Tag Archive for: rebar

Physical Properties You Should Consider When Using Rebar

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Rebar plays a vital role in boosting the life span of concrete. It has been used for many decades as a strengthening agent for concrete. Rebar is manufactured from various types of alloys and grades of steel. You can buy top grade steel from the very popular steel suppliers Brisbane. The exteriors of all the steel rods include ridges. The presence of ridges allows concrete to stick to the rebar. It also prevents concrete from sliding around inside the slab. Concrete may be strong under compression but it has weak tensile power. And, rebar can effectively boost the tensile strength of a particular structure.

Given below are some properties which makes rebar a great choice for reinforcing concrete constructions:

1. Smooth Expansion:

Soon after embedding in the concrete, rebar becomes thermal coefficient which is very much similar to concrete. Concrete and rebar must expand and contract at a similar rate. It is because concrete offers weak tensile power. Spilling may take place in case there is tension between rebar and concrete due to a difference in expansion rates. You should take into consideration the expansion while implementing rebar into concrete. And, always use rebar which offers strong protective features to bring down or eliminate corrosion or rust.

2. Rusting:

In case you spot rusting on rebar, do not panic. A little amount of rust should not be a cause of worry. However, you should notice if the rust is leading to a huge amount of corrosion in a bar. If it is so, the rebar may not be usable. Rebar reinforcement should be effective and satisfactory irrespective of the rust on the external side of the bar. The rebar reinforcement should meet the laid down standards in the industry. Check the standards of reinforcing mesh Brisbane. The level of rust should also come under the specified requirements for brush testing. If you notice rust on rebar, then follow the available standards before embedding in the concrete.

3. Grounding:

Though rebar is manufactured from metal, the real electrical conductor in a foundation is concrete. And, the concrete must always be grounded. The ideal way to ground the concrete is possible only by using rebar. It is also known as Ufer Ground. The key element is that rebar remains in close contact with the earth. In the absence of close contact with the earth, rebar will not be able to ground the foundation. Make sure you check all the guidelines before using rebar for grounding the concrete slab.

4. Low Magnetic Field:

Stainless steel rebar can effectively bring down magnetism and ensures that procedures or machinery within the building receives no disruption. It has emerged ideal for hospital, toll booths with electronic pass detection, laboratories, and medical facilities with MRI machines. You can contact leading stainless reinforcing mesh Brisbane to procure stainless steel rebar.

Conclusion:

Concrete has emerged quite robust in compression but a little weak in tension. In order to compensate for this imbalance in concrete’s nature, rebar is cast into it. By casting rebar into steel, it can easily carry huge loads. The most common rebar in the industry is carbon steel. It consists of rolled shape round bars with deforming shapes. The other types of rebar may include stainless steel, composite bars manufactured from glass fiber or carbon fiber. So, get in touch to learn more about steel bar Brisbane and purchase it at competitive prices.

Concrete Rebar Reinforcement: When is it Necessary?

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Reinforcement can significantly resist the tensile stress in a particular area of concrete. In its absence, cracks may appear. The main purpose of providing reinforcement is to resist the internal tensile. It is mainly provided in compression areas to enhance the capacity of compression and ductility. The other purpose of providing concrete rebar reinforcement is to bring down the long term deflection which helps in increasing the flexural capacity of the beams. Reinforcing mesh Brisbane plays a crucial role in boosting the life of structures.

What is Rebar?

Rebar has emerged as a crucial constituent of reinforced concrete. It is generally manufactured with the help of ridged carbon steel as the ridges help in offering frictional bond to the concrete. Rebar is cast into concrete to convey tensile loads on a particular structure, as concrete may be very strong but it lacks strength in tension.

Reinforcement helps in preventing excessive cracking of structures often caused due to changes in temperature or shrinkage in the controlled structural elements.

Role of Reinforced Concrete and Its Growing Importance

The importance of reinforced concrete has been surging with every passing day as it works really well in tension or compression. We have already witnessed that concrete is a composite material which remains effective in compression but not in tension. And, the situation can be tackled by casting wet concrete around the robust steel reinforcing bars supplied by renowned steel suppliers Brisbane. As soon as the concrete gets hardened around the steel bars, the outcome is new reinforced concrete popularly known as reinforced cement concrete.

