The link below is an ICF basement we recently did in Vancouver, Canada.
This thing went up quick. The only thing that slowed us down was placing our steel.
Has anyone had any success with Helix reinforcement? If we can use this in our local market (Vancouver,Canada) we would really be on to something.
Video below
http://youtu.be/80ytb2ba8Bw

Is the Helix reinforcing to which you're referring the steel fiber reinforcing? I don't know the codes in Canada, but the code here doesn't allow for fiber reinforcing to be used as "primary reinforcing". What that means is that if the wall you're putting up doesn't need the reinf for strength, you can use fibers in lieu of temp and shrink reinforcing. If local officials give it the nod. Some other issues arise with fibers, but that's another discussion. Fibers have sucessfully been used by many.

Helix is a twisted strand of steel and the manufacturer claims to have all the data to prove that it performs as well as rebar at 20% less cost. It is being used in ICFs (and many other things). It's not clear what the downsides are. I expect that ICFs with Helix instead of rebar can be poured with less slump and less chance of voids or aggregate separation - so more strength.

http://www.polytorx.com/images/pdf/Helix%20Engineering%20Details%20for%20ICF.pdf

http://wilson3.com/

I'm sorry; maybe I'm slow. Are we talking about the small, twisted wires, mixed in the matrix, or is this something I've never heard of (not uncommon) like large twisted wires that end up to be about the same net size/ length as rebar? If it's the former, it's fiber reinforcing, and I stick with my original comment. If it's the latter, please send me a link (I can't find it) to educate me.
Thanks again.

The link is www.polytorx.com

Right. I'm familiar with this. It falls within the realm of reinforcement fibers. Cannot be used for the design of concrete as a replacement for primary reinforcement and meet ACI or ICC design codes. My earlier post has some discussion.

According to PolyTorx:

Helix is approved for use in concrete under the American Concrete Institute’s “Building Code
Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary (ACI 318-05)”. This document is
referenced by all building codes in the United States for concrete design.

Or from other sources (referring to ACI 318-08?):

Whereas reinforcement consisting of structural steel, steel pipe, or steel tubing was previously permitted by ACI 318, reinforcement consisting of discontinuous deformed steel fibers is now additionally permitted (section 3.5.1).

I expect that this is becoming tedious to some, so we might want to take this offline. My email address is listed.

But to clear the air, the reference is for shear only. If interested, the full quote for ACI 318-08:

3.5.1 — Reinforcement shall be deformed reinforcement,
except that plain reinforcement shall be permitted for
spirals or prestressing steel; and reinforcement
consisting of headed shear studs, structural steel,
steel pipe, or steel tubing shall be permitted as specified
in this Code. Discontinuous deformed steel fibers shall
be permitted only for resisting shear under conditions
specified in 11.4.6.1(f).

11.4.6.1 — A minimum area of shear reinforcement,
Av,min, shall be provided in all reinforced concrete
flexural members (prestressed and nonprestressed)
where Vu exceeds 0.5φVc, except in members satisfying
(f) Beams constructed of steel fiber-reinforced,
normalweight concrete with fc
′ not exceeding 6000 psi,
h not greater than 24 in., and Vu not greater than
φ2 fc bwd.

Shear, and as stated earlier, T&S; when you get someone who know how to use it.

Jerry, can you translate that into English...

Posted By robinnc on 27 Jul 2011 10:12 PM
Jerry, can you translate that into English...

My take on it is that you can't rely on fibers for tension loads, which is precisely what deformed steel rebar is primarily used for.  It appears that you may be able to replace shear reinforcement in some cases (an example is stirrups in lintels over doors and windows) with the fibers though.

Sure. At the risk of further boring y'all, my comments in parenths:

From the first part; "Reinforcement shall be deformed reinforcement," (Regular old rebar)...
"plain reinforcement" (smooth steel wire or bars)
"shall be permitted for spirals" (circular column wraps holding the rebar together)
"or prestressing steel;" (Specialized design)
"and reinforcement consisting of headed shear studs," (Specific use, usually in elevated slabs)
"structural steel," (Specific, specialized design types)
"steel pipe, or steel tubing shall be permitted" (Usually pipes filled with concrete used as columns)
"as specified in this Code."

11.4.6.1 Refers to what can be used specifically for "shear reinforcing;" that reinforcing resisting things such as punching and other such forces, and how to design for it. Prescribes how to calculate how much is required.

T&S; Temperature and Shrinkage. Concrete shrinks as it cures, and later on, as it gets sold. T&S reinforcing holds it together (sort of, but good enough for this discussion) as it shrinks.

Primary reinforcing is that reinforcing which allows columns, beams, and walls to perform as they're designed. These things can (very often) survive a certain amount of shear and T&S failure, but if there is a primary reinforcing failure, there is a major structural failure. There are ways around these restrictions, but that's where your SE comes in.

To sum it up, my original statement "Cannot be used for the design of concrete as a replacement for primary reinforcement and meet ACI or ICC design codes." is substantiated by those ACI references.

Don't get me wrong. I once began work with one of the major fiber manufacturers to do studies, presentation, and proposal to to the Code councils to allow it to be used as primary in some cases. I'm a big believer in fibers. I'm also a big believer in design codes. I'm also on the ACI 332 (Residential) and ACI 551 (Tilt-up) code committees. What can I say? I like concrete. Had it this morning for breakfast.

I think the first post inadvertently set the wrong tone for expectations with helical steel. To put it into even plainer language for those of us who are considering whether to use it in our residential builds.....It doesn't do away with reinforcing bar entirely (placing our steel), but it does improve the characteristics of the concrete such that much less bar can be used for same or better engineering results. Even if saving money on steel reinforcing was a wash with respect to materials (where cost of bar = cost of helix), contractors could save money on labor and possibly, transportation.

And, there may be certain applications, particularly residential, where entire classes of steel reinforcing might not have to be used, particularly in shear loads. That would be a plus from the contractor's cost side.

In commercial work, you can see how it would result in more contracts won when bidding vs traditional steel reinforcement.

CF Hybrid and arkie are more succinct than I. They're correct. But to expound on ICFH, there are a LOT of instances in residential basement walls where you can get by with very minimal reinforcing. Check out the ACI 332 code. Unfortunately it doesn't address above-ground walls at this time, but a simple engineer's review can take care of it.

Now if we could start using Rock Rebar, we would be making progress. At least it is lighter and stronger than steel rebar. Rock Rebar is an alternative to steel and fiberglass rebar. It may not replace all rebar but can be used for reinforcement as opposed to only T&S. Combining Rock Rebar with Helix fibers would make my day.

Thanks Jerry!

Hello: I would like to counter the comment that Helix does not work or is not allowed as primary reinforcement in walls. Helix fully complies with the IBC and IRC for engineered materials for structrual applications. We fully replace rebar in structrual walls up to #11 rebar and comply with ACI, ASTM 1609 standard for steel fiber in structrual concrete and many other standards. Please direct any requests for information regarding helix to our company, helixsteel.com. We provide the engineering for any residential or commerical structural concrete application. thanks!

Hello: I would like to counter the comment that Helix does not work or is not allowed as primary reinforcement in walls.

Maybe you could give us some examples, preferably with illustrations, that demonstrate what you are describing.