REINFORCEMENT

BY: GROUP 4
OBJECTIVE:
To share information to engineering students about
the benefits of applying reinforcement on
construction materials, namely concrete and
aggregates.
TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:
Reinforcing Bars
Welded-Wire Fabric (WWF)
Prestressing Steel
Fabrication and Placing of Rebars
Bar Supports
Inspection of Reinforcement
REINFORCING BARS
Reinforcing steel bars are used to help concrete
withstand tension forces. Concrete by nature is
sufficiently strong to compression forces, although
tension forces can crack concrete.
REINFORCING BARS
Deformed rebars on reinforcing steel was made a
standard requirement since 1968, however, plain
rebars are also used in situations where the
reinforcing steel is expected to slide as usually
installed in highway pavement and in segmental
bridges.
REINFORCING BARS
5 Rebar Types
1. Welded Wire Fabric
2. Sheet Metal Reinforcing Bars
3. Stainless Steel Rebars
4. Expanded Metal or Wire Mesh
5. Epoxy-Coated Rebars
Welded Wire Fabric
Welded wire fabric is made from a series of steel wires
arranged at right angles and electrically welded at all
steel wires crossings. Welded wire fabric, also known
as WWF, can be used in slab-on-ground slabs, where
the ground has been well compacted. A heavier
fabrication of welded wire fabric can be used in walls
and structural floor slabs. This is commonly used
in road pavements, box culverts and drainage
structures, and small concrete canals.
Sheet-Metal Reinforcing Bars
Sheet-metal reinforcement is commonly used in floor
slabs, stairs and roof construction.
Stainless Steel Rebars
Stainless steel can be used as an alternative
reinforcing steel bars with carbon steel
reinforcement. Using stainless steel reinforcing bars
will not create galvanic corrosion, and can be a cost-
effective solution in areas subject to corrosion
problems, or where repair is difficult and expensive.
Expanded Metal or Wire Mesh
Expanded metal or wire mesh reinforcement is also
another good reinforcement product for
concrete. Expanded metal is made by shearing a
sheet of steel into parallel lines and the expanded to
form a diamond shape or square shape between each
cut.
Expanded Metal or Wire Mesh
Expanded metal is commonly used as reinforcement
in areas where great thickness of plaster is required,
or to reinforced light concrete construction. Wire
mesh reinforcement can be used on sidewalks, small
concrete pads or walkable surfaces that do not receive
high live nor load charges.
Epoxy-Coated Rebars
Epoxy-coated rebars are expensive and used in areas
that will be either in contact with salt water or where
the corrosion problem is imminent. The only problem
is that sometimes the coating can be very delicate and
this, so make sure to order those bars from a
reputable supplier.
Purpose of Rebar in Concrete
Rebar is the commonly used name for a reinforcing
bar that is used to strengthen concrete. Rebar is made
from different alloys and grades of steel and is
manufactured with ridges so that the concrete that is
poured onto the bars can adhere easily to them.
Stainless steel rebar is resistant to rust and is often
used in the construction of buildings and in poured
concrete driveways.
Purpose of Rebar in Concrete
Strength - Poured concrete is extremely strong and
does very well under compression, but when there
are tension stresses placed on it, it can fail. For
example, if a concrete beam is supported only at the
two ends, the middle will be subjected to tension
stress. This stress can be relieved by strengthening the
concrete with reinforcing steel bars or rebar. The rebar
absorbs the tension stress and thereby prevents the
concrete from cracking or breaking.
Purpose of Rebar in Concrete
Reduces Thickness - Rebar can also reduce the
thickness of the concrete that is poured on such
surfaces as driveways or garage floors. Many different
mixtures such as ash and aggregates are added to
cement to produce concrete, and all these add to the
thickness of the concrete slab. When rebar is used in
the concrete, the steel bars add their strength to the
mix and allow for a thinner slab of concrete to be
used.
Benefits of Rebar
Adding rebar to concrete has many benefits. Rebar is
easy to set into place before pouring the concrete. It
helps to reduce the cracking and breaking that is
common in concrete because of its brittle properties.
Rebar provides strength to concrete and saves money
for the purchaser since the concrete slab, blocks or
building will last longer.
Reasons to Use Rebar
Most contractors who use concrete know that it will
crack over time. They are also aware that stainless
steel rebar provides strength and helps to support a
concrete structure by absorbing and distributing the
tension that is caused when concrete expands and
contracts due to climate variations.