Advantages of Reinforced Cement Concrete

The main advantage of reinforced cement concrete is that it remains highly effective and solid both in tension or compression, as the concrete provides the compressive power by resisting the squeezing and steel offers tensile strength by resisting bending or stretching. The outcome is reinforced concrete uses one composite material inside the other one. Concrete becomes matrix and steel bars offer the reinforcement.

Why Steel Bars Are Preferred Over Other Materials to Reinforce Concrete?

Generally, we could have used any kind of material to reinforce concrete but here we will answer why steel bar Brisbane are given preference over other materials? We use steel bars because they have the strong power of expanding and contracting in any weather condition whether it is too hot or too cold in the similar proportion of concrete. Due to this, it will not cause any crack to concrete which surrounds it in comparison to any other material which might have cracked if it expanded or contracted.

Types of Reinforced Concrete

There are various types of reinforced concrete available in the market which may include steel fiber, glass fiber, engineered cementations composite, etc.

  • Glass fiber reinforced concrete: It has been in use for the last 25 years for concrete reinforcement apart from steel. Various structures have been using glass fiber reinforced concrete which may include bricks and ceramic tiles.
  • Steel fiber reinforced concrete: It can significantly reinforce concrete by resisting the tensile cracking. It can also easily withstand light and heavy loads.
  • Engineered Cementitious Composite: Popularly known as bendable concrete, it is claimed that it is 40 percent lighter than normal concrete. It can easily self-repair the cracks by the reaction caused by carbon dioxide and rainwater.

Conclusion:

Concrete rebar reinforcement plays a vital role in bringing down the number of cracks which may appear in concrete surfaces and mesh has emerged less expensive than rebar reinforcement. You can buy top quality steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane from leading producer who can offer you top quality products at competitive prices.

Wire Mesh Vs. Rebar – a Comparison to Understand which is Better?

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Having even the slightest knowledge about concrete can help you make the right choice when confirming the support material to be used with concrete.

A search for Steel bar Brisbane in Google will return you with all the top dealers of Rebar materials near you. If you are seeking a solid driveway poured, your contractor will ask you to choose either wire mesh and rebar for support. If you have no clue why you are asked this question and what to answer here, this blog will give you a brief summary.

What Is Wire Mesh?

Wire mesh is made up of diminished disfigured steel in its coolest form. The wire mesh is utilised to add robustness and toughness to the concrete being used. When the concrete settles down, wire mesh plays an important role in providing the required support. It also helps in keeping a check against cracks and crevices. Mesh reinforcement Brisbane promotes the maintenance of the concrete’s uprightness against fracturing throughout its lifecycle.

What Is Rebar?

Rebar, abbreviated from reinforcing bar, is also manufactured making use of steel alike Wire Mesh. These are rounded bars with seams that are usually in sizes differing by 1/8th-inch of thickness. Rebar makes use of more space in comparison to wire mesh as it is laid in larger square sections. Rebar is a significant element when it comes to providing depth and has to sustain the structural design. Rebar is also a material of high strength which prevents cracks.

Wire Mesh Vs. Rebar – Factors when Deciding which one to Choose?

Now since you understand the major differences between the two, you might be wondering which one to choose. So, if this question is continuously popping into your mind, here are a few factors that you can consider when deciding on which out of the two:

·      Cost:

Wire mesh is comparatively affordable than rebar. They come in rolls and are made using thin steel bars. The cost of rebar is dependent upon the width of the bars and will eventually cost you more for labour.

·      Support:

Considering the support constraint, rebar is undoubtedly stronger than wire mesh. Several constructors consider rebar for domestic jobs. For thicker driveways and locations that involve greater traffic, rebar is always a good option to consider.

·      Strength:

Cracking is something that both wire mesh and rebar cannot prevent. But together they can serve to be useful in bonding the concrete in place when any sort of cracks occur. The Steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane behaves in a similar pattern on the basis of contraction and expansion properties that is experienced at different temperatures. Also, it is necessary to take extensive care while laying the wire meshes so that it can serve better functionality.

