel rebar, have been a mainstay for over a century, but they corrode, are difficult to manage and can cost far more than it’s worth.

It’s time for construction professionals (like you!) to embrace an American-made solution that helps improve concrete while simplifying the construction processes.

Let’s explore these challenges and solutions that are embraced by contractors, engineers and developers alike.

Corrosion of Rebar Leads to Concrete Failure

Steel rebar’s main challenge is corrosion, especially when concrete is exposed to moisture and other earthly elements that encourage water penetration, like salt. 

Over time, concrete cracks will form, leading to expensive and inconvenient repairs or even total failure. This is especially certain when contractors use rebar that is already corroding. The bond between concrete and rebar is important, and rust on the surface of the rebar could be damaging. 

Helix Micro Rebar is a one-inch twisted steel reinforcement that is dispersed through concrete. Its design and strength reduce cracks and corrosion. This hands-free reinforcement is stored indoors to reduce water saturation prior to concrete placement.

Rebar Delivery and Installation Delays

If you remember the logistical nightmares of the global pandemic, you understand how securing materials for a project is often the leading cause of headaches. 

Still today, the logistical complexity of ordering, transporting and storing bulky steel rebar means that you need to dedicate significant time, personnel and project coordination, leading to increased project costs. 

Depending on your scope of work, Helix Micro Rebar is often ready for delivery within just a few days and conveniently shipped in compact 45-pound boxes, allowing for faster installation and fewer logistical challenges. 

Helix Micro Rebar not only shortens delivery timelines but also diverts your labor, meaning all of those hours can be spent working on other elements of your project. As a result, your construction project can stay on schedule – or even cut your timeline by weeks!

Rebar Design Complexities

Traditional rebar and mesh are rigid shapes that limit designability. Creating intricate configurations of these reinforcements can be labor-intensive and cause placement errors. 

Since Helix Micro Rebar is disbursed in your concrete prior to placement, there’s often no need to spend extra time on reinforcement – it conforms to even the most stubborn geometries. This allows engineers and architects to enjoy the strength and stability of concrete without rebar complexities.

Concrete Crack Complications

Whatever application concrete is needed in, there’s always the concern that concrete will crack. Sure, it’s a science to reduce concrete cracks, but even in the best-case scenarios, they will eventually happen.

For more than 20 years, America’s concrete slabs, homes, bridges, and even tunnels have been reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar to reduce cracks even under extreme conditions.

Helix Steel’s twisted steel reinforcement resists cracking unlike any other by providing multidirectional support throughout the concrete. This reduces weaknesses and helps distribute loads. For higher loads, dosages can be formulated to increase the amount of Helix Micro Rebar.

Cost Efficiency

If you work in the construction industry, you know that money is the bottom line. Not only does Helix Micro Rebar reduce the need for steel reinforcement, but it also minimizes the amount of concrete and labor needed to complete the project. 

Helix Micro Rebar has resulted in countless savings for developers and contractors seeking to reduce their costs while using a superior product.

Overcome Rebar’s Challenges – Learn More About Helix Micro Rebar

The incredible challenges of concrete reinforcement – whether it’s corrosion, delivery delays, design issues or cracking – require different thinking that improves performance, saves money and reduces complexities for construction leaders like you.

Helix Micro Rebar is the answer to the rebar blues. Check out our recent project profiles, learn more about benefits for your occupation and reach out to our project team to learn more about how we can help on your next project. We are here to help!

The future of humanity’s information and communication is riding on engineers’ ability to design data centers that are constructed wisely and operate efficiently.

Engineers are now thinking more “outside of the box” and recognize the importance of exploring alternatives to the standard processes and materials that their predecessors used.

One such alternative is a tiny, one-inch solution called Helix Micro Rebar. Combined with thousands of others like it, this concrete reinforcement transforms concrete into a solid mass that reduces cracks and has many other efficiencies.

How Does the Helix Advantage Help to Engineer Better Data Centers?

Footings and Slabs That Can Take the Weight

Helix Micro Rebar improves the structural integrity of concrete used in data center construction. Its twisted steel design, dispersed throughout the concrete slabs and footings, offers far better crack resistance and load-bearing capacity than mesh or standard rebar.

