Good Design Australia 2010

Housing and Building

Enviromesh

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Infinity Design Development

Ozsafe Industries

Designed in

Australia

Description

Enviromesh is a new generation reinforcing technology for concrete construction, it is a simple and light weight building product that improves current concrete reinforcing practice. The Enviromesh is comprised of a recyclable polymer and glass fibre construction material. It is corrosion resistant and significantly improves the longevity of civil, industrial and residential structures with clear advantages in regards to environmental impact. The Enviromesh is factory preassembled, lightweight for ease of transport, saves onsite labour costs, reduces workplace health and safety issues associated with handling and fixing of steel mesh products and is a cost competitive solution.

Key Features
and/or Benefits

Lightweight and Strong Steel Alternative

Current concrete reinforcing practice has remained relatively unchanged since its invention in 1849 by Joseph Monier. Steel reinforcing mesh has been the standard concrete reinforcing solution largely because there have been no suitable alternatives. Enviromesh provides the same benefits as steel reinforcing but removes some of the negative aspects associated with the use steel.

Enviromesh is far lighter than steel but is of comparable strength. It can be substituted for steel in most applications and the benefits of adopting Enviromesh over regular steel are wide and far reaching.

Labour Reductions and Improved OH&S; standards

The installation of steel reinforcing mesh involves the manipulation of the heavy mesh and the onsite application of plastic chairs to centre the mesh in the slab. The manipulation and laying of current steel reinforcing often requires labour of two people. The plastic chairs can be difficult to assemble and problematic once installed as they are not securely attached to the mesh and can be easily toppled.

The Enviromesh comes pre-assembled with the correct height chairs and the grid can be carried and maneuvered by one person. This equates to up to 50% reduction in labour when installing Enviromesh.

Longer Lasting Buildings and Structures

One of major disadvantages when using steel to reinforce concrete structures is that it has a predisposition to rust over time, particularly in corrosive or coastal environments. This is commonly called concrete cancer and is one of the main factors that reduce the life of a building or structure.

The Enviromesh is manufactured from inert substances that will not degrade over time and will maintain the same level of structural integrity throughout its life. This means builders and specifiers can be confident when using Enviromesh in even the harshest environments.

Code Compliant and seamless integration into current practices

The Enviromesh complies with all relevant current building codes.

The manner in which builders use the Enviromesh is almost identical to current building practice when using steel reinforcing mesh. The only differences are actually improvements such as the integration of the chairs to the mesh assembly, which means builders are required to do less work during installation. There should be no barriers to full acceptance of the Enviromesh as a highly advantageous alternative to steel reinforcing mesh.

Cost Competitive with Steel

When the above points are considered it is clear that the Enviromesh is a smart choice for all future building projects. The Enviromesh system is also cost competitive with regular steel reinforcing mesh.

When Enviromesh is considered wholistically; in regards to labour reductions, OH&S; requirements, material longevity and shipping and handling to site it is clear that the benefits provided by the product go further than just the ‘bottom line’, but when the purchase price is competitive with steel the choice becomes simple.