Halfen - Kwikastrip
Introduction
The concept of reinforcement continuity strip has been in widespread use throughout Europe for over 20 years,
and repeatedly demonstrates itself to be a simple, time-saving and cost-effective method of maintaining
reinforcement continuity across construction joints in concrete.
The system comprises special pre-bent reinforcement housed in a purpose-designed carrier casing
- all of which is fabricated off-site in a factory controlled environment.
On site, the entire unit is cast into the front face of the wall. After the formwork is struck,
the lid is removed to reveal the connection legs (or starter bars) laying inside the casing. These legs are
bent out by the contractor, ready for lapping the main reinforcement of the consequent pour.
The casing remains embedded in the wall, providing a rebate into which the concrete of the
adjoining member is poured, and eliminates the need for traditional preparation (i.e. scabbling) at
the joint.
Applications
Quite simply, any construction joint in concrete has the potential to be formed by this method. Normal applications include:
- walls
- floor slabs
- staircase landings
- stair flights
- brick support nibs
- corbels
- pile caps
- underpinning
- gutters & chambers
- balconies
Benefits
- Simplifies formwork design - bypass those construction joints!
- Accelerates pour schedules - suits todays fast track build methods
- Easy to use - an answer to skills shortages of chippies & steel fixers
- No formwork damage or wastage - no drilled holes in shutters / no wasted stop ends
- Enables systems formwork to be used - e.g. steel forms / climbing & slip forms
- Starter bars remain protected and clean - they are inside the casing until needed!
- No projecting bars - better working access in confined areas and improved site safety
- Improved shear connection - provides additional formed joint rebate