For engineers, this means data centers can be built without sacrificing strength, leading to more efficient designs.

Data Center Construction Completed Sooner

As engineers are well aware, time is always a critical factor in data center construciton. By eliminating the need for traditional rebar placement, Helix Micro Rebar allows for faster construction.

Engineers, developers and contractors can have quicker completion times. This also means fewer delays, reduced labor costs and the almost unheard-of ability to meet tight deadlines.

Also expediting the timeline is that Helix Micro Rebar is often added at the ready-mix plant, reducing costs, limiting storage needs and saving valuable time. Clients of Helix Steel say they save one day of construction for every 10,000 square feet of rebar they replace with Helix Micro Rebar reinforcement. In the case of a large data center, those valuable days could expedite the entire project!

Reduced Steel Reinforcement and a Smaller Carbon Footprint

Not only can engineers enjoy a higher-quality concrete solution, but depending on the dosage of Helix Micro Rebar, the shear amount of steel reinforcement will also be reduced.

Traditional rebar contributes to significant carbon emissions during production and transportation. American-made Helix Micro Rebar, with its lower steel requirements, helps engineers to design ‘greener’ data centers that align with sustainability goals.

Engineers designing with sustainability top of mind can use Helix Micro Rebar to help achieve eco-certifications such as LEED and the WELL building standard.

Less Maintenance on Concrete Cracks

Engineers need to have a two-pronged approach to design: consider the needs of today while being proactive in addressing the concerns of tomorrow.

This is especially true for data centers, which must be reliable and cost-effective to maintain. Helix Micro Rebar increases the durability of the concrete, reducing cracking and corrosion. For engineers, this translates into longer-lasting facilities with lower maintenance needs.

Fewer repairs = fewer disruptions = long-term savings!

Data Center Engineers Wanted

Using Helix Micro Rebar in your data center design is an easy approach that supports concrete durability, project efficiency and environmental sustainability. 

If you want to lead the way in building better, stronger and greener data centers, let us know. Even better, register for a lunch and learn – we’ll connect you with a personal presentation best suited for your needs

If you’re in the construction industry, you know about rebar – its good, its bad and its ugly. What you may not know is that there is an all-steel concrete reinforcement that takes much of the “bad” and “ugly” out of the mix.

It’s called Helix Micro Rebar, and as construction projects increase in complexity, cost and time, more industry professionals are relying on this tiny one-inch twisted reinforcement more than ever before.

In the spirit of transparency and friendly competition, here is a comparison outlining the facts and figures on traditional rebar and Helix Micro Rebar. Have a look and see the difference for yourself.

Helix Micro Rebar is an engineered solution that has been trusted for decades to reduce your timeline and costs. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in.

Comparison ItemTraditional RebarHelix Micro Rebar
What is it?A steel bar that is used to improve concrete strength and structural integrity.A twisted steel micro reinforcement that is mixed with concrete to create a composite concrete solution with strength.
SizeDiameter from ⅜ inch to 2.257 inches, with lengths up to 60 feet.

#8 rebar can be almost three pounds per foot.
Twisted pieces of metal one inch in length and 0.02 inches in diameter.

Arrives in 40-pound cardboard boxes.
InstallmentRequires manual placement on chairs and tying.Mixed directly into the concrete batch prior to concrete placement.
Team SupportFew rebar manufacturers have placement support.Support before, during and after concrete placement.
LaborLabor is required to store and move rebar, align chairs, place rebar and tie rebar.Labor is required for minimal rebar placement in specific applications, but otherwise can be used elsewhere onsite.
Strength PerformanceProvides strength in specific directions.Offers strength through every area of the concrete.
Crack ControlControls cracks along rebar lines.Distributes crack control throughout the concrete.
Material CostCost is lower but labor costs are high.Cost may be slightly higher, but labor costs are lower.
Construction TimeLonger due to placement and tying.Faster as Helix Micro Rebar is mixed into concrete at a batch plant.
Environmental ImpactMore waste from cut-offs and overlaps.Less waste due to uniform mixing. Helix Micro Rebar also reduces the amount of steel required in concrete.
Compatibility with Complex ShapesDifficult to reinforce complex geometries.Easily used for any shape due to pre-mixing with concrete.
Transportation & StorageRequires significant space for transportation and storage.Easier to transport due to compact packaging and lighter weights. Also, Helix Micro Rebar is only made in America.
AvailabilityDepends on the needs of the market, with delays of up to weeks.Ready for delivery in as little as a few days.
Standards and CodesWell-established in building codes.Assurance in various applications through the following: 