WELDED-WIRE FABRIC (WWF)
Welded wire mesh, or welded wire fabric, or
"weldmesh" is an electric fusion welded prefabricated
joined grid consisting of a series of parallel
longitudinal wires with accurate spacing welded to
cross wires at the required spacing.
Machines are used to produce the mesh with precise
dimensional control. The product can result in
considerable savings in time, labor and money.
Uses of WWF
The welded wire mesh is a metal wire screen that is
made up of low carbon steel wire or stainless steel
wire. It is available in various sizes and shapes. It is
widely used in agricultural, industrial, transportation,
horticultural and food procuring sectors. It is also used
in mines, gardening, machine protection and other
decorations.
Uses of WWF
Reinforced concrete (RC) is a composite material in
which concrete's relatively low tensile
strength and ductility are counteracted by the
inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile
strength or ductility. The reinforcement is usually,
though not necessarily, steel reinforcing bars (rebar)
and is usually embedded passively in the concrete
before the concrete sets.
 Types of WWF
1. Welded wire fabric (WWF) for concrete slab reinforcement
 Types of WWF
2. Electro galvanized welded wire mesh with square opening
 Types of WWF
3. Hot dipped galvanized welded mesh
 Types of WWF
4. PVC coated welded mesh
 Types of WWF
5. Welded stainless steel mesh
 Types of WWF
6. Welded wire fencing panels
 Types of WWF
7. Welded steel bar gratings
PRESTRESSING STEEL
Concrete used in most construction work is reinforced
with steel. When concrete structural members must
resist extreme tensile stresses, steel supplies the
necessary strength. Steel is embedded in the concrete
in the form of a mesh, or roughened or twisted bars. A
bond forms between the steel and the concrete, and
stresses can be transferred between both
components.
PRESTRESSING STEEL
This section covers the following topics.
1. Forms of Prestressing Steel
2. Types of Prestressing Steel
3. Properties of Prestressing Steel
4. Codal Provisions of Steel
Forms of Prestressing Steel
The development of prestressed concrete was
influenced by the invention of high strength steel. It is
an alloy of iron, carbon, manganese and optional
materials. The following material describes the types
and properties of prestressing steel.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
1. Wires
A prestressing wire is a single unit made of steel. The
nominal diameters of the wires are 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0,
7.0 and 8.0 mm. The different types of wires are as
follows:
1. Plain wire: No indentations on the surface.
2. Indented wire: There are circular or elliptical
indentations on the surface.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
2. Strands
A few wires are spun together in a helical form to form a
prestressing strand.
1. Two-wire strand: Two wires are spun together to form
the strand.
2. Three-wire strand: Three wires are spun together to
form the strand.
3. Seven-wire strand: In this type of strand, six wires are
spun around a central wire. The central wire is larger
than the other wires.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
3. Tendons
A group of strands or wires are placed together to
form a prestressing tendon. The tendons are used in
post-tensioned members. The following figure shows
the cross section of a typical tendon. The strands are
placed in a duct which may be filled with grout after
the post-tensioning operation is completed.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
4. Cables
A group of tendons form a prestressing cable. The
cables are used in bridges.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
5. Bars
A tendon can be made up of a single steel bar. The
diameter of a bar is much larger than that of a wire.
Bars are available in the following sizes: 10, 12, 16, 20,
22, 25, 28 and 32 mm.
Types of Prestressing Steel
The steel is treated to achieve the desired properties.
1. Cold working (cold drawing)
2. Stress relieving
3. Strain tempering for low relaxation
Types of Prestressing Steel
1. Cold working (cold drawing)
The cold working is done by rolling the bars through
a series of dyes. It re-aligns the crystals and
increases the strength.
Types of Prestressing Steel
2. Stress relieving
The stress relieving is done by heating the strand to
about 350 C and cooling slowly. This reduces the
plastic deformation of the steel after the onset of
yielding.
Types of Prestressing Steel
3. Strain tempering for low relaxation
This process is done by heating the strand to about
350 C while it is under tension. This also improves
the stress-strain behavior of the steel by reducing
the plastic deformation after the onset of yielding.
In addition, the relaxation is reduced.
Properties of Prestressing Steel
The steel in prestressed applications has to be of good
quality. It requires the following attributes.
