Whether it is for a large public works construction project such as bridges and highways or simply for constructing a residential driveway, reinforcing mesh is one of the most widely used concrete reinforcing materials in construction and other industries. So what is this essential material used for reinforcing concrete in construction? And what are the best types to use in a construction project?
Reinforcing Mesh: Its uses.
The main reason to use reinforcing mesh in construction is to reinforce the structural integrity of concrete and improve tensile strength and prevent cracks due to structural stresses. Reinforcing mesh can greatly minimize the appearance of cracks but is recognized that it will not prevent cracks from appearing in concrete. The main reason for using reinforcing mesh is that it should keep cracks from appearing in the middle of a concrete structure that may adversely compromise its long-term durability and stability and it also allows concrete to keep cracks closed if they appear around the edges or surfaces of a concrete structure which can be expected in any concrete structure.
Reinforcing Mesh: Its types and common uses.
Reinforcing mesh can be square to rectangular, welded, brick wall, and ladder mesh and can be made in a wide variety of shapes and sizes for use in specific applications.
Some of the most commonly used reinforcing mesh for concrete construction.
The square reinforcing mesh.
The square reinforcing mesh is a general-purpose concrete reinforcing mesh used for constructing flat concrete slabs and walls. It is the most common and widely available shape and comes in many sizes either in standard dimensions or made to order to fit specific concrete construction applications.
The trench reinforcing mesh.
The trench reinforcing mesh is specifically for trenches used in residential roofing applications which are used in the construction of residential foundations or a border concreting for homes. The trench reinforcing mesh can also be used for constructing concrete footpaths, rock-climbing walls, non-load bearing brick walls, and any other narrow structures.
The rectangular reinforcing mesh.
The rectangular reinforcing mesh is generally used when a single directional strength is required for a specific concrete construction application such as in very wide walls and floors that are also too long or too tall. The rectangular reinforcing mesh is used when the concrete construction dimensions require extra one-directional support.
The ribbed reinforcing mesh.
The ribbed reinforcing mesh improves its bonding with concrete and provides superior crack prevention by making concrete more flexible which results in its resistance to vibration-induced stress cracks. A ribbed profile can be applied to any style and shape of reinforcing mesh, from square to the trench reinforcement, and it is the most common method of steel bar manufacturing currently used for all concrete construction applications.
Do all concrete construction projects need reinforcing mesh?
In almost all modern concrete construction projects, concrete is necessary to ensure a structure’s strength and long-term durability. The reinforcing mesh makes certain that concrete structures are firm, sturdy, and reliable for all types of small to large concrete construction projects. But sometimes, the larger the concrete construction project such as in public works, concrete is required to be stronger than it needs to be and that is when a reinforcing mesh is required.
The reinforcing bar and reinforcing mesh options for strengthening concrete.
There are two main options generally used when it comes to reinforcing concrete. The first option is the use of reinforcing bars, which the steel rods are, is made from different thicknesses. Reinforcing bars are generally ribbed to provide better grip when mixed in with concrete. Reinforcing bars are typically used to encompass the edges of large concrete slabs to prevent their edges from easily cracking under stress.
Reinforcing mesh, on the other hand, is often paired with reinforcing bars depending on the concrete application. The reinforcing mesh is made up of wires welded together into a flat reinforcing sheet with the wires forming a square and grid-like pattern to better adhere to the concrete. The reinforcing mesh comes in varying sizes and thicknesses to meet specific concrete construction applications. Since the curing of concrete seals it off the reinforcing mesh from oxygen, reinforcing mesh does not corrode and rust in long-term use which is why thicker slabs of concrete are ideally suited for reinforcing mesh.
Will all concrete construction projects require reinforcing mesh?
While not all concrete construction projects will require reinforcing mesh, larger concrete construction projects or concrete slabs may require the reinforcing mesh to provide support and extra strength against cracking from repeated stress and vibrations.
With major concrete construction projects, it is important for structural engineers to carefully look over their plans and concrete strength requirements to ensure the structural strength of their concrete project and it is commonly accepted that some areas of a concrete construction project will require reinforcing mesh no matter the size or scale of the concrete structure such as in public works projects.
Parts of a concrete project that are expected to encounter a heavy workload such as repeated bending and vibrational stresses will always require the reinforcing mesh to prevent concrete weakening and cracking under long-term heavy use. Anything from a lot of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, load-bearing walls, and other foundational pieces will need the extra strength of concrete provided by reinforcing mesh.
How to know if reinforcing mesh is needed?
For something like a pedestrian pathway or a shed floor for residences reinforcing mesh is not needed. Even residential driveways may not require reinforcing mesh but still, most contractors recommend reinforcing mesh mixed in with concrete since vehicles can weigh quite a lot and stresses the driveway concrete in long-term use.
While something like a carport, driveway, or garage floor may not require a reinforcing mesh permit it is generally the normal practice to have reinforcing mesh installed as they take a lot of weight and traffic. For concrete slabs to be placed on softer or spongy ground, they can benefit from having reinforcing mesh installed to prevent premature cracking due to uneven weight distribution.
Whenever concrete requires to be strengthened, a reinforcing mesh is a great choice even if it is not required since the need for additional strength support in concrete varies with each specific concrete use application.
