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 behavior, 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, recognizing that each piece of steel it provides to its customers, is mission critical in terms of durability and performance.

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]