Final Thoughts:

Now that you have a basic idea about the difference between rebar and wire mesh, which one are you going to choose? Steel suppliers Brisbane offers the best products from their wide range. Both wire mesh and rebar have their own advantages of being used for construction. Your needs and requirements will serve as the main factor to decide which one to use.

What Is the Difference Between Rebar and Wire Mesh?

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A project involving concrete poses two different choices for concreting – the mesh bars and the rebars. Tensile strength is one of the major considerations to choose amongst mesh bar and rebar, as it can be directly related to the cracks and crevices that can occur on the concrete structures. People usually consider using the rebar’s over mesh bars, but the usage may vary depending on various factors. The area where it is to be used also serves as a primary consideration on deciding the type of reinforcement – it may be a driveway, swimming pool, etc, different structures call for different types of reinforcement to be picked. So let us first understand what mesh bars are and rebar’s and look into the key differences between them.

Rebar – Definition

Rebar, also known as reinforcing bar, is composed of stainless steel and has rounded bars. These steel bars can withstand all types of tension forces and are basically hot rolled bars made of steel materials. They are steel bars which are used for steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane which has the capability of increasing the tensile strength. They are supporting rods and provide resistance to the concrete structures.

Wire Mesh:

Wire meshes are made of steel and come in a rolled wire mesh format which can be laid out on the concrete slabs. It consists of a series of wired open squares made of steel bars which have ridges and can be attached to the concrete. The wire meshes are added to the concrete to increase the strength and support of the structure that is being reinforced and prevents it from cracking.

Differences between steel bar Brisbane and wire mesh

There are numerous factors which can differentiate the two and can give you real reasons to choose amongst them based on their qualities and reinforcement requirements. So if you are here to decide which reinforcement method to pick, here are the differences between a mesh bar and rebar.

Price constraint

Steel Reinforcing mesh Brisbane comes at lower prices in comparison to the steel bar Brisbane. Wire mesh is thin thus make use of fewer materials in contrast to the rebar’s which are comparatively thicker. Mesh can be rolled as well and therefore also does not require much labor for the installation purposes making it cost effective. Whereas rebars require a considerable amount of labor for the installation purposes and thus the price also increases for the same.

Cracking and breaking

Talking about the cracking aspect, which may be rebar’s or reinforcing mesh Brisbane, both cannot stop cracking, but they can help in pulling back the concrete together to its place when an event of cracking occurs. They can also prevent the small cracks and crevices in the concrete slabs from enlarging further. It is advised to lay the wire meshes at the middle spot of the concrete slabs approximately two inches deep.

Difficulty in placement

Placing of the mesh bars and steel bar Brisbane is another issue that creeps up while laying the concrete. If you are planning to use mesh bars, then make sure that you put it at the centre. Centre placement will prove to be more effective, and you are using rebar’s, consider placing it on the ground before filling it with concrete.

Orientation aspect

Rebar’s are strong and thus should be set flat on the concrete or can even be placed in a vertical format. Same is the case when we talk about rebars, the difference being that rebars cannot shape the concrete.

Thickness

The usage of mesh bars and rebars also varies by the thickness of the concrete slabs. You can get to buy these reinforcing bars from steel suppliers Brisbane in all sizes according to your need and requirement. The thickness of the concrete slabs should be considered as a significant factor to decide on using wire meshes or rebar. If the slab thickness is less than one foot, consider using steel meshes and if it is more than that rebar will suit the requisites.

Rebar: Steel Reinforcement for Concrete Structures

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Rebar (short for reinforcement bar) also known as reinforcement steel are steel bars or mesh used on structures made of concrete, brick, and other types of materials to reinforce them and give them strength. Concrete has very weak tensile strength (ability to withstand load) and therefore requires reinforcement bars and meshes to enhance their strength and prevent the concrete from cracking.

The ultimate strength of a concrete structure depends on the reinforcement material used and it is very essential that you consult experts in steel reinforcement mesh Brisbane for a suggestion.

