Project: Grain bins, Haubstadt, IN
Customer: Schmitt Farm
Contractor: Kiesel Enterprises, Princeton, IN
Finisher:
Project obstacles and solutions: Grain bins are susceptible to the expansion and contracting of building materials that go hand in hand with heat and cold extremes. Traditionally, grain bin foundations are poured with 6 gauge welded wire fabric to control thermal cracking. Kiesel Enterprises is a Brock Grain Bin builder and distributor. They were looking for a way to control their costs by eliminating welded wire reinforcement, but still build a concrete foundation that was evenly reinforced and would control cracking due to temperature changes.

The Schmitt Farm in Haubstadt, IN required three bins to be built. Two of the bins had a 48’ diameter and the third had a 30’ diameter. IMI supplied 126 yards of imix XS steel fiber reinforced concrete for the three foundations. Since the fiber is evenly mixed into the concrete batch, it provides consistent reinforcement throughout the foundation. IMI engineered the ratio of imix XS steel fibers-to-concrete to meet the customer's specifications. Kiesel was able to save time and money since they did not have to purchase, transport, or place and fit the wire fabric.