New Orientation Device for SFRC Segments

When manufacturing components with SFRC, the concrete-fiber mixture is usually poured into a mold. In the resulting component the fibers have an essentially random fiber orientation. The challenge in designing segments using SFRC consists of transferring the tensile splitting stresses that occur predominantly at the joints. A segment with non-oriented fibers cannot guarantee the necessary stability.

The present invention is a fiber orientation unit that allows for an improved at least partial orientation of fibers in a preferential fiber direction, as well as easy movement of the orientation unit through a fiber-concrete mixture. The technology introduces strategically positioned grid-like alignment devices that are drawn through the concrete during the compaction phase of segment production. The cross-section can be divided into zones with predictable fiber alignment, allowing an accurate prediction of the fiber alignment in the critical areas of the device.