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How can FORTA work for Architects?

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Fiber-Reinforced Concrete for Architectural Applications

Fiber-reinforced concrete incorporates synthetic fibers throughout the concrete matrix, creating three-dimensional reinforcement that works across the entire slab or pavement. Unlike traditional steel reinforcement, which provides localized strength, fibers enhance crack control and post-crack behavior at the material level.

Concrete fiber reinforcement is influenced by fiber length, tensile strength, elastic modulus, and configuration, including monofilament, fibrillated, and macro synthetic designs. These characteristics determine how fibers interact with the concrete once cracking initiates. When properly specified, fiber-reinforced concrete can reduce cracks caused by shrinkage, temperature movement, and service loading, resulting in more durable and predictable performance.

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Benefits Beyond Structural Performance

Architectural concrete applications often demand clean finishes, controlled joint layouts, and long-term surface integrity. Fiber reinforcement supports these requirements by limiting crack width and improving toughness without introducing the corrosion risks associated with steel.

For architects designing plazas, parking areas, walkways, and site pavements, fiber-reinforced systems help maintain visual quality while reducing future repair needs. These advantages make fiber reinforcement an effective component of architectural concrete solutions where appearance and durability must coexist.

FORTA fiber systems reinforce slab-on-the-ground applications, pavement, slab-on-metal-deck applications, pervious concrete, shotcrete, and precast structures. This versatility allows architects to apply a uniform reinforcement strategy across multiple building and site elements.

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Fiber Solutions for Integrated Site Design

FORTA offers three main fibers for architectural projects: 

  • Micro monofilament: Used in conjunction with steel, this fiber reduces plastic shrinkage cracking.
  • Micro fibrillated: This fiber reduces cracking related to temperature and plastic shrinkage. 
  • Macro synthetic fibers: This fiber adds toughness and helps reduce cracking related to temperature, hardened concrete shrinkage, and plastic shrinkage.

Continuing Education Credits

Architects can earn American Institute of Architects continuing education credits through FORTA’s professional learning program focused on fiber-reinforced concrete. This introductory session explores how synthetic fibers interact with concrete and how their physical properties influence real-world performance.

Participants learn to evaluate key fiber attributes and apply a structured comparison method to assess different fiber categories and product options. The course also explains the distinction between fibers used primarily for temperature and crack control and those designed to enhance structural behavior, helping architects match reinforcement strategies to specific project conditions.

FORTA is recognized by the American Institute of Architects as an approved provider within the Continuing Education System. Upon completion of the “Fiber Reinforced Concrete” course, eligible AIA members may receive C.E.S. credits while gaining practical knowledge to support informed specification decisions. 

Get Started With Pavement Solutions for Architects 

Contact FORTA to request design assistance or reinforcement guidance and move forward with confidence.

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Award Winning Fibers

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1ST PLACE – ASCC 2016 AWARDS

In 2016, the American Society of Concrete Contractors awarded the “Stealth” project 1st Place in Concrete Artistry / Under 5000 SF. FORTA-FERRO®‘s use in the “Stealth” project was beneficial due to the angular slopes and overall complication of the design. FORTA-FERRO macro synthetic fiber was used to ensure that the integrity and strength of the concrete would not be compromised.
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1ST PLACE – INNOVATIVE PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Fiber Reinforced Concrete Association (FRCA) awarded the FORTA 1st Place in Synthetic Fiber Category for the 2016 Innovative Project of the Year Awards for FORTA-FERRO‘s use in the Murphy Tractor & Equipment Company pavement project in Zelienople, PA. The project’s concrete pavement has achieved continued success for its ability to withstand daily heavy equipment traffic while remaining extremely durable.
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1ST PLACE – ASCC 2016 AWARDS

The General Contractors Association of Hawaii awarded the Kaumalapau Harbor Core-loc® precast breakwater system project on the Island of Lanai, Hawaii, the 2008 Build Hawaii Award Grand Award of Excellence. This Core-loc project, which utilized FORTA-FERRO in the mix design, is successful for its continued durability and strength while protecting the harbor from the Pacific ocean’s waves.
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Earn AIA Credits

Earn AIA credits for Part 1 of our “Fiber Reinforced Concrete” Series

  • Understand the four most important fiber characteristics and how they affect
    performance in concrete.
  • Use a 4-C’s fiber formula to objectively compare fiber types and brands.
  • Understand the two basic performance levels of synthetic fibers: temperature/crack control reinforcement and structural property enhancing reinforcement.
  • Determine appropriate real-world applications for both levels of synthetic fiber reinforcement.

FORTA, the first developer and producer of synthetic fiber reinforcement for concrete, is accepted by the American Institute of Architects as a registered provider of Continuing Education System credits. AIA members can obtain C.E.S. credits for the FORTA program “Fiber Reinforced Concrete.

Get Started

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Which Fiber Should I Use?

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MICRO MONOFILAMENT

  • Reduce plastic shrinkage cracking
  • Used in conjunction with steel
  • Fine monofilament fiber
  • Polypropylene or nylon
  • 1.0 lb./cubic yard
  • 1/2″ and 3/4″ lengths
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MICRO FIBRILLATED

  • Reduce plastic shrinkage cracking and temperature-related cracking
  • Some light steel replacement
  • Fibrillated-net fiber
  • Polypropylene
  • 1.5 to 3.0 lbs./cubic yard
  • 3/4″ and 1-1/2″ lengths
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MACRO SYNTHETIC FIBERS

  • Reduce plastic and hardened concrete shrinkage & temperature-related cracking
  • Add toughness and increase post-crack behavior
  • Higher level of steel replacement
  • Heavy-duty macrofilament and fibrillated blend
  • Polypropylene/co-polymer blend
  • 3.0 to 7.5 lbs./cubic yard or higher
  • 1-1/2″ and 2-1/4″ lengths
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We Offer a Full Range of Services!

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experts on staff

Ready To Answer Questions & Aid In Technical Suport