Stiffer standards

StiFlex is a modular steel stiffener system, designed to meet and even surpass requirements expected of conventional reinforced concrete stiffeners in masonry wall construction.

How does StiFlex benefit wall construction?
Users of StiFlex can expect to save substantial masonry wall construction time compared to slower conventional methods. Typically, installing a conventional stiffener takes between 4–5 days. A StiFlex stiffener, however, only requires about 5 minutes to install. Depending on wall sizes, approximately 60 percent savings in labour time (expressed in man-hours) on average can be expected for a typical masonry wall construction requiring stiffeners.

Produced under stringent factory controlled conditions, one can expect higher speed, more accurate, quality and consistent fabrication, which relieves the contractor’s workload in managing stiffener construction. Thus productivity on site can be increased as all that is required is for its drawing plans to be forwarded to the StiFlex supplier to mark stiffener positions and StiFlex type/size proposed together with a spreadsheet confirming the given location. On site StiFlex allows the installer, either the bricklayer or any general worker, to simply fasten the StiFlex connectors (adjustable up to 250mm in length of stiffener) either using powder actuated nails or gas activated nails—quite simply a quick, safe and debris-free method

StiFlex is highly flexible and suitable for any masonry wall type, whether clay bricks, concrete blocks, lightweight concrete blocks, pre-cast concrete panels and even dry-wall partitions using gypsum or calcium silicate boards.

So how Green is StiFlex? 

Without the use of rock wool infill, StiFlex stiffeners already have better thermal conductance resistance than its conventional concrete counterparts. With added rock wool infill the performance of StiFlex is further enhanced, helping to save energy required in heating/cooling the building as compared to conventional methods.

Furthermore, the use of the StiFlex system does away with timber formwork and water usually required for traditional concrete stiffeners as it is dry. Now achieving zero wastage with StiFlex is a possibility.

Last but not least, all steel are recyclable and it is simply a matter of managing the percentage of recycled steel content in its mix with fresh steel. It is the company’s policy to always get the highest percentage of recycled steel wherever and whenever available. In addition, the design of the StiFlex system specifies the use of only higher yield strength steel, thereby saving steel material and reducing weight (important for ease of installation) without compromising on its performance. High yield steel is also chosen to lightweight aluminium as the latter in itself requires six times more energy to produce.

Can StiFlex be expected to perform equal or better than conventional concrete stiffeners?

The answer is ‘Yes’, with proven results from conformance testing. StiFlex is resistant to fire (up to 4 hours), moisture and condensation, thermal conductance, and is also sound insulated. Copies of certified test result/s by accredited independent bodies can be provided upon request. The design standard for steel used is in accordance with the current BS5950 design code. Its compliance can be checked against any international design code.