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There are two options available when it comes to reinforcing concrete in order to avoid cracking and breakage. The options are Wire mesh reinforcement and also fibre mesh reinforced concrete, and you may be wondering what the difference is between the two and what when it is appropriate to use either of them &#; that is why we have outlined them in this blog for you.
You may be familiar with seeing wire mesh used on construction sites and have wondered why they are used. The area in which the concrete is to be laid down should be covered in mesh before pouring commences. As the ready-mix concrete is poured, the wire mesh should be lifted up so that it&#;s positioned in the middle of the concrete in order to provide steel reinforcement. This particular type of reinforcement resembles a two-dimensional grid, which plays an important role in its support capabilities. Which ultimately makes the ready mix concrete even stronger and less prone to cracking. Cracking in concrete can be caused due to changes in temperature or unevenly distributed weight on the concrete.
Infrastructures that utilise mesh-reinforced products can be as much as 20% faster than projects that specify standard rebar reinforcement. Using welded wire reinforcement makes the placing or assembly processes easier and thereby contributes to a safer workplace.
Fibre mesh is made up of fibrous materials like synthetic fibres, glass fibres, natural fibres, and steel fibres- these fibres are then evenly distributed throughout the concrete within the fibre mesh reinforced concrete mixing process. At Al Manaratain our ready-mix division has two fully computerised concrete batching plants with enough transit mixers and concrete pumps in different lengths to meet our customers&#; requirements. The production is properly monitored and controlled to comply with the international standards and ministry specifications in respect of quality and quantity.
Once the fibre mix concrete is ready, it is typically used in sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Rather than being laid down prior to the concrete pour, this type of mesh is distributed evenly throughout the wet concrete. Fibre mesh is used to reduce water loss from the concrete as well as enhance its structural strength. This type of mesh is also used to create a higher impact resistance in the concrete, prevent thawing, and increase its strength. Unlike wire mesh, this particular type of reinforcement provides more than just a single layer of support&#;it reinforces concrete throughout its entire surface as the fibre mesh is distributed evenly across all of the concrete.
When selecting which type of mesh to use, you will need to take both the time frame, cost and product into account. Because constructing a driveway, sidewalk, or patio can be quite difficult for residents to manoeuvre around, you&#;ll want to make sure that the project is completed as soon as possible, whilst also ensuring that it is time and cost-effective for your business. Using wire mesh is typically a longer process than using fibre mesh, because it requires time to overlap and must be laid twice. However, you should consider that Fiber mesh is also more cost-effective since there is less time involved in pouring and the material is used more efficiently. There has been concern among some contractors that the fibre mesh method can create a &#;hairy&#; finish due to some of the fibres protruding from the surface.
It is important to take each and every one of your projects as individuals and make decisions based on what is best for your client and also your business.
The construction industry has been particularly impacted, as the global market bounced back from the pandemic faster than expected, existing projects restarted and new ones began. This has certainly helped our economies to recover faster but has presented challenges.
In particular, many are viewing the ever-increasing price of steel with concern. Statistics compiled by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show that the cost of concrete-reinforcing bars has risen by 43.6 per cent year on year, while the price of fabricated structural steel has jumped by 35.9 per cent.
What can contractors who usually rely on steel to reinforce concrete do?
Fibres offer the ideal alternative for those who need to lay a durable concrete that provides resistance to cracking but want to minimise their use of steel. There are two types of fibre:
Micro fibres: CEMEX recommends micro fibres for domestic applications, such as paving, foundations, driveways and garage floors, although they are not exclusively used here. These reduce the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking, provide a tougher surface and make concrete more durable
Macro fibres: CEMEX recommends macro fibres for larger, commercial applications, including internal floors, warehousing, docklands, roads and bridges, airports and taxiways, although again they are not exclusively used here. Macro fibres can offer increased flexural strength, provide post-crack performance plus greater impact and abrasion resistance.
Fibres can be particularly impactful when considering the amount of steel that would generally be required for these applications. Using a concrete reinforced with fibres rather than steel mesh offers a host of benefits:
Saves money: can show an overall cost saving per square metre compared to concrete placed with traditional steel mesh reinforcement, plus reduced storage/labour time
For more information, please visit Easy Forming Concrete Reinforcing Mesh.
Reduced construction time: Removes the time needed to place the mesh
No steel waste: no need for cutting and placing of steel
Reduced storage: No storage of steel mesh on site
Minimal handling: No cutting, placement and fixing of traditional mesh required. Can be placed using standard techniques, with no specialist equipment needed
Faster to place: Concrete and fibre reinforcement is placed in a single operation
Cost comparisons between our Advanced fibre reinforced concrete range and traditional steel mesh solutions show savings can be achieved when using our Advanced range of fibre reinforced concretes.
How can I find out more about fibre reinforced concrete?
If you think using a fibre concrete mix could help with your next construction project, look no further than our high-performance range; Advanced. Products in this pioneering range feature micro and macro-synthetic fibres, with options for flooring, paving, beam & block, decking and design depending on the type of fibre used.
To find out more about our Advanced range, visit here: www.cemex.co.uk/advanced
Contact: Call 667 827 or to discuss your project with one of our expert team.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Steel Welded Mesh For Construction. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.