What are the advantages of using ecoSmart Concrete?

What are the advantages?

Whether architectural or environmental considerations,
ecoSmart Concrete outperforms all competitors.

Cost

In material alone, the cost savings can be up to 20% less as the CONTEC fibers are significantly cheaper than the price of steel per m2 of steel reinforced concrete.

Time

The concrete comes with the fibers already mixed in during the pour. The benefits is reduced labor hours and placement time, providing significant job savings. Therefore months can be saved compared to the time it takes to prepare steel reinforcement especially on large projects.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Steel is one of the most energy consuming materials to produce and construct with. With the significant reduction of steel within a project, plus the reduction of cement, while still achieving the required MPA strength, this in turn contributes greatly to improving the sustainability of a project.

Longevity

The synthetic CONTEC fibers do not corrode and will far outlast the life time of steel which is prone to rust, concrete cancer and degradation especially where good waterproofing additives are seldom used. It is also resistant to fatigue, a common problem when consistently heavy loads are involved.

Cracking Protection

The fibers infiltrate all parts of the concrete which bind the mass of the concrete together, creating quality concrete with reduced plastic shrinkage cracking

Reduces Bleed Protection

The combination of additives and fibers, when produced to the correct mix design, ensures that water is well distributed throughout and stored, thereby reducing bleed water and aggregate segregation.

Strength

Unlike conventional reinforcement which works in two dimensions, the fibers create three-dimensional reinforcement. Therefore its point load resistance, impact resistance and flexural strength is exceptionally high.

Self Levelling and distribution

With the use of specific additives within the mix, the concrete seamlessly distributes throughout the formwork thereby greatly or completely reducing the need for vibration, effectively removing air bubbles and reducing honeycombing. On a floor, the concrete settles smoothly without lumps or ridging. When trowel finished, there is no need for extra toppings and if required the surface can be polished as per normal concrete.