I'm building a small, off grid ICF home in north TX. I'm currently designing my foundation. My main question at this point... has anyone used this Helix product instead of traditional rebar? Their claims are pretty bold. I can't find much reading that isn't a sales pitch about it, everything I google takes me to their same pitch. I have found some threads here but they were back in 2009 The concept seems great. I'm not worried about price comparisons I will figure that later. I am curious if this stuff is as good as it sounds from real people that have used it or have first hand knowledge of it. And is it a worthy option vs rebar. One of the main goals of my build is longevity. It is about 800 sq ft and will be on concrete piers. I will most likely start a more detailed thread about the whole foundation design but at this point what are your thoughts on Helix for the foundation and footings and or for the piers? Thanks and I've already found so much helpful info here.

I found one thread on here but it was from 2009 can't find much more. I am not trying to avoid labor or costs I am more interested in the strength claims. I know I still need rebar for connection points.

Oh and I'm in the boonies no codes to adhere to out here it but it seems it is acceptable now but I'm not sure

I have not used it and probably never will for header lintels etc.
According to my p.eng. it might increase tensile strength, so it might be okay to replace the grid bar in an ICF wall but does not meet code for actual headers and other structural components.

Posted By FBBP on 02 Dec 2013 03:46 PM
I have not used it and probably never will for header lintels etc.
According to my p.eng. it might increase tensile strength, so it might be okay to replace the grid bar in an ICF wall but does not meet code for actual headers and other structural components.

The more I read the more I am leaning towards traditional rebar. If anything helix seems like something new and I'm not a guinea pig kinda person. I like tried and true. And if it's not up to code even if i don't have a code to meet that scares me.

You'd need an engineer to tell you how to best use the helix and even then, it's very difficult to do away with all the bar. It's just easier to do the bar, particularly on a small build like that.

Helix is a good product, but it is a relatively new product. Testing has shown that it can certainly replace nominal rebar schedules and the codes are slowly changing to allow helix to be used. You can certainly save labor and associated cost using helix in this manner. However, rebar is still required for the lintels, etc. We have played with helix for boosting the heat capacity of thermal mass and the heat transfer coefficient of concrete hydronic radiant emitters, but we found better products that purpose which pose less risk of damaging pex.  There are not currently many structural engineers that have experience designing with helix. There also isn't much data on how well helix will hold up long-term (e.g., will it corrode and eventually fail), although in theory it should be fine. You might want to Google "Pensmore Mansion", a huge residence designed to be bullet-proof, bomb-proof and tornado-proof.

I'm a self builder so I don't want to get an engineer just so I can use this stuff. I am going to move on designing with rebar.

I will google that mansion now thanks for the info.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=helix+replace+rebar&qs=n&form=QBLH&pq=helix+replace+rebar&sc=0-14&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=423d5bb7b8b2480fb0f553466dd303e0

http://bbs.monolithic.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3434 Second last post.

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/4/aft/60095/afv/topic/Default.aspx Last post

http://www.iapmoes.org/Documents/ER_0279.pdf
5.9 Structural reinforcement shall be provided in addition to Helix Micro-rebar, in accordance with the approved engineering design of a registered design professional and the IBC or IRC.
5.10 Helix Micro Rebar shall not be used to replace supplemental rebar placed around openings and tied to lifting points.

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/4/aft/79020/afv/topic/Default.aspx

http://www.icc-es.org/reports/pdf_files//ESR-3441.pdf For shrink and temperature control only. In plain concrete only i.e. unreinforced concrete.

I have done research on it and as a flatwork contractor who installs rebar in all slabs we pour, I have found it is most effective for us in spacing less that 36" on center. We use 1/2" rebar. The consistent mix of helix takes the human error out of rebar placement and ensures proper structural strength. So if strength is what you are looking for, you can rely on the consistency of this product in your mix design. The right amount of rebar in the wrong place inside the forms cancels out structural strength. www.jansenconcrete.com

Right, if you know how to properly engineer and use helix, it will save a lot of rebar and associated labor time cost in slabs and ICF. However, rebar is still required for lintels unless you master the art of pouring different densities of helix. There is still some concern about how long helix will retain its strength, especially if the structure is subject to a corrosive environment (e.g., moisture and salt). So far this concern has not been realized as far as we know, but helix is still a relatively new product.

Hey there,

I've been looking into using Helix too (hence why I found this discussion!) during an ICF build in Massachusetts. What I'd discovered is that Helix now has IBC, IRC and ACI 318 Accreditation to be used as a traditional rebar replacement in certain situations - get the details here: http://www.core-construction-products.com/pdfs/ACI-318-IBC-IRC-Evaluation-report-Helix-Steel-Micro-Rebar-Alternative-to-Steel-Rebar-Concrete-reinforcement-Vertical-Applications.pdf

I hope that helps others decide as it's looking like it will save me a fair amount of time and money on our build.