Uniform Evaluation Services

ICC-ES

Rethink Reinforcement. Consider Helix Micro Rebar.

Our team is here to show you how we can make concrete better while saving time and money. Trust the product with decades of experience and a team of engineers and product managers backing it up every day across North America.

Move your projects forward with Helix Micro Rebar – contact us today!

Let’s say you will be constructing another great building to support the American economy. Whether the structure is a warehouse, manufacturing facility, retail store or restaurant, you want to be certain that the project will be completed on time so that you can start achieving a return on your investment as soon as possible.

Many project elements are out of your control, but with a little digging, you keen developers learn that rethinking the products your contractor uses will deliver time and monetary savings like never before.

A key product that developers across America are using to achieve this is Helix Micro Rebar. It’s a one-inch twisted piece of metal that is mixed with concrete to provide your project with more benefits than you ever thought possible.

Helix Micro Rebar is an engineered solution that has been trusted for decades to reduce your timeline and costs. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in.

Eliminate up to 100% of Your Rebar Placement Costs

How long does it take to place rebar on a large concrete slab? Far too long! Factor in the enormous amount of time required for laborers to lug, cut, bend and place rebar. You also need to worry about the rebar chairs (plastic or metal rebar supports) and the back-breaking work needed to tie the rebar in place.

Now, think about removing up to 100% of this time, labor and material cost with Helix Micro Rebar. It’s significant and can mean the difference between handing off a building on time or not. 

A New Way to Save Time and Money in Warehouse Construction - Helix Steel 01

A Concrete Reinforcement That’s Faster to Install

Since Helix Micro Rebar is mixed directly with concrete prior to placement, concrete pours can be accelerated by 20%. With the faster installation time and reduction in placement costs, it’s estimated that for every 10,000 sq. ft. of concrete slab, one full day of construction is saved by replacing rebar with Helix Micro Rebar.

One day may not seem like a lot, but it can quickly add up when you’re building a large fulfillment center, manufacturing facility or warehouse. Even one week can be a game-changer when your timeline is already tight and external factors have a tendency to get in the way of a well-executed plan.

Streamlined Concrete Reinforcement Inspections

Through a simplified design process and installation, inspections are easier and quicker to complete than if you were to use rebar or wire mesh. Traditional inspections require in-depth inspection of horizontal placements, chair height and rebar spacing.

Helix Micro Rebar is mixed directly with your concrete so it is evenly distributed to reduce the need for complex pre-placement inspections. This results in a more straightforward inspection with a reduced risk of human error in installing concrete reinforcements.

Increased Productivity in Other Areas of Your Development

Finding great people to work on your project has never been as difficult as it is today. Instead of the best members of your crew working on installing rebar, they can instead be used in other areas of your project, helping to expedite work and helping to finish your development on time and on budget.

Your contractor’s crew can pivot to masonry work, framing, steel wall installation, insulation material application, landscaping and much more.

Safer Construction Sites

With less rebar, a smaller labor force and reduced tripped hazards, your contractor and his crew will have a safer work environment that may even reduce time off due to accidents.

As you can imagine, handling rusty rebar requires many safety precautions. Apart from standard construction site techniques and PPE, heavy rebar can be difficult to move safely across sites and may even require team lifting. Cutting and bending rebar can also result in injury when used improperly.

Choosing Helix Mciro Rebar means that your concrete reinforcement comes in easier-to-carry cardboard boxes, which can be poured directly into concrete. Read more about this safe process here.

Helix Micro Rebar Helps Develops Save Time and Money – Find Out How

It’s not every day that you stumble upon an innovative project that has been used for decades and is proven to save you time and money on every development.