1. High strength
2. Adequate ductility
3. Bendability, which is required at the harping points and
near the anchorage
4. High bond, required for pre-tensioned members
5. Low relaxation to reduce losses
6. Minimum corrosion.
Codal Provisions of Steel
The following topics are covered in IS:1343 - 1980
under the respective sections. These provisions are
not duplicated here.
Table 1-7.7 Topics and sections
Assembly of prestressing and Section 11
reinforcing steel
Prestressing Section 12
FABRICATION AND PLACING OF REBARS
Fabrication of rebar
Its consists of cutting to length and required bending.
Reinforcing bars often need bending (fabrication) into
various shapes to accommodate the stresses in the
projects design.
 Cutting Bending Guidelines
In the cutting, bending, and placing of reinforcing steel, it is
recognized that it is not reasonable to require all bars to be cut,
bent, and placed precisely as shown on the Project Plans. On
the other hand, the strength of each member of a structure is
dependent upon the cutting, bending, and placing being within
reasonable tolerances. Because of these facts, the Department
has adopted allowable tolerances that are considered
reasonable and practical to meet yet will not significantly
reduce the strength of the structural member below the
theoretical design strength.
Cutting and Bending Tolerances
The following tolerances are based on industry
standards established by the Concrete Reinforcing
Steel Institute.
1. Cutting to length on straight bars: 1 inch (25 mm).
2. Hooked bars, out-to-out: 1 inch (25 mm).
3. Truss bars, out-to-out: 1 inch (25 mm). The height
(H) or drop (rise): 1/2 inch (13 mm). Bend down
points and bend up points shall be within 2 inches (50
mm) of position indicated on the Project Plans.
Cutting and Bending Tolerances
The following tolerances are based on industry
standards established by the Concrete Reinforcing
Steel Institute.
4. Spirals or circles ties, out-to-out dimension: 1/2
inch (13 mm).
5. Column ties or stirrups, out-to-out dimension: 1/2
inch (13 mm).
RECOMMENDED END HOOKS, All Grades
PLACING OF REBAR
 Minimum Concrete Coverage
1. Footings 3 inches at the sides and on the bottoms of footings or other
principal structural members where concrete is deposited on the ground.
2. Walls 2 inches for bars larger than No. 5, where concrete surfaces, after
removal of forms, would be exposed to the weather or be in contact with the
ground; 1 1/2 inches for No. 5 bars and smaller; 3/4 inch from the faces of all
walls not exposed directly to the ground or the weather.
3. Columns 1 1/2 inches over spirals and ties.
4. Beams and girders 1 1/2 inches to the nearest bars on the top, bottom,
and sides.
5. Joists and slabs 3/4 inch on the top, bottom, and sides of joists and on
the top and the bottom of slabs where concrete surfaces are not exposed
directly to the ground or the weather.
Placement Tolerances
1. Height of bottom bars above forms shall be as indicated
on the Project Plans, 1/4 inch (6 mm).
2. Top bars shall have the clearance indicated on the Project
Plans, 1/4 inch (6 mm).
3. Clearance from forms on vertical walls, columns, wings,
and similar members shall be as indicated on the Project
Plans, 1/4 inch (6 mm).
4. Spacing of bars in long runs of slabs or walls may vary up
to 2 inches (50 mm), but it is important that the proper
number of bars is placed.
Splicing and Lapping
Reinforcing steel is often specified in lengths that are too
long for the steel to be delivered and placed as a single
piece. As a result, two or more pieces are often spliced
together at the site to form one long single bar. The following
are three methods that ADOT allows to splice rebar.
Lap Splices
Lap splices are formed when two bars are overlapped
for a certain length and tied together. The length of
the overlap is called the lap length and is specified in
the Project Plans. A sufficient lap length is needed to
adequately transfer loads between the bars. Lap
lengths can be longer than specified, but never
shorter. Inadequate lap length can cause severe
cracking in the concrete around the lap.
 Reinforced concrete is typically its weakest around the
lap splices in the primary reinforcement bars. For this
reason, lap splices are placed in areas where the
stresses in a reinforced concrete section are the
lowest. The Inspector must ensure that the Contractor
laps reinforcing steel only in the places specified in the
Project Plans and with sufficient lap length.
Non-Contact Lap Splices
When a precast member is structurally connected to a
cast-in-place concrete member or another precast
member, the rebar from both members is lap spliced
together to ensure adequate stress transfer across the
two members. Sometimes due to the positioning of the
precast member or because of placement tolerances in
the reinforcing steel, the lapped bars do not end up
touching each other at the splice. In other words, there is
a gap between the two bars at the lap splice.
