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The Strength of Concrete
Structures Depends on Rebar

Rebar (short for reinforcing bar), is a steel Rod used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures, to strengthen and hold the concrete in tension. Rebar's surface is often patterned to form a better bond with the concrete.

Concrete is a material that is very strong in compression, but relatively weak in tension. To compensate for this imbalance
in concrete's behaviour, rebar is cast into it to carry the tensile loads.

Masonry structures and the mortar holding them together have similar properties to concrete and also have a limited ability to carry tensile loads. Some standard masonry units like blocks and bricks are made with voids to accommodate rebar, which is then secured in place with grout. 
This combination is known as reinforced masonry.

While any material with sufficient tensile strength could potentially be used to reinforce concrete, steel 
and concrete have similar properties of thermal expansion:
a concrete structural member reinforced with steel will experience minimal stress, as a result of similar expansions
of the two interconnected materials caused by temperature changes.

The Steel that
holds Concrete Together

In 1901 the American inventor John C. Perry, patented the method for welding wire mesh, often known as ‘fabric’. Initially, this was used to reinforce roads and pavements and later served as reinforcement to concrete floors and walls of buildings made out of concrete.

A classic example of the strength and longevity of welded mesh are the 102 floors of the Empire State Building, built in 1930. 

These are reinforced with wire mesh and, although the skyscraper is eighty-seven years old and has undergone many renovations, the original reinforced concrete floors still remain unchanged.

As a manufacturer, ECMIL applies and maintains international standards on all of its products, recognising that each piece of steel it provides to its customers, is mission critical in terms of durability and performance.

The combination of these quality products, in concert with quality design, create structures able to resist evolving Caribbean weather patterns.  The world steel market provides many variations of quality.  This, in turn can affect strength, resistance and durability.

ECMIL utilises only best quality materials, tested to surpass international standards.

We offer these quality materials in the following specifications:

Mild & High Tensile Steel Rebars

Mild Steel Rods
1/4" [6mm], 3/8" [10mm], 1/2" [12mm], 5/8" [16mm]
Corrugated Steel Rebar
3/8" [10mm], 1/2" [12mm], 5/8" [16mm] 
3/4" [19mm], 1" [25mm]

All at 19'6" [6m] lengths

Welded Mesh

Specification A98: 16' x 8.5' x 6" square [5mm]
Specification A142: 16' x 8.5' x 6" square [6mm]
Specification A193: 16' x 8.5' x 6" square [7mm]

From Rebar and welded mesh, to barbed wire, chain link fencing, water tanks, wheelbarrows and nails, purchasing from a manufacturer and consolidating your shipping, will result in significant savings against standard retail purchases.

And by making prudent arrangements regarding the shipping container, your material security and product availability will save on your production time.

NB. This article is for general information purposes only and is meant as an incentive to the reader, who should then research and seek advice from their architectural and construction professionals to confirm that the ideas expressed are possible within the building codes of their territory or within the limitations of their home's architecture. ECMIL only recommends their own products and third party products which they supply, as part of their company's roofing solutions to customers.