Helix Micro Rebar has more than 20 years of experience in not only keeping concrete together but also in expediting construction schedules and saving money for developers. If you’re interested, don’t stop now. Reach out.

As contractors seek new ways to do more with less while providing superior results, there is one strong reinforcement product that is leading the charge: Helix Micro Rebar.

It’s a small one-inch twisted piece of metal that packs a mighty punch. When mixed with concrete prior to placement, it can create a composite material that is stronger than what any other concrete reinforcement can deliver. 

Here are eight ways that Helix Micro Rebar is leading the way in making concrete stronger, more durable for contractors, developers and engineers throughout North America.

Increases Tensile Strength

As you know, concrete has high compressive strength, but lacks tensile strength. To help out Earth’s mighty construction material, reinforcement is needed. 

Helix Micro Rebar is evenly distributed throughout your concrete to greatly spread out the stress of the concrete and increase tensile strength. It’s an essential part of applications that require higher structural strength and long-term durability.

Improves Crack Resistance

No one likes seeing concrete cracks. When Helix Micro Rebar is mixed with concrete, a network of crack prevention is created to stop cracks at the smallest level.

How does it work? Just like a screw does a better job at keeping wood together than a nail, Helix Micro Rebar’s screw-shaped profile keeps cracks from even starting. 

Creates Multidirectional Reinforcement

Standard concrete reinforcement like rebar and mesh are rigid in the direction that they work, often running either horizontally or vertically. Helix Micro Rebar’s distribution throughout concrete in every direction imaginable helps to ensure that there is uniform strength throughout, withstanding forces at whichever angle they originate.

Reduces Shrinkage Cracking

As concrete cures, reducing shrinkage cracking is a major challenge. Helix Micro Rebar’s unique design helps to mitigate concrete stresses in this crucial stage while also establishing long-term concrete strength.

Helix Steel’s team of engineers is here to help you determine the exact dosage of Helix Micro Rebar for your specific application. This fully engineered approach will reduce shrinkage cracks at no additional cost.

A New Way to Save Time and Money in Warehouse Construction - Helix Steel - Featured

Improves Load-bearing Capacity

Whether you’re constructing a warehouse with Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems or a slab-on-grade concrete parking lot for heavy transport trucks, Helix Micro Rebar’s dose can be customized to deliver reinforcement results that are superior to anything else. 

By creating concrete with more load-bearing capacity, you’re helping to make structures that are safer and require less maintenance.

Enhances Impact Resistance

For concrete applications that may result in significant impacts, like roads, parking structures and industrial facilities, Helix Micro Rebar has been shown to hold concrete together better.

In third-party explosion tests, we have seen Helix Micro Rebar perform far better than rebar. For concrete projects that make an impact, trust us to support you best!

Increases Flexural Strength

Helix Micro Rebar greatly improves concrete’s ability to resist bending forces. This is incredibly useful for applications like slabs on grade, slabs on metal decks, and other concrete elements that have bending stresses. 

For slabs on grade, this means better resistance to heavy loads from heavy equipment and vehicles, reducing the risk of cracks and extending the lifespan of the pavement.

Reduces Concrete Pours

In many applications, Helix Micro Rebar’s benefits in strength and durability allow for a reduction in the amount of concrete required for your project. That means fewer concrete pours, which can significantly cut down on your concrete costs, labor costs and placement timeline. 

Helix Micro Rebar Makes Concrete Stronger – and Much More!

Added strength is just one of the many benefits of Helix Micro Rebar. You also get concrete design services from Helix Steel’s in-house engineering team, delivery to your local batch plant, significant time savings and project cost reductions.

Ready to learn more? Reach out to our American engineering team to talk about your upcoming project and how Helix Micro Rebar helps. 

Whether your civil engineering project needs concrete that withstands stress, can last longer or is more cost-effective, Helix Steel is here to help. 

Civil engineering includes buildings, bridges, dams, towers and other types of concrete infrastructure, such as water supply systems. Civil engineers are here to ensure these structures are safe and functional and have a huge responsibility.

