Combined Reinforcement: The Smart Way to Control Cracks in Concrete
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Expert Talks - Combined Reinforcement for Crack Control

Concrete cracks. That’s not a defect, it’s a fact.


Whether you’re building an industrial floor or a structural wall, when restraint, cracking is part of the life cycle of any reinforced concrete element. But uncontrolled cracking? That’s a different story, and one that’s far more preventable than you might think.

In this article, Heri Siswanto, Dramix® Area Manager for South-East Asia, introduces combined reinforcement as a smarter solution for crack control. He explains how combining conventional mesh or rebar with steel fibers offers superior performance, longer durability, and reduced maintenance, all while lowering total project costs.

 

Let’s break it down.

Why Cracks Happen and What to Do About Them

 

Concrete is a brittle material. It shrinks, it expands, and under tension, once exceeding the strain capacity, it cracks. That’s not necessarily a problem. As long as the crack width stays within acceptable limits, the structure remains strong and serviceable.

 

This is what engineers call:
 

  • ULS: Ultimate Limit State (strength)
  • SLS: Serviceability Limit State (durability, aesthetics, usability)

Traditionally, structural designers follow guidelines to ensure crack widths stay under control. This involves calculating minimum reinforcement, usually in the form of steel mesh or rebar.

 

But there’s a problem…

 

Even when these rules are followed to the letter, excessive cracking is still common. Cracks wider than 0.3 mm can lead to corrosion, durability issues, liquid penetration, and higher maintenance costs. So, how can we do better?

Introducing Combined Reinforcement

The answer lies in combining two forms of reinforcement:

  • Conventional mesh or rebar, and
  • Dramix® steel fibers, distributed throughout the concrete.

This synergy brings the best of both worlds:

  • Steel mesh provides crack control at the surface,
  • Dramix® steel fibers enhance tensile capacity throughout the entire slab.

When used together, cracks form later, open less, and distribute more evenly.

Here’s what really happens:

  • Steel fibers absorb early-stage stresses and reduce tension on the rebars.
  • The concrete can resist higher loads and bending moments before cracking.
  • Any cracks that do occur stay tight, often as narrow as 0.3 mm or even 0.1 mm.
  • The structure lasts longer, and the need for repair or sealing is drastically reduced.

Real-World Example: Seamless Floors

One of the most impactful applications of combined reinforcement is in seamless industrial floors.

These are large concrete slabs without saw cuts or expansion joints, offering full freedom of movement and layout. But because they cover such large areas, they are also more prone to shrinkage-induced cracking.

Enter combined reinforcement.

By reinforcing a seamless floor with both Dramix® steel fibers and a top mesh, engineers can:

  • Control crack widths, ensuring performance and aesthetics
  • Eliminate joints, reducing maintenance and forklift damage
  • Increase load-bearing capacity, ideal for high racking, cold storage, or robotic systems

No saw cuts. No curled curling at joints. Just flat, durable, high-performance flooring.

Where Combined Reinforcement Excels

Combined reinforcement isn’t limited to floors. It’s increasingly used in:

  • High-traffic warehouses – to prevent joint spalling and reduce downtime
  • Cold storage and freezer rooms – where flatness and tightness are critical
  • Clad-rack foundations – where long-term stability and crack control are essential
  • Coated or epoxy floors – where cracks would compromise the coating
  • Liquid-tight applications – including chemical, food, and pharmaceutical facilities

In all these cases, crack width control is key - and that’s exactly where the Dramix® + mesh combination delivers best-in-class performance.

Added Benefits: Time and Cost Savings

 

There’s more to this story than durability and crack control.

 

Using combined reinforcement can also lead to:
 

  • Time Savings
    Steel fibers are mixed directly into the concrete, eliminating the need for time-consuming rebar installation over the entire area. This reduces labor hours and shortens the project timeline.
  • Cost Efficiency
    By enhancing the tensile performance of the concrete, steel fibers reduce the amount of conventional reinforcement needed. You can either optimize your design or reallocate budget to higher-value areas of the project.
  • Improved Safety
    Less manual handling of rebar means fewer accidents on site. Plus, floors without joints mean fewer hazards for forklifts, operators, and automated systems.
  • Long-Term Value
    Smaller cracks = less water ingress = less corrosion = longer-lasting concrete. That translates into fewer repairs, fewer shutdowns, and a significantly lower total cost of ownership.

Engineering Made Simple

 

While the technical performance of combined reinforcement is complex, the principle behind it is simple:

 

Let each type of reinforcement do what it does best - together.
 

  • Mesh offers surface-level control.
  • Fibers add distributed, isotropic strength.

And the result? A balanced, high-performance concrete system that keeps cracks in check, floors in service, and maintenance at a minimum.

Let’s Recap

 

Cracks in concrete are normal. But wide, uncontrolled ones don’t have to be.

 

Combined reinforcement using Dramix® steel fibers and conventional mesh offers a smarter, more durable way to build. It improves serviceability, increases design flexibility, and pays off in lower maintenance and lifecycle costs.

 

If you're planning a seamless floor - or any application where tight cracks matter -consider making combined reinforcement part of your strategy.

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