Understanding Some Important Considerations When Choosing Rebar
If you have just started doing concrete construction work through your own business or someone else's, then you should understand that rebar is likely to be used during the construction process. Rebar must be purchased with the right properties for the job, and there are a few considerations that must be taken into account when rebar is chosen. Keep reading to learn about a few of them.
Rebar Size
Like almost any other construction material, you need to look at size when picking out your rebar. The specific size refers to the diameter of the product in millimeters. The vast majority of residential products utilize 6-, 8-, or 10-millimeter rebar. And, you want to choose from these three sizes based on how much weight will be placed on the concrete surface.
For example, a concrete driveway will not retain a great deal of weight, meaning that the 6-millimeter rebar can likely be used. This is also true of patios and other outdoor areas. However, if the concrete is serving as the foundation for a home, then 10-millimeter options may be best. And, keep in mind that there are other dimensions available when it comes to commercial rebar products. Costs will go up though if you pick the thicker rebar simply based on the steel materials needed to create the material.
Also, just because you are buying and using thicker steel, it does not mean that the concrete will automatically be stronger. Good placement is required to ensure the strength of the construction.
Tensile Strength
Not only will placement directly impact strength but so will the yield strength of the steel. Yield strength refers to the overall strength of the steel used to make the rebar. High yield strength steel will be much more durable and this is made with an upper grade of steel. The steel grade is determined by the manufacturing process and the impurities within the metal. So, a tempered steel with few impurities will offer more tensile strength.
Tensile strength can be increased by simply choosing a thicker steel, but purchasing a higher-grade material will affect the yield strength much more. So, in other words, if you have the option of using a high-quality and low-diameter steel, then this is preferable over a lower-quality product that is two to three times larger in diameter.
Keep in mind that the strongest products are typically called reinforced or heavy duty, so look for these if you need or want commercial-grade tensile strength.
If you want to know more about rebar and the products for your concrete construction jobs, speak with a steel retailer or rebar seller like Atlantic Supply.