Along with concrete manufacturer Hercules Beton, Nibo Stone developed a method for prefab natural stone elements in which the elegant look of natural stone is combined with the structural strength of reinforced concrete. Under controlled conditions, natural stone is placed and anchored in a mold whereafter the concrete is poured. On the construction site, the prefab element can be placed easily. As the constructive elements are always made under the same controlled conditions, you are assured of a steady and guaranteed quality.
With this partnership, we are responding to the needs of the market to make use of prefabricated elements more and more. There is less work on the building site (and therefore less waste) and construction time is reduced.
COMPOSITION OF THE PRODUCT: Nibo Hardsteen blauwgrijs, a high-quality natural stone, is often choosen for this application. The bluestone is a sedimentary non-porous and hard type of natural stone with typical small limeballs and white veins. The fossils, which are so characteristic for Belgian Bluestone, are much less present in this bluestone. This is, because the earthlayers from which the Nibo Hardsteen blauwgrijs is extracted, are about 150 million years older than the Belgian Bluestone from the Ardennes. The technical data of Nibo Hardsteen blauwgrijs, indicate an equal and for some of the physical parameters even a increased physical resistance (= sustainability), compared tot the average value of Belgian and other bluestones. For example, Nibo Hardsteen blauwgrijs has higher values for compressive strength and for scratch resistance. It also passed very successfully for the durability tests of the KOMO-certificate. Additional technical information about this natural stone or the concrete can be provided upon request.
APPLICATIONS: Currently the Constructive Natural Stone prefab elements can be applied for door- and windowframes and lintels. Of course, other prefab products can be discussed. The frame elements for doors and windows in Constructive Natural Stone are included in the library of Autodesk Revit software, so design - and construction professionals can apply them in their Building Information Model (BIM) easily.