BAR SUPPORTS
Most design specifications call for reinforcing bars to
be precisely and accurately spaced. The most common
way of spacing reinforcing bars is through the use of
reinforcing bar supports. These supports come in a
variety of configurations for various applications and
can be made of metal, concrete, fiber-reinforced
cement, plastic, or other material.
BAR SUPPORTS
Wire Bar Supports
Metal bar supports usually are made of plain or
stainless steel wire and are one of the most
common types used (Table 1). Lower portions of
wire supports may have a plastic coating to prevent
rusting, or are manufactured in whole or part of
stainless steel. Both types can be used where light
grinding (1/16 inch or less) or sandblasting of the
concrete will be done.
Types of Supports
Plastic-coated wire bar supports (Class 1maximum
protection) are intended for use in situations of
moderate to severe exposure. The plastic coating
usually is applied by the manufacturer by dipping or
by using pre-molded slip-on plastic tips. No matter
which method is used, inspect the coating or tip
before use to ensure that it will not chip, crack,
deform, peel, or come loose under ordinary job
conditions.
Types of Supports
Plastic-coated wire bar supports (Class 1maximum
protection) are intended for use in situations of
moderate to severe exposure. The plastic coating
usually is applied by the manufacturer by dipping or
by using pre-molded slip-on plastic tips. No matter
which method is used, inspect the coating or tip
before use to ensure that it will not chip, crack,
deform, peel, or come loose under ordinary job
conditions.
 Types of Supports
Stainless steel protected bar supports (Class 2moderate
protection) are for use in moderate - exposure applications.
One type of stainless steel support is fabricated from steel
wire and has a stainless steel tip or leg extension attached to
each leg. Tipped bar supports generally provide a minimum of
1/4 inch of stainless steel protection f rom the form surface,

while supports with leg extensions generally provide a

minimum of 3/4 inch of protection. Legs on other types of
wire bar supports are fabricated
Types of Supports
Bright basic wire bar supports (Class 3no
protection) have no protection against rusting and are
intended for use where surface blemishes can be
tolerated or where the supports do not come in
contact with exposed concrete surfaces.
Concrete Bar Supports
Precast concrete bar supports (Table 2) are normally
available in three styles: plain, with wires, and
doweled. Plain concrete bar supports are used to
support bars off the ground. Concrete bar supports
usually come with two wires cast into the supports
center. The wires are used to hold the support against
vertical forms or to hold the concrete bar support in
place by tying it to reinforcing bars.
Fiber-reinforced Supports
Cementitious fiber- reinforced bar supports (Table 3)
are available in two types: plain and with wire. Most
are chemically inert and bond naturally to the
concrete. Both types can be used for both horizontal
and vertical reinforcing steel support. Many supports
of this type are available in configurations that offer
multiple support heights from the same support.
All-plastic Bar Supports
Many all-plastic bar support s (Table 4) can be used for
both horizontal and vertical reinforcing steel due to
their snap-on action or other method of attachment.
All-plastic supports offer the advantages of being
lightweight, non-porous, and chemically inert to
concrete.
Supports for Epoxy-coated Bars
Epoxy-coated reinforcing bars have become a widely
used corrosion - protection system for reinforced
concrete structures. Special types of bar supports
should be used with epoxy- coated bars. This is done
to pre vent damaging the coating on the bars during
field placement and to pre vent a potential source of
corrosion w h e re the bar supports contact the coated
bars.
Supports for Epoxy-coated Bars
To pre vent problems when using epoxy-coated
reinforcing bars, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel
Institute recommends the following:
1. Wire bar supports should be coated with dielectric
(non-conducting) material, such as epoxy or plastic,
compatible with concrete, for a distance of at least 2
inches from the point of contact with the epoxy-
coated reinforcing bars, or ,
Supports for Epoxy-coated Bars
To prevent problems when using epoxy-coated
reinforcing bars, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel
Institute recommends the following:
1. Wire bar supports should be coated with dielectric
(non-conducting) material, such as epoxy or plastic,
compatible with concrete, for a distance of at least
2 inches from the point of contact with the epoxy-
coated reinforcing bars, or,
Supports for Epoxy-coated Bars
To prevent problems when using epoxy-coated
reinforcing bars, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel
Institute recommends the following:
