Reinforcing steel, commonly referred to as rebar and mesh , is a type of steel material used in Australian commercial construction projects to provide additional strength to concrete structures . It is made from a raw material called iron ore and is designed to improve the innate tension and structural strength of concrete

Types of Reinforcing Steel

Reinforcing steel can take the form of:

•  Rebars (reinforcing bars): designated in terms of the number of bars and the diameter of each bar
•  Reo Mesh (reinforcing mesh): a welded grid made from steel wires or other materials, designed to strengthen and support concrete structures

Use in Australian Commercial Construction Projects

Reinforcing steel is a critical component in various Australian commercial construction projects, including:

•  Commercial buildings
•  Bridges
•  Civil structures
•  House slabs
•  Patios
•  Extensions
•  Driveways
•  Footpaths

Standards and Regulations

All reinforcing steel used in Australian commercial construction projects must comply with Australian Standards . The Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard for reinforcing and prestressing materials provides guidelines for the use of reinforcing steel in construction projects .

Importance of Proper Installation

To ensure the effectiveness of reinforcing steel, it is essential to:

•  Firmly fix the reinforcement in place to prevent movement during concreting operations
•  Support the reinforcement off the ground or the formwork
•  Ensure sufficient concrete cover to protect the reinforcement from corrosion