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 Item	Traditional Rebar	Helix 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.
Size	Diameter 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.
Installment	Requires manual placement on chairs and tying.	Mixed directly into the concrete batch prior to concrete placement.
Team Support	Few rebar manufacturers have placement support.	Support before, during and after concrete placement.
Labor	Labor 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 Performance	Provides strength in specific directions.	Offers strength through every area of the concrete.
Crack Control	Controls cracks along rebar lines.	Distributes crack control throughout the concrete.
Material Cost	Cost is lower but labor costs are high.	Cost may be slightly higher, but labor costs are lower.
Construction Time	Longer due to placement and tying.	Faster as Helix Micro Rebar is mixed into concrete at a batch plant.
Environmental Impact	More 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 Shapes	Difficult to reinforce complex geometries.	Easily used for any shape due to pre-mixing with concrete.
Transportation & Storage	Requires 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.
Availability	Depends on the needs of the market, with delays of up to weeks.	Ready for delivery in as little as a few days.
Standards and Codes	Well-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 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.

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. 

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 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 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

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!

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.

Engineers at EPC/Design-Build firms have plenty on their minds. Think of all the regulations, potential project delays, cost overruns, contractual disputes, and the constant need to satisfy ever-demanding clients.

It’s about time suppliers come around to make their work lives easier. Enter Helix Steel, which is helping to make things better and easier for EPC/Design-Build firms.

Reinforcement for Duct Banks and Pipe Encasements

You’ve already made the decision to build smarter by encasing your pipes in concrete, which makes new cable installation faster and less expensive. Now it’s time to take the next step.

Our patented micro reinforcement is the perfect concrete reinforcement for below-grade applications. Helix Micro Rebar is a one-inch twisted piece of steel mixed with concrete in a mixer before placement. This innovation can remove up to 100% of your rebar from duct banks, pipe encasements, and many other concrete structures, saving you time, reducing steel, and lowering your project costs..

Why Do Duct Banks and Pipe Encasements Need Reinforced Concrete?

In most cases, concrete provides the most stable and durable environment for keeping pipes and the fragile cables within them safe.

Not only does concrete help prevent extreme cold and hot temperatures from damaging the contents, but it also provides additional strength to the PVC pipes and corrosion resistance.

What does that mean for owners? It results in less maintenance, higher durability and reduced downtime.

How to Install Duct Banks and Pipe Encasements with Concrete (Infused With Helix Micro Rebar)

This task involves surrounding your underground utilities with a layer of concrete, forming a protective barrier that increases the contents’ durability and longevity.

1. Dig the trench
2. Install the PVC pipes and necessary spacers or racks
3. Build the concrete forms
4. Mix Helix Micro Rebar with your concrete (as per the instructions Helix Steel provides)
5. Place the concrete (with the concrete reinforcement)
6. Allow to set
7. Remove the concrete forms
8. Cover the trench

Sure, it’s more complex than this simplified list, but we hope this will help you determine the steps to properly install these systems and ways you can reduce the time it takes to make it happen.

Learn More About Encasing Your Duct Banks and Pipe Encasements

This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to understanding more effective ways to install your below-grade concrete.

And keep in mind that Helix Micro Rebar can be used in these and many more applications, such as slabs, slabs on metal decks, ICF walls, and more. Reach out to our team right now and we’ll help answer any questions you may have.

Before you submit a bid proposal, you need to spend considerable time making your submission as thorough as possible, with details that will help you win the work.

Suppliers and subcontractors like your own need to balance cost efficiency, quality, speed, innovation, environmental consciousness, and much more. Even a small adjustment on one line item can make or break the entire submission.

Having worked with thousands of North America’s leading developers, engineers, and contractors over an endless list of projects, Helix Steel has developed a comprehensive list of ways to make your submission stand out from your competitors.

Here are some recommendations:

1. Understand the Project Requirements

The most important thing is to carefully review all of the documentation to ensure that you’re not missing important details for the project. Understanding the project requirements is crucial to ensuring that you put together the best submission possible.

If you have questions about the project, don’t be afraid to ask! A project built on ambiguities can make a simple task into a never-ending nightmare.

2. Include Accurate Cost Control Measures

Although pencil and paper still have their place in the world, using estimating software helps to ensure accuracy in costs and timing related to materials, labor and equipment.

Use data from past projects and rely on data given to you by your suppliers. A time-saving addition like Helix Micro Rebar can help reduce shipping costs and labor requirements and condense your construction timeline, reducing costs on your bottom line. 

Although Helix Micro Rebar is often ready to ship in just a matter of days, many other project supplies may not be. For that reason, it’s still important to make a contingency plan and cover potential cost overruns in other areas of the project.

3. Competitive Pricing Strategies

The most challenging part of any construction bid submission, whether it is a construction tender, bid, RFP, RFQ or pre-qualification documentation, you need to break down your costs to show the value that the developer is getting, while also ensuring you make money on the project. 

For this reason, every estimator should consider alternative materials or methods to reduce costs without compromising quality. In the case of concrete projects, Helix Micro Rebar can not only reduce costs and shrink your timeline, but it can also help give your concrete more strength than if you were to use only rebar. 

4. Include Relationships with Like-Minded Subcontractors

You have likely worked in this industry for a long time. Highlight your past and current relationships with suppliers, other subcontractors, developers and engineers who appreciate your business and work with you to make projects exceptional experiences.

5. Emphasize Project Efficiency

In today’s construction industry, which is focused on working smarter than ever before, it’s important to incorporate lean construction practices to reduce waste and help the project last longer. 

You can also include how modern technology like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and project management apps can be used by your team. However, as these technologies become more common, it’s becoming more important to focus on truly unique technologies that make your submission stand out.

6. Focus on Safety

The most important part of any job site is safety, so including how you plan to make job sites safer with safety protocols to minimize accidents and ensure a safe working environment will only help your case.

Focusing on safety also makes business sense. It will reduce lost-time incidents, reduce insurance costs and help to promote productivity.

7. Stand Out With Innovative Practices & Products

Take a look around you. Your competitors are doing things that were not possible just a few years ago. That means you too need to stay on top of innovation in the construction industry and dig deep into new practices and products that are tried, tested and true. 

Helix Steel’s innovative concrete reinforcements have been around, and have been used in some amazing structures. Not only do some of the world’s biggest brands trust Helix Micro Rebar, but it helps to make buildings stronger and more durable while reducing our dependent on steel. 

Stay updated with the latest construction technologies by joining webinars, subscribing to e-newsletters (at the bottom of our home page), visiting our LinkedIn page and talking with like-minded professionals.

Trust Helix Steel to Help You Stand Out With Your Construction Bid

Whether you’re responding to construction tenders, bids, RFPs, RFQs or pre-qualification documentation, trust Helix Micro Rebar and the team at Helix Steel to improve your chances of getting the work that helps to grow your business and build smarter than ever before.

Reach out to our project team members to help you understand much more about the Helix Micro Rebar difference.