Why do I need to use Rebars?

Concrete has brittle properties and over time it tends to crack. Moreover, due to varied climate conditions, concrete tends to expand and contract and thereby causes tension, resulting in a collapsed structure. Adding rebars and steel reinforcement mesh helps the structure to absorb and distribute the tension.

What is steel reinforcement mesh? How is it different from rebars?

Steel reinforcement mesh and rebars serve the similar purpose of providing concrete with tensile strength. Steel reinforcement mesh is nothing but a wire mesh made out of individual rebars. Although they serve a similar purpose, the choice depends on the structural needs.

Which is better – rebars or steel reinforcement mesh?

Both are useful and often the choice depends on the structure itself. For example, rebars are best used vertically while steel reinforcement mesh is better suited for slabs. Also, steel reinforcement meshes have the ability to shape the concrete structure, which rebars do not have.

To best understand what type of reinforcing will suit your building, consult an expert on reinforcing steel bar Brisbane.

What are the available types of Rebars and steel reinforcing mesh in Brisbane?

Rebars come in various sizes, types, and technical specifications. The correct and suitable rebar type depends on various factors including the structure to be reinforced, the use of the structure, climate conditions and so on.

Generally, rebars can be divided into the following types:

  • Size: Based on the diameter rebars can be of 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, and 36mm.
  • Shape: Rebars generally come in three shapes/cross-sections – deformed ribbed bar, round/plain bar and deformed indented bar.
  • Ductility: Based on the ductile strength it can be of low ductility, normal ductility or seismic (Earthquake) ductility.
  • The material used and coating: Based on the material and type of coating there are a handful of rebar types – European rebar made principally of manganese, carbon steel, galvanized, epoxy coated, glass-fibre-reinforced-polymer (GFRP), and stainless steel.

Which rebar should I choose?

The choice of rebar is determined by the Building codes and engineering specifications. Moreover, these specifications also determine the placement, spacing, pouring technique, and curing time for the reinforcement. Due to the multitude of types of rebars and demanding specifications, the choice of rebars and reinforcement is better left with the experts in steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane.

How to properly install rebars and reinforcement mesh?

Reinforcement installation is a highly technical job and must be done by professionals having specialization in reinforcement techniques.

Poorly installed reinforcement mesh and rebars can cause damage to the structure and may even cause the structure to collapse under tough conditions.

Some examples of poor installation are:

  • Using little or no steel in the concrete structure.
  • Improper placement of rebar resulting in the rebars too close to the edge and resulting in rust and corrosion.
  • Rebars and mesh shifting position when concrete is poured resulting in compromised strength.
  • Using low quality or wrong specification of rebars and mesh.

Overall:

Choosing the right type of reinforcement and proper installation is a highly complex process and must be done by a qualified professional and under the guidance of experts in the field. For any type of consultation regarding rebars and steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane, trusts none other than Reocrete.

Get artsy with rebar and premix concrete

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Concrete isn’t exclusively for pavement and driveways. It’s a material that’s useful for many domestic and private uses…like art. Architects are artists with the stuff, as are sculptors. Look at Ai Weiwei. Though grim, he used rebar from the Sichuan earthquake to make both art and a statement about the lives lost. Our suggestions, though, have less to do with destruction and more with creating.

Homewares

Premix concrete and rebar have a number of uses for our inner homewares fanatic. If you have the right tools, there’s nothing that can stop you! You can also turn your hobby into a profit and sell your wares online, on sites like Gumtree or Etsy. What can you make? Well, what can’t you make, really. Premix concrete can be shaped into the likes of:

  • Fruit bowls
  • Plates, bowls
  • Candle holders
  • iPad stands
  • Vases (flowers, succulents)
  • Paperweights

You get the picture. Any of the above can also be made with rebar, but premix concrete is more reliable (less gaps).

Furniture

Premix concrete is hardy and versatile. Besides homewares, you can also make furniture out of it! Rebar is also good for this, but is better as a  frame because the sharp edges can cut someone.

Concrete furniture looks amazing when it matches the rest of your home. Think renovated warehouses, rooms with exposed walls and cement rendering etc. Everyday homeowners have gotten more design savvy thanks to home renovation reality television.

