Dramix® - Reinforcing the future - Bekaert

Dramix ®Reinforcing the future1n

The worldof concretehas never offeredso many creativeopportunities3n

“Dramix ® is positive proof thatadvanced technology does makea difference. It enables us toinnovate and create with concrete,reinforcing even the mostdemanding structures.At the same time, it allows us towork faster and save costs – bothcrucial factors in our business.“Mr. Jumrus KongsiriOwner of J Plus Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd & RegisteredProfessional EngineerBangkok, Thailand

Steel fibres creating new levelsof concrete reinforcement5DDramix®Dramix ®4DDramix®3DDramix®With its brand new range of Dramix ® products, Bekaert istaking steel fibre reinforcement to a whole new level.Stronger, safer, and more durable. And even moreconvenient to use. But most of all, opening up a new worldof possibilities for you to create with concrete.An updated and expanded rangeBekaert has redesigned and expanded its Dramix ® range of steel fibresfor concrete reinforcement. The existing range of steel fibres has beenrebranded as the 3D series. It remains widely recognized as the bestsolution currently on the market when it comes to performance andcost-efficiency. However, with the introduction of two brand new fibreseries in the Dramix ® range, Bekaert is again leading the way and takingsteel fibre reinforcement to the next level.Unique shapes, unique capabilitiesThe unique shape of the new Dramix ® 5D and 4D fibres already speaksfor itself. Engineered to perfection, the new Dramix ® steel fibres offerpreviously unavailable levels of anchorage, tensile strength and ductility,guaranteeing maximum performance. At the same time, they enable thebuilding industry to use steel fibre reinforcement in a wide range of newapplications. Whatever your project, Dramix ® provides you with the bestpossible solution.Years of research and innovationAs a pioneer in the field, Bekaert decided to use all of its know-how andexpertise to take steel fibre reinforcement one step further. Because atBekaert we believe steel fibres are now more than ever the future of concretereinforcement.7n

3DDramix®Often imitated,never equalledDramix ® 3D is the new name forthe existing range of Dramix ®steel fibres, which throughout theyears has become the referencein steel fibre reinforcement.Combining high performance,durability and ease-of-use, 3Dprovides you with a time-savingand cost-efficient alternative totraditional concrete reinforcementsolutions.Over the years, the 3D serieshas become the referencein steel fibre reinforcement,providing high performanceand cost efficiency for mostcommon applications.3DDramix®> Standard tensile strength> Original anchorage11n

10 new applications with steel fibresBekaert has dramaticallyexpanded its range ofhigh-performance Dramix ®steel fibres. We can nowoffer a specific fibre type forany concrete reinforcementapplication, from commonapplications such as floorsand foundations to the mostdemanding structures,including rafts and piledsupported floors.Buildings and civil engineering works5DDramix®4DDramix® Dramix ®3DDramix®Structural rafts ULS nEWCivil engineering structures nEWBridges nEWStructural rafts SLS nEWSlab tracksSecondary reinforcementConcrete roads nEWUnderwater concreteFlooringClad racks nEWPile supported floor nEWStructural floors nEWHeavy duty pavementsCombi slab nEWSeamless floors nEWJointless floorsJointed floorsHard standingsBonded overlaysChallenge us!Has your project not been mentioned? We know how it can be done better with Dramix ® .Ask your Dramix ® specialist for more information.15n

Smarter fibres for better concreteIf one fibre can hold up to 100 kilos …… imagine what 180,000 fibres per m 3 can do!Precisely engineered for strength and ductilityFor concrete to be durable, it needs to be both strong and ductile.This is exactly what Bekaert aims for with its new Dramix ® series. Bycarefully balancing wire properties – shape, strength, andductility – and combining it with stronger anchorage, the new 5D and4D series reach previously unseen levels in concrete performance.All Dramix ® series are available in a wide range of l/d ratios.This enables you to further optimize Dramix ® steel fibres for use inyour specific application, to create different types of concrete quality,and to comply with the most demanding durability specifications.The 5D fibre has the capacity tohold up to 100 kilos, thanks to asmart combination of improvedanchorage and preciselyengineered wire qualities.5DDramix®4DDramix® Dramix ®3DDramix®Anchorage StrengthTensile StrengthWire Ductility100 kgl/d RatioSteel Fibre Concrete StrengthUnique combinations of wire properties and fibre shapes create newperformance levels in concrete reinforcement. Due to their specificcharacteristics and high performance levels, the 4D and 5D series areonly available in glued form and with the highest l/d ratios.17n