Helix Steel’s Helix Micro Rebar is a concrete reinforcement that is transforming how engineers approach civil engineering challenges. Although only one inch in length, the tiny twisted piece of metal is mixed with concrete to create a long-lasting composite material. 

The Durango-Mazatlán Highway tunnels in Mexico were built in a mountainous area using Helix Micro Rebar in shotcrete applications.

Three Major Benefits of Helix Micro Rebar Reinforcement in Civil Applications

More Durability and Strength

Traditional rebar and mesh result in weak points and can begin to rust even before installation, resulting in corrosion. Helix Micro Rebar, composed of intricately designed twisted steel, is uniformly distributed throughout the concrete, providing a more uniform reinforcement. 

This distribution, combined with the twisted steel, significantly reduces cracks and greatly increases the tensile strength of the concrete, making structures like concrete bridges and roads more durable.

Increased Construction Process Efficiency

Mixing Helix Micro Rebar with concrete at the batch plant prior to delivery to the construction site helps reduce site complications and reduces the time spent placing and tying rebar

This simplified option reduces labor on this aspect, which allows them to be better spent on other elements of the project. Depending on the application, there could be additional efficiency gained by placing less concrete and finishing the project aspect sooner.

Reduced Construction Costs

Pivoting your crew to work on other tasks instead of tying rebar will reduce your labor costs.  On average, every 10,000 sq. ft. of rebar/mesh replaced with Helix Micro Rebar saves one full day of construction.

Depending on the size of your civil engineering project, the savings can be a game-changer, and help to give your business a step ahead in the bidding process, while others can’t compare.

Civil Engineering Case Studies

Route 76 Bridge

Cape Fair, Missouri

In Cape Fair, Missouri, the bridge over Table Rock Lake, built in 1957 and carrying more than 4,000 vehicles daily, was in desperate need of repair.

Precast panels were designed to replace the main sections of the bridge. A combination of FasTrac rapid-setting concrete and Helix Micro Rebar reinforcement was used to provide connections between each precast panel. The concrete was mixed on-site in ½-yard batches with a barge being used to safely install the precast panels over the Lake below.

Read more about the Route 76 Bridge

Metro Transit Authority tunnel

Metro Transit Authority East Side Access Tunnel

Manhattan, New York

The Metro Transit Authority’s East Side Access project was the nation’s largest public transportation project and the first expansion of the Long Island Rail Road in more than 100 years. It connects the rail line via underground tunnels to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Helix Steel provided Helix Micro Rebar for cast-in-place tunnel lining and shotcrete applications.

Read more about the East Side Access Tunnel

Lake-Havasu-City

Lake Havasu City Pavement Rehabilitation

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu City in Northwest Arizona faces serious issues with its asphalt roads due to the extremely high desert temperatures. Seeking a more durable solution for one road in particular, Lake Havasu City chose Protek Construction to replace straight sections of asphalt with new asphalt, while high-wear-and-tear intersections would be replaced with concrete reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar. Each pour included a heavy dosage of 22-1/2 lb/yd of Helix Micro Rebar, ensuring enhanced durability and crack resistance for decades to come.

Read more bout the pavement rehabilitation

Civil Engineers Trust Helix Micro Rebar

It’s time that you consider alternatives to rebar and mesh to make your civil engineering projects more efficient, whether they are roads, dams, towers or bridges.

Take a moment to read more detailed case studies and then reach out to Helix Steel’s in-house engineers to maximize your civil engineering project today. 

The Pomranky family has trusted Helix Micro Rebar in their ICF projects throughout the Inland Northwest, helping to build one of the largest ICF product supply centers in the region.

“We are a one-stop shop for all things related to ICF,” says ICF Specialties owner Ed Pomranky. “But our real value lies in building relationships with our customers. They tell us that they feel like family when working with ICF Specialties.”

A family-owned business since 1999, ICF Specialties is an Inland Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) supplier that provides multiple products lines and exceptional service in its retail and wholesale facilities. It has contributed to the construction of hundreds of homes throughout the Pacific Northwest.

