Using fibers for civil engineering
Concrete is an integral part of towns and cities, and is widely used for infrastructure and public spaces, thanks to its characteristics as a resistant, long-lasting and easy-to-maintain material. Fiber reinforcements are also used in a variety of applications, notably in shotcrete (wet or dry) and in prefabricated elements for civil engineering works, such as voussoirs and similar structures. Shotcrete can be used to create more complex shapes (domes, shells, etc.) and is used for temporary or permanent support of underground structures, wall reinforcement, repairs and reinforcement of structures, tunnel lining, nail walls, etc.
Voussoirs and shotcrete
For applications such as voussoirs, Michelin AraNea Composite fiber-reinforced concrete provides a smooth, bubble-free surface finish, since the mix does not off-gas.
Our fibers are also suitable for shotcrete applications, with low fiber loss during spraying. In addition, they have the advantage of being non-magnetic, making them particularly useful in environments sensitive to magnetic fields.
Replacing steel reinforcement with Michelin AraNea Composite fibers means considerable savings in raw materials, notably by reducing the thickness of the embedding concrete.