Designed for durabilityAnchorage strengthThe hooked ends of Dramix ® 3Densure the desired fibre pull-out.This is the mechanism whichactually generates the renownedconcrete ductility and post-crackstrength.The improved anchorage ofDramix ® 4D utilizes the sameprinciple but translates it togreater steel strengths.Dramix ® 5D, in contrast, isshaped to form the perfectanchor; the pull-out mechanismis replaced by fibre elongation.Wire strengthThe tensile strength of a steelfibre has to increase in parallelwith the strength of its anchorage.Only in this way can the fibreresist the forces acting upon it.Otherwise it would snap, causingthe concrete to become brittle.On the other hand, a strongerwire cannot be fully utilized withan ordinary anchor design.Therefore the tensile strength of afibre has to be perfectly alignedwith its anchorage system andits diameter. Dramix ® 3D, 4D,and 5D are each designed tocapitalize on the wire strengthto the maximum degree.Wire ductilityWire ductility and concreteductility are two different aspects.Dramix ® 3D and 4D createconcrete ductility by the slowdeformation of the hook duringthe pull-out process, and not bythe ductility of the wire itself.This is different for theDramix ® 5D. Due to the “perfectanchor” design, the fibre cannotbe pulled out and does not movein the concrete. Instead the wireis elongated, providing theductility on the same principleas classic reinforcement steel.This is only possible with asuperior and exceptional qualityof ductile steel wire.5DDramix®Tensile curves 3D-4D-5D wire qualities25005DDramix®20004DDramix® Dramix ®Stress (N/mm 2 )150010004DDramix® Dramix ®3DDramix®5003DDramix®00,00 1,00 2,00 3,00 4,00 5,00 6,00 7,00 8,00Strain (%)The tensile strength of the 5D, 4D, and 3D series offers differentperformance levels for different applications. The 5D series combinesextreme tensile strength with a very specific elongation capacity,providing previously unseen levels of ductility.18n

Pull-Out Test of Dramix ® 3D, 4D and 5DPull-Out tension [N/mm²]250020001500100050000,000,50Steel fibre concrete strengthThe ductility and post-crackstrength of steel fibre concreteare determined by manydifferent aspects, includingconcrete composition, fibrelength and aspect l/d ratio.A major driver of performance isalso a balanced combination ofanchorage design, wire strength,and wire ductility.All Dramix ® steel fibres areengineered to provide optimalperformance for differentapplications—3D for commonusage, 4D for durable andliquid-tight surfaces, and 5D forthe most demanding structuralapplications. The latter achievesperformance levels which untilnow could only be provided bytraditional reinforcement.ultra high tensile 5Dhigh tensile 4Dnormal tensile 3D1,00 1,50 2,00 2,50Displacement [mm]5DDramix®3DDramix®4DDramix® Dramix®4DDramix®The pull-out test clearly illustrates the different workings of the three Dramix® fibre types. The hook in the 3D and 4Dseries slowly deforms during the pull-out process, while the 5D hook stays firmly rooted, but the wire is elongated tocreate ductility in the concrete.Fr/Fl (%)140%120%100%80%60%40%20%0%0,003,003,50Steel fibre concrete strength 3D-4D-5D1,002,00Displacement [mm]3,004,00The different Dramix ® series have been engineered to offer optimalconcrete strength for different applications. The performance level of the5D series was only thought possible with traditional reinforcementmethods.5DDramix®3DDramix®Dramix ®19n

Work smarterTime is of the essence onmodern construction sites.Dramix ® represents a newway of doing things — aconcrete reinforcementsystem that is easy tohandle, hassle-free, andsafe. Say goodbye totraditional reinforcing steel!FASTStop wasting time.Using Dramix ® saves you bothtime and money. Traditionalreinforcement techniques arevery labour-intensive, since theyrequire the placement of meshand/or rebar. Now this is nolonger necessary. Simply addDramix ® to the concrete mix andit is immediately ready to pour.SAFEAvoid accidents.Using Dramix ® enhances thesafety on your construction site.Reinforcement mesh and rebarnot only hampers other work onyour site, they are very often thecause of accidents and severedelays.Three simple steps1 Add/MIX: simply add Dramix ® to the fresh mixed concrete. Dosage depends on your application.2 Pour: no need to place mesh or rebar first—the Dramix®-reinforced concrete can be poured immediately.3 FINISH: the Dramix ® fibres blend perfectly with the concrete, creating a perfect finish.21n

