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Stronger, more flexible reinforcement with superior bonding for lasting structural stability
Bar Flex is a specialised helical-shaped reinforcement for masonry capable of improving its structural behaviour while keeping the natural aesthetics of the masonry intact.
Being cold rolled from round stainless steel wire and subsequently tensioned through a free-twisting process, such a reinforcement offers high durability and superior mechanical properties. The helical shape offers additional mechanical interlock, ensuring enhanced composite action and thus allowing the masonry to exploit the full structural potential of Bar Flex.
Compared to regular steel bars, Bar Flex is able to develop greater strength under tension, undergoing smooth transition between elastic stage and yielding.
Bar Flex provides a desirable balance between flexibility, strength, and bond, enabling reinforced masonry to reach larger deformability levels while maintaining its integrity.
Having superior tensile strength and flexibility, Bar Flex is the best choice for reinforcing existing masonry structures and new builds.
The performance of Bar Flex bonded into masonry walls has been extensively tested since it was introduced to the market. The system conforms to BS EN 845-1: 2013 with a pullout capacity no less than 7000N. The mechanical properties of the bars are shown in the performance table below.
| Bar Flex | Tensile (kN) | Shear (kN) | Cross Sectional Area (mm²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mm | 9.75 | 8.1 | > 8.2 |
| 8 mm | 11.67 | 9.2 | > 11.2 |
| 10 mm | 14.51 | 10.5 | > 14.2 |
Testing in replicated seismic environments has proven to increase the ductility of crucial structural members as well as substantially increase out-of-plane capacity and deformability of the walls. As such, Bar Flex can be alos used in seismic prone regions allowing at-risk structures to be reinforced in advance of seismic activity in order to save lives in the event of earthquakes.
Bar Flex is available in four different diameters of 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm for use in different applications. Lengths are available up to 10 metres long. The uses for Bar Flex are both wide and varied and it can be utilised in new build and for many specialised refurbishment requirements.
In general terms, the 6 mm Bar Flex is used for the reinforcing of existing masonry structures. By combining the Bar Flex with Bond Flex XL cementitious grout, beams that can span over openings, as a lintel, or over soft areas of ground when footings have failed, can be installed into existing masonry with very little disturbance. Crack stitching can be achieved by using 1 m lengths of Bar Flex.
The 8 mm Bar Flex is used for new build masonry reinforcing. The larger dimensions gives it a far better bond into a standard building mortar than the alternative round section wire. The increase in the tensile strength during the manufacturing process also requires less overall material to be used.
For heavy duty applications, the 10 mm Bar Flex is in a class of its own. Very strong in tensile and shear, when combined with the bonding capabilities makes this a truly versatile, high strength product.