You might need to order a little extra premix concrete and rebar to make solid items. You can’t do much with only half a bag of product. Cement-appropriate items include:

  • A variety of tables (coffee, bedside, dining room)
  • Kitchen bench (alternative to marble)
  • Shelving units
  • Storage boxes

 

Garden accessories

The contactor most likely used premix cement and rebar to create your driveway, patio and other large slabs around the house. You can use the leftovers to make something pretty, no different to a sculptor. Some furniture and accessories, like the ones above, are appropriate to have on the patio.If you have the means, and an inner Michelangelo waiting to unleash itself, create a cement block and get carving!

Here’s something else interesting to read:

Reocrete History Lesson: Famous concrete structures around the world

Concrete Design Ideas

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Concrete has an unglamorous image as something councils use to make footpaths and this isn’t fair. Its design applications for the home are endless, both outside and in. Concrete isn’t just a boring material you only use for making driveways. We’ve listed its other design uses below.

Patios

These are found in any home, whether it’s made of pavers or a concrete slab. Patios are an essential part of the Australian lifestyle. Where else would you put the barbecue and the outdoor dining set?

The method for laying out a patio is the same as if you were installing a new driveway. You can choose the type of finish you want the concrete to have, colour and surface area.

Garden Beds

Inbuilt garden beds are great for adding a little life wherever they are. Contractors build them against a wall or as a stand-alone structure. They’re strong and versatile. You don’t even have to use the garden beds for plants. They make a great storage solution. If you build a garden bed but don’t plant anything, there’s another option. You can use it to store equipment overflowing from the shed or any kid’s toys lying around. Add some thick wooden or steel slats, some cushions and you have an extra seat!

Walls

Concrete walls are an out-of-the-box design idea for modern homes that get featured in the pages of home and real estate magazines. Tadao Ando, the Japanese architect, designed structures entirely made of concrete. He designed his buildings to use the natural light wherever they are, and purposefully left the walls bare to emphasise the beauty in simplicity.

Some homeowners, though, might not see things in Tadao’s perspective. Blank walls are blank canvases. They might hang several pieces of art on the walls or even commission a mural as something unique.

Concrete and rebar together make a near-indestructible combination. They are a great return on investment and provide something sturdy for the home. While concrete home designs are nothing new, people designing a home might not give them much consideration. They favour more “traditional” home builds. The above ideas show, however, that concrete and rebar have so much more potential than just making new footpaths.

What to know about reinforcement mesh

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Steel mesh is an essential component of a sturdy build and few people besides those working in trades knows what is does. That is, unless you watch one of the dozens of renovation shows on television. Here are some basics about this material you should know if you’re looking to renovate or get into the building industry.

What is it?
An image associated with “mesh” is typically a fly screen or sliding door leading to a patio. Reinforcement mesh is different. The mesh is made of steel bars welded together to make a square or rectangular pattern.

What does it do?
Reinforcement mesh is an extra measure used to strengthen foundations. It’s laid out before the concrete is poured. The bars of the mesh are never smooth; there are grooves to “catch” the concrete. These two together make a near-unbreakable slab that’s resistant to cracks.

Is there only one type?
Absolutely not. Materials are custom ordered from major suppliers every day and there are many varieties on top of that. For simplicity’s sake, we have listed the three most common here.

  • Square mesh
    The all-rounder material. This type is used for flat concrete projects, like pathways, floor slabs and driveways.
  • Rectangular mesh
    This mesh is used for project where strength is needed in a certain direction. Like square mesh, it’s also used for footpaths and concrete slabs. However, rectangular mesh is required for walls and some foundation lays.
  • Trench mesh
    When you’re building from the ground up, you put the trench mesh in. This type is used for foundation support in homes and industrial spaces.

Steel mesh makes up the bones of any concrete structure. There are different types for different projects, whether it be square of custom made. This material reinforces concrete so that it can take hundreds of thousands of kilograms of pressure before cracks appear.

Photo credit: Rob de Vries, via VisualHunt.com / CC BY