1970: hooked end fibreBekaert introduces the hooked end to improve the anchorage of steel fibres. This is an importantstep towards higher durability, better crack control, and cost-efficiency of steel fibre reinforcement.1974: glued steel fibresBekaert introduces glued steel fibres, which avoid fibre balling and ensure that the fibres areevenly spread throughout the concrete.1995: anchorage improvementBekaert considerably improves the anchorage of its steel fibres by flatteningthe hook-shaped ends.2001: dosing systemBekaert files a patent application for a new method of dosing steel fibres in a mixing silo,enabling the fully automated dosing of a pour with the precise, well-defined quantity of steelfibres.2004: environmental friendly coatingBekaert introduces an environmental friendly zinc coating on its Dramix ® products.5DDramix®2012: endless possibilities4DDramix® Dramix ®Bekaert introduces the 5D and 4D series of Dramix ® . Their unique shape andperformance open up a new world of possibilities for design and construction.

Proven technologySince its first use in the early 70s, Dramix ® has been successfully applied in numerous projectsall over the world. Over the years, Dramix ® has proven itself as an extremely durable reinforcementsolution. Bekaert has built up considerable know-how in steel fibre reinforcement andhas invested heavily in the continuous development of one of its most important buildingproducts.40 years of pioneeringBekaert has been a true pioneerwhen it comes to steel fibrereinforcement. Bekaert was thefirst company to recognize theenormous potential that this newtechnology brings to the buildingworld and took a license tocommercialize the steel fibres asfar back as 1970. We also set upa worldwide production platformwith multiple dedicated plants forthe manufacture of Dramix ® steelfibres. Since 2010, all Dramix ®plants have been ISO 14001certified.40 years of innovatingBekaert was not satisfied withjust being a pioneer andcommitted to developing steelfibres for concrete reinforcementeven further, in order to fullyrealize their vast potential.Bekaert has continuouslyinvested in research anddevelopment, and worked onall aspects of the fibres, includingshapes, l/d ratios, coatings,usage, dosing equipment, andapplications. In many cases,Bekaert worked in closecooperation with academicinstitutions and clients.40 years of testingSince its first introduction,Dramix ® steel fibre reinforcementhas become a proven technology.It has been extensively tested byengineers all over the world andresearched by universities. It hasbeen successfully applied in awide array of buildings andconstruction projects. It has beenapproved by internationalregulators. In 2007, Dramix ®became the first steel fibre toobtain CE marking Class 1 forstructural use.5D concept proof in large scale testslab loaded in centre,base plate 120mm x 120mmsteel fiberconcrete slab3 m x 3 m15 cm thickelastic support, e.g. EPS or XPS to achievek ≈ 0,05 N/mm³(short term k-value if EPSor XPS is used)The day after testing to failure,most bending cracks wereclosed again, proving theconcept of the 5D wire.Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen SchnellTechnische UniversitätKaiserslautern“During the tests in our laboratory,I was astonished aboutthe strength of the Dramix ® 5Dfibre. In comparison withconventional steel fibers it hasan impressive performance.This fibre certainly opens upa lot of possibilities for newapplications with steel fibrereinforced concrete.”23n

Make it happen!Dramix ® has enabled building professionals all over the worldto overcome major technical, structural, and engineeringchallenges. The result has been some of the mostambitious construction projects the world has ever seen.CCTV TowerDesigned by architects RemKoolhaas and Ole Scheeren, theCCTV Tower has become one ofthe iconic landmarks of Beijing. Thetower serves as the headquartersfor China Central Television CCTV).It was officially opened 1 January2008 – in time for the SummerOlympics of that year. Constructionof the building presentedeveryone involved with majorstructural challenges. It was notjust the radical shape and theconsiderable height of the tower,but also its location in an activeseismic zone. During construction,steel fibre reinforced concretewas pumped from ground levelto a height of 240 metres.Dramix ® steel fibres were used incombination with rebar and selfcompactingconcrete. Togetherthis created optimal tensilestrength, eliminated cracks, andguaranteed maximum safety.Gardens by the BayLocated in the heart of the city, Gardens by the Bay will transformSingapore from a “garden city” to a “city in a garden”. Spanning 101hectares, it consists of three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East,and Bay Central. The largest of the three, Bay South, will be opened tothe public in 2012. Dramix ® was an essential ingredient to guarantee thedurability of the indoor floors.Ski slope SwitzerlandEvery year, thousands of wintersports enthusiasts enjoy thisspectacular new ski slope inEinsiedeln, Switzerland. Dramix ®was used to create the perfect,liquid-tight slope.25n