2. Bar supports should be made of dielectric material.
In addition, if precast concrete blocks with
embedded wire ties or precast concrete doweled
blocks are used, the wires or dowels should be
epoxy coated or plastic-coated, or,
Supports for Epoxy-coated Bars
To prevent problems when using epoxy-coated
reinforcing bars, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel
Institute recommends the following:
3. Reinforcing bars that are used as support bars
should be epoxy- coated. In walls reinforced with
epoxy coated bars, spreader bars (where specified)
also should be epoxy-coated.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
No doubt it needs experience and also needs know-
how of the steel rebar binding process. But here are
some of the tips from top peers who are doing this in
the field for years:
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
a. Start from the drawings, one must be well aware of
how to read a rebar drawing. As drawings is a language
for engineers one must know how to communicate
with it in the field. Make a habit of reading drawings
that will be your first step towards a successful rebar
checker.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
b. Always keep a measuring tape with yourself that will
help you in checking the spacing as well as the splice
length or development length.
c. Always wear plastic gloves while inspection because
holding steel with naked hands will damage the skin of
yours badly.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
d. You must be well aware of the physical features of
the construction component i.e. if some sort of
drainage pipe or electrical conduit is to be installed or
water stopper to be placed or any other pipes /
embedded item to be placed.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
e. Some important things one must check are the rebar
diameter You can use vernier caliper for this purpose,
rebar spacing, rebar development length, lap / splice
length, alignment or rebar there must be no sag or
buckling in the bars, couplers if any must be properly fixed
tightened, bars must be properly fixed, bars must not be
rusted, clear cover is one very important factor to be
checked, no of bars must be counted and must be equal to
given in drawings and must not be less or more than 2 bars
be placed there.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
f. If you are a new comer try to establish a conversation
between contractors foreman or site engineer because
they will know how these bars are placed but never
ever show to them that you dont know much and are
here to learn things.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
g. You must be well aware of the steel quality tests like
tensile strength check or torsion failure strength or
coupler tension strength check etc. You must ensure
that the steel being used is from the checked lot and
must not be of a failed quality.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
h. No doubt in field a true implementation of the
design is very difficult due to harsh field conditions and
difficultly in installation / fixing of rebars but never ever
compromise with the design as it is a driving factor that
can even results in collapse of a building if completely
ignored / violated.
INSPECTION OF STEEL REBAR
i. One very important factor is the orientation of bars
like main rebars are always below the distribution or
temperature rebars you can check this from the
drawings provided to you.
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
The pre-concrete check for reinforcement essentially
comes in two parts. The first part is a visual inspection
by the clerk of works or equivalent.
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
Using a steel tape, cover thickness will be checked and
any spacers that have fallen off or been broken will
need to be replaced.
The clerk or equivalent will be looking to see that the
reinforcement bars are free of excessive rust and not
covered in mud from foot traffic.
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
Similarly, the bottom of the concrete pour must be free
of debris including the cutoffs from the steel tying bars.
The clerk will also check for under-bent bars that may
mail to allow the correct cover and that the bars are at
the correct spacing.
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
Pre-Concrete Checks for Reinforcement
In the above fig, left side images shows reinforcement
have not been placed correctly. Right side images
shows correct way of placing of reinforcement.
The second part is carried out by a surveyor, who will
check the steel levels against the required levels from
the design drawings. If these levels are satisfactory
and the clerk has completed the visual checks then
the pour will proceed.
Establishing a Checklist
At the outset of the construction project, set in place
an inspection program. The inspector should meet
with the general contractor's superintendent, the
supplier's representative, the ironworker foreman,
and other interested parties such as the
architect/engineer or the architect/engineer's
inspector.
 Establishing a Checklist
Checklist Items may Include:
Materials Coatings
In-Place Reinforcing Tolerances, including fabricating and
Bars placing
Bar Supports In-Situ Bending and Rebending
Reinforcing Bars
Tying Requirements Field Cutting of Reinforcing Bars
Splices Lap Splices, Mechanical Splices, and
Welded Splices
What the Inspector Needs to Know
Inspection is a time consuming task, and one requiring
workers to perform to the best of their ability. The
inspector should not be adversarial, but complement
the workers in support of good construction
techniques and practice.
The Inspector Must Have:
1. Project specifications and drawings, and be familiar
with them.
2. Reasonable knowledge of the building code
requirements.
3. Access to material standards and reference codes.
4. Industry manuals and reports.