In construction texts, the term "reinforcement" is often found. The word is foreign, and the semantic content can cause confusion among people who are little familiar with the specifics of its application.
Rebar in construction
The industry concept "reinforcement" can be divided into two large groups of meanings - structural and technological.
The first is used in the manufacture of building structures. Reinforced concrete differs from simple monolith by the use of load-bearing bars, meshes or cages.
Fittings installed on pipelines distribute and regulate fluid flows in water supply and sewerage networks. Unites these concepts functional purpose. Armature is what makes up the working part of the overall system.
Structural reinforcement
Concrete structures are the main type of building products. Concrete is sometimes called artificial stone. It has excellent resistance to compression, but breaks relatively easily when stretched and flexed. This drawback is eliminated by reinforcing the concrete mass with materialscapable of absorbing tensile loads without loss of strength. The progressive development of the building materials industry has expanded the range of fittings offered. In addition to traditional steel, it includes products made of polymers, which is composite reinforcement. The advent of new materials makes it possible to better take into account the operational characteristics of products.
Structural Rebar Standards
The use of materials and products for the construction of buildings and structures is strictly regulated. Safe operation requires compliance with standards developed by leading experts and approved at the legislative level. Steel reinforcement must comply with GOST 10884-94, which regulates the physical and technical parameters of the material. Composite meets the requirements of GOST 31938-2012. Steel rebar entering the market, as a rule, meets the technical requirements, since it has an established production base and technological culture. Unfortunately, elements made of polymeric materials can have a significant variation in consumer properties, which requires careful attention to purchased products. At the same time, preference should be given to enterprises that provide full characteristics for them.
Steel reinforcement
Steel from which reinforcement is made (GOST 10884-94) can be carbon and low-alloy. To improve adhesion with the body of concrete, the rods can have a periodic profile, the parameters of which are also specified in the state standard. This kindreinforcement is the most common and well studied. Steel rebar is a traditional type of reinforcement material. Concrete reinforced with steel bars, frames and meshes is called reinforced concrete. Almost all building structures are made from it, from foundation to floor panels and load-bearing elements of building frames. Factories produce a large range of reinforced concrete structures for various purposes. Today, monolithic construction is becoming increasingly popular, in which most of the building elements are made in the design position by pouring concrete into installed formwork with a laid reinforcing cage. If in the prefabrication of elements the main method of fastening the rods is welding, then in the production on site, reinforcement is usually knitted with wire. In addition to reinforcement of a periodic profile, smooth rods are also used. Their adhesion strength to concrete or mortar is significantly lower, but in some cases the use of smooth-rolled reinforcement is justified.
Composite rebar for concrete
Modern construction is evolving towards greater architectural expression and lower costs. Polymer reinforcement allows you to do this most efficiently. An important advantage of polymers in comparison with metal is significantly lower weight and resistance to corrosion. These include bas alt, carbon fiber, fiberglass reinforcement.
The strength characteristics of polymer reinforcement are usuallyexceed the capabilities of steel. Like steel, composite reinforcement can be of a periodic and constant profile. However, its work under load has its own characteristics. Unlike steel, fiberglass reinforcement does not flow, and when the maximum allowable load is reached, the element is instantly destroyed.
Steel vs composite: which one to choose?
The nature of the work of reinforced concrete suggests the possibility of exposure to moisture on the reinforcement during the opening of cracks in products working in bending and tension. Naturally, this increases the risk of strength loss and reduces the service life of structures. When concreting or bricklaying in winter, the steel is exposed to the aggressive action of frost-resistant additives, which also creates the possibility of a decrease in performance. Polymeric materials make it possible to avoid the negative impact of corrosion on the bearing elements of buildings and structures. Synthetic reinforcement provides this. However, composites have the worst fire resistance performance, losing strength faster when heated. The lighter weight of composite reinforcement is an attractive property for individual and low-rise construction, which, as a rule, is not provided with lifting mechanisms. The reduction in transport and site travel costs can be significant.
Pipe fittings
The range of application of fittings on pipelines is very extensive. It is used everywhere, from small-diameter networks in the private sector to massive industrial products.destination. Pipe fittings in distribution networks must meet high requirements for safety and trouble-free operation. These network elements, which combine conflicting requirements, can be very complex configurations. For example, shut-off valves must withstand hydrodynamic shock, which reaches significant values for large pipe diameters. Therefore, non-ferrous metals, such as copper and bronze, are usually considered the most suitable material, allowing the manufacture of milled and cast products of varying complexity. However, they have a high cost and low strength. Therefore, steel, cast iron and polymers are used as materials from which fittings are made. The manufacturer guarantees the performance parameters of the products, which allows you to make an informed choice of one or another material.
Polymers in plumbing networks
The spread of plastic pipes gave impetus to fittings made of plastic or with a significant amount of plastic components. They are most popular in public utilities and the private sector. The undeniable advantage that such fittings have is less weight and the absence of corrosion of pipes and network elements. Pipes made of polymeric materials can be of almost unlimited length, in contrast to standard metal sizes. They are quite easy to connect to each other in various ways.
Welding of polymers is less time-consuming and fireproof compared tometal welding. In addition to the absence of corrosion, polymer pipes and fittings are not subject to the accumulation of precipitation in plumbing and heating networks, which can lead to overgrowth of the internal space and a decrease in the effective diameter. Shut-off valves, distribution and other, are installed on pipelines using the methods used in the installation of pipe joints.