Get inspired!Dramix ® has inspired architects to invent new ways ofexpressing themselves with concrete and realize someof their most creative and visionary works – withoutcompromising safety, cost-efficiency, or durability.Maison de l’écritureThe Maison de l’écriture inMontricher, Switzerland provideswriters with a temporaryresidence and all the facilitiesthey need to concentrate on theirwork. The idyllic environmentoffers a beautiful view over bothLake Geneva and the Alps. Butthe building itself, with itsopenwork roof in white concrete,is also a marvel to look at.Dramix ® steel fibres played anessential role in the realization ofthis ambitious construction.Oceanographic ParkSituated in Valencia, Spain. L’Oceanogràfic is the largest marine park inEurope at 111,000 m 2 , 42 million litres of water, and more than 45,000animals.The spectacular entrance to the park is characterized by its thin shellstructure and its unique parabolic curvature. To realize this remarkabledesign in a precise, safe, and durable way, Dramix ® steel fibres wereused in combination with a single mesh.27n

Reinforcing your knowledgeAlways at your serviceWherever you are, a Bekaert team is always at your service. Whatever your problem or project involving Dramix ® ,do not hesitate to contact us. We are only a phone call or a click away. And we love a challenge.We are a global organization, made up of local people. Bekaert has local support teams all over the world.They can help you quickly—and in your own language.Bekaert supplies all of the support you need for your project. We help you determine the most suitable fibretypes, calculate optimal dosages, select the right concrete quality, advise on the best usage, et cetera.On your construction site. When needed, our teams visit your site to verify specific requirements.We even train your local production and maintenance staff.>>>Join our clubThe Dramix ® Club is an interactive knowledge platform for Dramix ® users.It provides you with reliable, first-hand information on the usage of ourproducts and inspires you to take your projects to the next level.Get first-hand informationCheck our extensive document database, including a wealth of informationon all Dramix ® products, their applications, and steel fibre technology ingeneral. Available 24/7, always up-to-date, and absolutely free.Get the most out of Dramix ®Make your own calculations for steel fibre concrete projects. Design officesget free access to calculation tools and design examples. Our online toolsenable you to determine fibre type and dosage for your application.Get inspiration from around the worldGo to our reference database and walk through our many steel fibreprojects around the world. We provide detailed information on everyreference project.Register now !http://dramixclub.bekaert.com>Get in touch with other Dramix ® fansLearn from professionals around the world in our Speaker’s Corner.Browse through the many testimonials—both text and video—to learnhow they use Dramix ® .29n

Reinforcing your worldBekaert Building Products ispart of the worldwide BekaertGroup. We provide buildingprofessionals around theworld with innovative, highperformance,and durablereinforcement systems. Overthe years, we have built up asolid reputation in the constructionand civil engineeringworld with our solutionsfor masonry, plastering,asphalt, and concrete.That should come as nosurprise, since our solutionsfit the needs of the modernbuilding world in whichspeed, cost-efficiency, safety,and sustainability are crucial.Always close to youBekaert Building Products hasproduction plants and sales officesall over the world. This means youcan always count on fast delivery,extensive support, and professionaladvice. Anytime, anywhere.Sales OfficeSales Office & PlantBekaert Building ProductsDramix ®Mesh Track ®Murfor ®Stucanet ®31n

18/06/21012Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) is a global technological and market leaderin advanced solutions based on metal transformation and coatings,and the world’s largest independent manufacturer of drawn steel wireproducts.Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company withheadquarters in Belgium, employing 28 000 people worldwide.Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainableprofitable growth in all its activities and generated € 4.6 billion combinedsales in 2011.All mentioned trademarks are registered trademarks owned by NV Bekaert SA© 2012 BekaertNV Bekaert SABekaertstraat 28550 ZwevegemBelgiumT+ 32 56 76 61 10F +32 56 76 79 47infobuilding@bekaert.comhttp://dramix.bekaert.comDesign by Vandekerckhove & Devos NV - 52.03.0532n