Mesh for reinforcing concrete: types, characteristics, application

Making sure the concrete is strong and long-lasting is essential when working with it. Reinforcing mesh is one practical way to accomplish this. By strengthening the concrete’s structural integrity, this mesh helps to increase its resistance to cracks and other damages.

There are numerous varieties of reinforcing mesh available, and each has special qualities that make it appropriate for a particular purpose in construction. You can choose wisely for your projects if you are aware of these kinds and their particular uses.

The various types of reinforcing mesh, their salient characteristics, and their usual applications in concrete construction will all be covered in this article. Understanding reinforcing mesh will help you make your concrete structures last longer and be of higher quality, regardless of how big or small your project is.

General information

When the mixtures are hardening, as well as when the products are being transported, temperature changes, and other mechanical loads are occurring, the reinforcing mesh for concrete acts to absorb the resulting deformations (tension, compression, bending, shrinkage, etc. D.). When reinforcing concrete, a metal grid must consistently make contact with the concrete stone and adhere to all GOST 23279-2012 requirements when working under load.

Classification, types and main dimensions of products

Depending on the diameter of the rods and how they are arranged spatially, products meant to reinforce concrete can fall into one of the following categories:

1. By diameter:

• heavy — rods Ø>12 mm;
• light — Ø 3–10 mm.

1. By design:

• working reinforcement is located in one direction, distribution — in the opposite direction;
• working rods are distributed in both directions.

These qualities allow flat frames to be produced in a variety of ways:

1. Heavy – working rods are located along the central axis; the diameter of the distribution rods is less than the diameter of the working.
2. Heavy – basic reinforcement in two directions.
3. Heavy – working reinforcement is located across the main axis; Its diameter is larger than the diameter of the distribution.

1. Light – reinforcement is evenly dispersed over the entire width.
2. Light – reinforcing rods are located with a displacement.

The following type of steel is utilized to make reinforcing nets:

• hot-rolled reinforcement, working-class A-II-A-III, distribution (mounting)-class A-I (flat heavy and lungs);
• Reinforced wire Ø 3-7 mm, class BP-I and B-I, B-II (flat and rolled).

Hipples: B-I wire is intended to create unstable reinforcement, whereas B-II wire is exclusively meant for structures utilized in the production of preliminary tense parts.

Requirements for reinforcing products

Each and every reinforcement product used to fortify concrete structures needs to be produced and applied in compliance with GOST 23279-2012 standards.

Guidelines and fundamental rules found in regulatory documents that must be adhered to when producing and using metal mesh:

1. In heavy structures, working rods should be made of reinforcing steel classes A400, A600C (A-III), Ø 10–40 mm.
2. In some cases, with an appropriate feasibility study, the use of hot-rolled steel A240 (A-I) as working rods is allowed.
3. Distribution fittings in heavy flat frames of type 1 must be made of reinforcing steel A-400 (A-III), A500C and B500C, Ø 6–16 mm.
4. Lightweight structures, type 4–5, are made of steel grade B500C, Ø 4–5 mm; reinforcing wire VR-I, Ø 3–5 mm; reinforcing steel A-III and A-I, Ø 6–10 mm.
5. As distribution rods, it is necessary to use reinforcement made of steel class B500C, Ø 4-5 mm or wire class B-l, Ø 3-5 mm.
6. Cruciform intersections of rods should be fixed with spot welding (GOST 14098).

1. In products where smooth rods made of A-I steel are used as working reinforcement, all intersection points must be welded.
2. In frames with periodic section reinforcement (wire or rod), it is allowed to weld in a staggered pattern, through one or two intersections, provided that there are no additional instructions in the project.
3. Cruciform mesh connections must not break when flat frames are dropped from a height of 1 m.
4. All reinforcement rods in any direction must be even, without visible deformations. The deviation from straightness should not exceed 6 mm per 1 m of rod length.
5. All deviations (bar pitch, width, diagonals, etc.), checked visually using a metal ruler or tape measure with a steel tape (GOST 7502-98).

Assortment and delivery

Standard products have a length of up to 9 meters and a width of 0.3 to 1.5 meters made of cold-drawn wire or hot-rolled reinforcing steel.

Depending on the project, there are two ways to supply reinforcement to the facility where reinforced concrete structures are manufactured:

• in rolls, for nets Ø
• flat cards, for products Ø> 8 mm.