With two generations now managing the operations, with decades of experience in ICF, ICF Specialties is the go-to for customer education on design, training, supplies and installation guidance.

ICF Specialties is the Regional Must-Stop for Helix Micro Rebar

The Northwest is another region where Helix Micro Rebar has really caught on with local builders. “It’s amazing how many people are receptive when they learn how Helix Micro Rebar can save on time and labor,” says Pomranky. “We have been involved in a multitude of projects and currently include Helix Micro Rebar in all our quotes and designs every time. I would say at least 85% of the projects we have supported in the last five years are done with Helix.”

Helix Micro Rebar is an innovative concrete reinforcement unlike any other. It’s a one-inch twisted piece of steel combined with thousands of others to build a composite concrete element. By replacing rebar with this product, concrete durability increases and cracks decrease in a wide range of applications, from footings to slabs to ICF.

Not having to spend time and energy on rebar installation means significant time savings. For ICF projects like those that ICF Specialties supplies, Pomranky estimates that it reduces labor time by up to 25%!

Builders Trust the Concrete Reinforcement that Saves Times and Money

Homebuilders here are increasingly trusting Helix Micro Rebar and ICF construction. “We actually just had a customer who called ICF Specialties about Helix Micro Rebar,” says Pomranky. “This was because the inspector was insisting on #6 rebar for a standard concrete form board (non-ICF) concrete wall. The owner remembered when I was talking to him about Helix Micro Rebar and how it can either replace rebar or be used congruently with rebar. We were able to get him hooked up with our engineer and with the correct dose to satisfy the inspector’s request. He was extremely satisfied with the solution to his issue.”

Helix Micro Rebar Takes ICF to New Heights

Pomranky recalls one special project that would have been very challenging were it not for Helix Micro Rebar. “It was on a hillside with two huge homes above it,” he says. “The original engineering called for #5 12” of vertical and #5 16” of horizontal. With 9lbs per yard of Helix Micro Rebar, we were able to reduce the conventional rebar to #5 24” of vertical and 16” of horizontal. It also allowed us to increase the height of the wall from 9’6” tall to 14’2” and remove most of the rebar.”

It was the one simple change to Helix Micro Rebar that made the build much more cost-effective in both materials and labor, while giving the homeowner the opportunity to enjoy taller walls and more spacious interiors.

ICF Stops Wildfire in the Inland Northwest

Pomranky says that their customers “absolutely love” Helix Micro Rebar in ICF construction and that it has always stood the test of time—even when disaster strikes.

Last year, Pomranky’s own installers helped a homeowner build his own ICF home using Helix Micro Rebar. Unfortunately, two weeks after his concrete walls were poured and the center peak roof beam was put up for his roof rafters, a fire swept through the neighborhood and engulfed nearly all of the homes in the area. His home only had a roof beam and upstairs floor framing, which caught fire immediately. 

Unfortunately, the ICF home was fully burned, including the foam that melted off the walls, but the concrete walls themselves were still standing. Though highly compromised, this strong concrete structure had single-handedly stopped the fire from spreading to the home adjacent to it, resulting in five homes left fully intact!

The home was rebuilt and the homeowner is a firm believer that ICF and Helix Micro Rebar are the best duo for new home construction.

A Better Way to Build New Homes

The Pomranky family owns and operates ICF Specialties.

Insulated concrete forms using Helix Micro Rebar save time and money while resulting in homes that greatly improve energy efficiency.

If you’re in the Inland Northwest, drop by ICF Specialties in Spokane and learn more about the many reasons why the Pomranky family’s “one-stop shop for ICF” is your go-to for new home construction.

Would you like to learn how you can build smarter with ICF and Helix Micro Rebar? Reach out!

ICF Specialties

Serving the Inland Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho)

4915 S Ben Franklin Ln. #5

Spokane, WA 99224

509-599-7218

info@icfspecialties.com

www.icfspecialties.com

Helix Steel

Serving North America

734-322-2114

sales@helixsteel.com

www.helixsteel.com

Give Helix a Listen

Listen to Helix Steel’s Senior Account Executive Erica Marr talk about the power of Helix Micro Rebar in ICF in this “Build With ICF” podcast.