Choosing Between a Custom or Standard Mesh for Your ...

The use of steel reinforcement in most construction projects is essential if you want your concrete structures to be strong and structurally sound and not prone to fractures and cracking. Steel reinforcing mesh provides structural integrity and even extends the life of the concrete much more than it would without the steel mesh. The question that comes to most contractors and engineers is, what type of mesh reinforcement should be used in a construction project? Here's what a structural steel and fabrication specialist has to say about this.

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What's the Difference Between a Standard and Custom Mesh?

There are several standard options when it comes to mesh sheets. However, a standard mesh and a custom mesh are two of the most common alternatives to choose from. They are both used to give concrete durability and better tensile strength. The standard size of a mesh sheet is 6.0m x 2.4m. Though the dimensions work well for your typical construction jobs, they will not work for everything. This is where custom mesh comes into the picture.

Custom Mesh

Let's look at custom mesh a bit closer. Custom mesh is a kind of reinforcement steel mesh made to specifications for large projects involving oddly shaped structures. As the name suggests, custom mesh offers much more flexibility and can practically accommodate almost any shape and configuration of your structure.

Custom mesh is made by having mesh sheets cut and bent according to their requirements in an offsite location. These are prefabricated sheets that are then transported to the construction site, therefore minimising disruption to the ongoing project. While a standard mesh is prefabricated mainly, they only follow a specific cut and measurement used on a typical construction project.

Custom Mesh vs. Standard Mesh

In a way, a standard mesh can be 'customised' for a larger construction project, but that would be a lot more expensive. When you use standard mesh for a large construction project, you will be looking at additional labour costs if every mesh sheet needs to be cut and bent to fit the project. You'll be needing large quantities of cut and bent mesh, which would require a large amount of labour onsite. This could easily drive your costs up and cause some delays since work can't be started if the mesh isn't complete.

In a situation like this, you're better off working with a structural steel specialist in Queensland and have them make a custom mesh for you. Having a large number of custom mesh sheets is practically more cost-efficient than working with many standard ones. You should contact a reinforcing steel supplier and have all the custom mesh cut and bent offsite, so all you need to do is installing and applying them to your project. This will decrease the need for onsite labour and speed up the timeline of your construction project, in turn saving you money.

Conclusion

The use of standard and custom mesh depends on the kind of project you're working on. Both options can be cost-effective solutions if applied correctly. Make sure to consult with a steel reinforcement expert to know which options best suit your project.

Phoenix Reinforcing is one of the longest operating family-owned-and-operated businesses on the Sunshine Coast. We specialise in decorative concrete products, building products, and reinforcing productions and cage fabrication in Queensland. Contact us today to request a delivery service of our steel fabrication products.

medeek said:

1.) Best placement of the mesh in the slab, centered, 2 in. from top, or stomped on by construction workers until it is in the bottom.

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If it's a residential, 4" slab I put the mesh at mid-depth. If you're going to dodge the saw-cuts and get a modicum of cover, putting it in the upper third as some recommend is pretty tough. As I see it, the placement comes down to two issues as far as cracking goes. Firstly, the reinforcement helps with axial strains and cracking across the slab. For this purpose, position isn't all that important and mid-depth makes sense. Secondly, the reinforcement helps with flexural strain and cracking at the top of the slab where local hard spots may result in hogging moments. I say to heck with latter. In a 4" slab with saw-cuts, I doubt you'll ever get the reinforcing high enough in the section to be effective flexural reinforcement.

medeek said:

2.) Should the mesh size extend to the perimeter of the slab? Ground clearance from edge and from bottom? If its a 4" slab isn't the 3" rule for reinforcement violated?

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I'd extend it to the perimeter or at least the last saw-cut joint if there is one near the perimeter. Cover is routinely violated in thin slabs on grade, both on the ground side and below the saw-cut joints. That's what's done and, at least for common interior applications, reinforcement rusting doesn't seem to come to pass or cause any problems. Slab on grade is, technically, not structural concrete.

medeek said:

3.) Most typical mesh size I've seen is 6x6-W2.9xW2.9 but I've also seen 6x6-W1.4xW1.4, any thoughts on what mesh size is best for a typical 4" and 6" slab (residential work).

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I've been using W1.4 for thing residential slabs. Frankly, I consider the reinforcing in these slabs to pretty much just be nominal rather than seriously purposeful. Where I'm doing non-calculated token detailing, I lean towards light.

medeek said:

4.) I've seen dobie blocks and wire chairs used to keep up slab bars, what should be used for mesh? Won't the workers step on the mesh and bend it out of shape or push it to the bottom?

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medeek said:

5.) #3 Bar, Mesh, or Fiber? What do you use and why?

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I like bars, fibers, or nothing from a performance/QC perspective as long as jointing is done properly. In my area it's almost always wire mesh because that's what contractors continue to prefer and expect.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

My opinion, presently:If it's a residential, 4" slab I put the mesh at mid-depth. If you're going to dodge the saw-cuts and get a modicum of cover, putting it in the upper third as some recommend is pretty tough. As I see it, the placement comes down to two issues as far as cracking goes. Firstly, the reinforcement helps with axial strains and cracking across the slab. For this purpose, position isn't all that important and mid-depth makes sense. Secondly, the reinforcement helps with flexural strain and cracking at the top of the slab where local hard spots may result in hogging moments. I say to heck with latter. In a 4" slab with saw-cuts, I doubt you'll ever get the reinforcing high enough in the section to be effective flexural reinforcement.I'd extend it to the perimeter or at least the last saw-cut joint if there is one near the perimeter. Cover is routinely violated in thin slabs on grade, both on the ground side and below the saw-cut joints. That's what's done and, at least for common interior applications, reinforcement rusting doesn't seem to come to pass or cause any problems. Slab on grade is, technically, not structural concrete.I've been using W1.4 for thing residential slabs. Frankly, I consider the reinforcing in these slabs to pretty much just be nominal rather than seriously purposeful. Where I'm doing non-calculated token detailing, I lean towards light. This . And yeah, it's a perpetual QC problem that routinely causes engineers to doubt the use of WWF for anything important.I like bars, fibers, or nothing from a performance/QC perspective as long as jointing is done properly. In my area it's almost always wire mesh because that's what contractors continue to prefer and expect.I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

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