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T I TA N T I M E S | 2 0 1 8 Y E A R I N R E V I E W
07 - Taking Concrete Reinforcement to the Next Level with Advanced Geogrid Technology In 2017 we introduced TITAN ConForce Grid, a cutting- edge fiberglass geogrid alternative to conventional steel for concrete reinforcement. The first of its kind, TITAN ConForce Grid can be used in both aggressive and non-aggressive environments offering both control of surface shrinkage cracking in concrete, and structural reinforcement by increasing the concrete’s tensile, flexural and shear strength. Among the first to work with ConForce Grid was the City of Calgary, who successfully installed this innovative product in ground supported concrete slabs for pedestrian sidewalks. Performance was monitored to see how it would cut costs associated with the concrete itself and yearly rehabilitation work required to repair major cracking that occurred in the concrete slabs shortly after installation. By using Titan ConForce Grid, the City of Calgary is expected to save 12% in material costs in addition to realizing greater long-term savings by increasing the life cycle of their sidewalks. Nearly eighteen months after installation there is no surface cracking in any of the sidewalk sections indicating that TITAN ConForce Grid is performing very well.
Up until now this geogrid was limited to flat applications such as concrete slabs, bridge decks and floating slabs because it is produced and placed in sheets rather than rolls to ensure that glass fibers do not break while rolling and unrolling. However, this year we experimented with new materials such as basalt fiber and have developed a second type of ConForce Grid that is flexurally stiff yet can be rolled and unrolled without damaging the fibers. Basalt fiber has a similar composition to glass fiber but exhibits higher resistance in harsh environments. The elastic modulus of basalt fiber is around 86,000mPA compared to 73,000 mPA for fiberglass, and also features a higher melting point. This technological advancement appears promising for a wider range of concrete reinforcement applications mainly curvy structures such as concrete piles where our standard TITAN Conforce Grid can’t be used. “By using Titan ConForce Grid, the City of Calgary is expected to save 12% in material costs in addition to realizing greater long-term savings by increasing the life cycle of their sidewalks.”
For more on this and other Titan geogrids, please contact Sam Bhat, VP of Global Business Development and Chief Technical Officer of Geosynthetics at: info@titanenviro.ca or 1-866-327-1957
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