A woven mesh with cells measuring between 5 and 20 mm and a wire diameter of 0.7 mm can be used to build thin-walled structures.

Complete rolls of soft reinforcement weighing between 100 and 150 kg are provided. The roll’s diameter shouldn’t be larger than 500 mm.

Flat reinforcing cards come in packages, with the quantity of pieces within varying based on the size of the order and the client’s specifications.

Products are given the following names based on the type of material and design: xc is equal to (d/d1)*b*l.

• x – type (1–5);
• C – welded, index “P” – roll;
• BP – welded from cold -rolled wire, "p" – corrugated;
• d and d1 — diameter of the rods (longitudinal and transverse, respectively);
• b and l — length and width of the web in cm.

Composite plastic is a good substitute for metal mesh in terms of cost-quality (GOST 31938-2012). We will use synthetic meshes made with "BASIS" technology as an example to discuss the features and benefits of composite reinforcement.

This product has the following benefits over metal when compared to traditional steel reinforcement and can be used successfully for reinforcing structures:

• the weight of an equivalent segment is 9 times less than that of a similar one made of metal;
• 25% cheaper;
• tensile strength is 3 times higher;
• high corrosion resistance;
• low thermal conductivity.

Cards measuring 2.2 m wide by up to 6.0 m long are used to produce "BASIS" mesh. Similar to metal products, the sections are joined together with soft wire (Ø 1.5–2.0 mm).

Calculation of concrete composition

Reinforcement of structures

When installing a monolithic floor by hand, this type of concrete reinforcement is most frequently carried out in individual construction. In this instance, the concrete screed reinforcement mesh can be manufactured independently by tying the reinforcement bars with steel knitting wire (see the video in this article) or it can be used as one of the factory-made varieties mentioned above.

Work process:

1. Clear the room from debris.
2. If the mesh is in a roll, then cut pieces of the sizes needed for reinforcement.
3. If the mesh was supplied in factory-made cards (metal or plastic composite), then lay out the sections and tie the joints with wire or plastic clamps.

1. In case of making meshes manually, it is necessary to get a hook and knitting wire; cut the reinforcement and tie frames of the required size from it. Next see. p. 3.
2. For better contact of concrete with the reinforcement frame, we do not place the frame on the base, but install it on special “chairs” (see. photo).

1. After completing all the above-described work, we proceed to the preparation and laying of the concrete mixture.

Specialized reinforcement and welding plants produce a wide variety of mesh for reinforcing concrete screeds; in the case of plastic composites, these specialized enterprises supply the retail network. The kind of monolithic structure and the necessary coating performance attributes must be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate reinforcement.

Type of Mesh	Characteristics and Application
Welded Wire Mesh	Strong and durable, used for slabs, walls, and pavements
Woven Wire Mesh	Flexible and adaptable, ideal for irregular shapes and repairs
Expanded Metal Mesh	Lightweight yet sturdy, commonly used for thin concrete layers and plaster
Plastic Mesh	Corrosion-resistant, suitable for use in areas exposed to moisture

For concrete structures to be strengthened and given more stability and durability, reinforcing mesh is necessary. There are several varieties of it, such as fiberglass mesh, expanded metal mesh, and welded wire mesh, each with special qualities and uses.

Selecting the appropriate mesh type is dependent upon the particular needs of your project. Expanded metal mesh is adaptable and simple to install, but welded wire mesh is frequently utilized due to its exceptional strength. For environments where corrosion resistance is essential, fiberglass mesh is ideal.

The lifespan of concrete structures can be considerably increased by applying reinforcing mesh properly. Reinforcing mesh helps keep your construction’s integrity over time by ensuring an even distribution of loads and reducing cracks.

Making educated decisions for the best outcomes can be facilitated by knowing the various types of reinforcing mesh and their advantages, whether you’re working on a small DIY project or a large-scale construction.

Enhancing the strength and longevity of concrete structures requires the use of mesh for reinforcing concrete. There are several types of mesh available, including fiberglass, expanded metal, and welded wire mesh, each with special qualities and advantages suited for particular uses. These types of mesh guarantee better performance and longer project lifespans.

Video on the topic

The best mesh for reinforcing screeds and plaster.

How to choose the right welded masonry mesh in cards

Composite mesh for reinforcing concrete in Leroy Merlin #shorts