Undoubtedly, concrete is the most important material in construction. This is because of its impressive flexibility, strength, and durability. People all over the world prefer concrete as a primary choice in various construction projects. But even if the concrete has a potential flaw, it may tend to break under certain types of forces. This situation can be managed by various materials, with rebar being one of the most efficient options.. Both the concrete and rebar form an inseparable partnership, leading to enhanced durability and structural integrity. Together, they can handle immense loads and terrible environmental conditions.
This article clearly explains the purpose of rebar in concrete and its different types.
Types of Rebar
Rebar is a special material suitable for any type of concrete structure to enhance its abilities. Based on the type of situation, rebar types used may vary. Here are the lists of main types of rebar:
Black Bar
The black bar is also known as carbon steel or tempered steel rebar and is particularly used for residential and commercial concrete construction. It is cheap but easily corrodes when directly exposed to high-humidity locations.
Galvanised Rebar
Carbon steel is coated with a protective layer of zinc metal, known as galvanised rebar. This coating acts as a barrier to corrosive elements in the concrete structure. Galvanised rebar is more expensive than regular rebar due to its reduced maintenance and long lifespan.
Epoxy-Coated Rebar
Similar to galvanised rebars, black bars coated with epoxy are another rebar type. It offers the same strength as regular rebar but with more corrosion resistance. This rebar type needs extra care during transportation and use as the coating may get easily damaged.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Rebar (GFRP)
GFRP is highly expensive but not easily corroded. It is specifically suitable for construction projects in large humidity regions. This rebar is inflexible yet offers lightness and durability.
European Rebar
European rebar is made with manganese, which is a relatively weak material. Probably, this is not the right material to use in applications exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
Stainless Steel Rebar
Stainless steel rebars are expensive and offer high fatigue resistance, ductility, strength, and toughness, along with corrosion-resistant properties. It is suitable for large-scale construction projects, like bridges and other structures in areas of high seismicity.
Why Concrete Requires Rebar
Though concrete is known for its impressive strength and durability, it also has some downsides. Rebars overcome these by providing the following benefits:
Added Strength
Concrete with rebar provides added strength to the construction. Concrete has excellent compressive strength but lesser tensile strength; however, this togetherness can balance it. Rebar particularly doubles the tensile strength to resist being pulled or stretched.
Less Concrete Thickness
For extra strength, a thicker pour of concrete mix is required. However, in some construction areas, you don’t have enough space for it. Adding rebar to the concrete mix increases the ability to sustain heavy loads even at minimal thickness. This concrete reduction is best in terms of flexibility and saves costs.
Minimize Cracks
Combining rebar with concrete improves the breaking point and reduces the number of cracks in a structure or building. Generally, cracks occur due to heavy pressure, which the concrete struggles to sustain. Rebar optimises its ability, improving durability and bearing capacity.
Versatility
Rebar is available in many types, sizes, forms, and shapes. They can be customized according to the project’s needs, which typically adds length and stability to the construction.
Ensures Safe Structure
Concrete reinforced with rebar reduces the chances of structural failure. These damages usually occur due to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Concrete reinforced by steel bars minimises the chance of building collapse and the risk of injuries.
Factors for Choosing the Best Rebar
With so many rebar types available, these are the factors that decide which is best to use in concrete:
Humidity: Rebar is generally composed of steel. When in contact with water, it easily corrodes. As mentioned earlier, some special types of rebar contain extreme corrosion-resistant properties. Deciding the rebar type based on the level of humidity in that region helps.
Budget: Cost is a major concern in all construction projects. There is no use in choosing the expensive and highest quality rebar is constructed if it is unnecessary. You can balance the cost of rebar based on the project budget and the needs of the structure.
Anticipated Loads: The amount of concrete tells how much load it can withstand, and the choice of rebar depends on the anticipated loads.. As discussed, rebar is a primary material that provides extensive tensile strength to concrete. Projects with higher tensile stress and anticipated loads need a stronger rebar type.
Location: The structural location is also an important factor to be noted when choosing a rebar. Some regions are highly prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes. It increases the stress on a structure and causes shrinkage and cracks. Consider high-quality rebar tolerating temperatures higher than normal.
A Guide to Install Rebar with Concrete
The significance of rebar can be obtained only if it is installed properly. It is crucial to follow the engineer’s instructions from head to toe. They must also be specially trained to guide the workers in following all local building codes.
Even a wrong selection of rebar type severely impacts the structural strength. So far, being aware of a specified type, grade, and size of rebar helps go with the wise selection.
To ensure a solid bonding with concrete, the rebar should be clean and debris-free before installation.
The rebar should be fully indulged inside the concrete. If it still exists out of the concrete, you need to pour more to cover it.
Final Wordings
Using rebar with concrete reduces the concrete requirement and improves the tensile strength, safety, and versatility of the structure. Hopefully, you have an idea of which type of rebar is right for your construction project. A discussion with your site engineer regarding this will help you more efficiently.
FAQs
Concrete is a composite material prepared with water, cement, aggregates, and some chemical admixtures. A rebar, or reinforcing bar is a steel embedded with concrete to add tensile strength and structural integrity to a structure. In general, concrete is weak in tensile strength but good at compressive strength and it can be efficiently balanced using this togetherness in any construction project.
No, it will not! The method will work out only in specific situations if certain factors are favourable. They include project requirements, budget, cost, location, and site condition.