Rebar is steel rod placed in wet concrete to strengthen it and control cracking. Select rebar size based on job requirements and arrange in a coherent pattern. Wire mesh is an alternative to rebar for flat concrete. Both should be placed halfway through the thickness of the concrete and elevated on chairs. Overlap sections and leave open seams for control joints. Different methods can be used for placing wire mesh, including lifting it into the center of the wet concrete using a shaking motion.
Rebar, commonly called rebar, is steel rod that is placed in wet concrete mix. Rebar makes the finished concrete stronger, so it can withstand more stress and loading. Rebar also helps control cracking.
When selecting rebar, match rebar size to job requirements. Rebar can be purchased in different sizes. For residential work, diameter no. 3, 3/8 inch (1 cm), armature is commonly used in flat work, while diameter no. 4, 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) and no. 5.5/8 inches (1.6 cm) in diameter, the rebar is used in the walls.
The armature must be arranged in a coherent pattern. The type of pattern and the distance between the bars depend on the project. An 18-inch-square (45.7 cm) grid is typical for a driveway, while two parallel bars about eight inches (about 20 cm) apart are typical for footings.
Standard sections of armor are 20 feet (6 m) long, so more than one bar is usually needed to cover the distance. When choosing rebar for a project, remember that two or more sections of rebar can be laid end-to-end, with the ends overlapping and wired together. The amount of overlap is determined by the size of the rebar. The bar should overlap at least 30 times its diameter. For example, following this rule, two bars No. 4 should overlap by at least 15 inches (38cm). Joints should be placed away from project corners, an important point to consider when choosing rebar layouts.
Armature can be cut to required lengths. There are several ways to cut armor. A hacksaw or jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade can be used to cut just over half of the bar. The pieces are then torn apart. A circular saw with a cutting blade can also be used. So can a cutting torch. A special tool called a rebar cutter/folder is the most efficient way to cut rebar.
Rebar will only strengthen the finished concrete if it is half the thickness of the concrete, so consider placement when choosing rebar. The armor should be elevated on small blocks, called chairs, which position it correctly. Scrap stone or concrete are suitable choices for chairs. Bricks should not be used; they are so porous that they will draw water from the concrete mix, resulting in weakness of the finished product.
In designs that require less bracing, other types of bracing can be used. Welded metal fabric (WWF), or wire mesh, is commonly used as a reinforcing material, especially for flat concrete. Helps control cracking in finished concrete.
Wire mesh used for residential buildings usually has 15.2 cm squares. It can be purchased in five-by-eight-foot (1.5 to 2.4 m) sheets or in 50-foot (15.2 m) rolls. Sheets are easier to handle because they are flat, but rolls are easier to transport. Consider what features will make the job easier.
When spreading the wire mesh, overlap the sections by at least six inches (15.2 cm). Leave an open seam approximately four inches (10.2 cm) where the control joints will be placed in the finished concrete.
Choosing armor also involves choosing a method for placing it. Like rebar, the wire mesh must be placed correctly, halfway through the thickness of the concrete. Wire mesh can be elevated over chairs, just like rebar. An alternative method is to lay wire mesh on the ground inside the shapes. As the concrete is poured and raked into place, hook the wire with the rake and lift it into the center of the wet concrete, using a shaking motion. Repeat this every few feet. A third method is to pour and level half of the concrete, place the wire mesh, and pour and level the rest of the concrete.
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