How Rebar Fabrication Supports Stronger, Safer Concrete Structures
Morgans Welding
Rebar ensures concrete structures have the tensile strength they need to withstand deformation without failing. Learn more in this article.
Rebar ensures concrete structures have the tensile strength they need to withstand deformation without failing. Learn more in this article.
Concrete is an incredibly durable material capable of resisting compression forces, but the problem is that it’s relatively weak when subjected to any tension. This specific weakness is why concrete structures rely on rebar.
Rebar helps create reinforced concrete, which combines concrete’s exceptional compressive strength with steel’s impressive tensile strength, providing the following benefits:
Concrete structures will inevitably experience bending, stretching, and other forces that create tension. Rebar is embedded within the concrete to handle these loads. Without rebar in the tension zone, the concrete would crack and potentially collapse under relatively light loads.
As concrete cures and experiences temperature changes, shrinkage can occur. Rebar helps distribute these stresses more evenly throughout the structure, and this distribution helps minimize shrinkage cracking.
When concrete cracks, it loses most of its tensile strength in the cracked area. With rebar, tensile strength is maintained (post-cracking strength), so the structure can continue to carry significant loads, even after initial cracking.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other extreme events, as well as nearby construction or demolitions, could cause impact or vibration damage in concrete. However, if reinforced, the rebar absorbs and dissipates energy through controlled yielding and deformation. While the reinforced concrete may still fail in extreme cases, the rebar can still undergo permanent bending and provide enough warning signs of failure, unlike unreinforced concrete.
Modern construction isn’t possible without rebar. Without proper reinforcement, concrete couldn’t achieve the spans and heights we see today.
Morgan’s Welding continues to support the construction industry by designing and fabricating custom rebar products, including stirrups, loops, hooks, and straight cuts. Visit our website to learn more about our capabilities.