A versatile and indispensable material in contemporary construction is reinforced concrete. It creates robust and long-lasting structures by fusing the flexibility of steel with the strength of concrete. You can better appreciate the unique uses and advantages of reinforced concrete structures in a variety of construction projects by being aware of the different types of these structures.
The reinforced concrete beam is a typical type that is used to span distances and support loads. In buildings, bridges, and other structures that need strength and stability, beams are essential. They frequently have strong loads handling and shear and bending force resistance built in.
A column made of reinforced concrete is another important kind. The vertical supports known as columns shift the weight from beams and slabs to the foundation. They are crucial for preserving a building’s structural integrity, particularly in high-rise structures where they support a lot of weight.
Slabs of reinforced concrete are level surfaces that are used for ceilings and floors. They serve as a strong foundation for other building components and are made to hold both live and dead loads, such as people and furniture, as well as the weight of the structure itself.
Lastly, there are structural and non-structural uses for reinforced concrete walls. They add to a building’s overall stability and safety by offering support and enclosure. These walls are essential to a functional structure whether they are used as load-bearing components, basement partitions, or other applications.
| Reinforced Concrete Beams | Horizontal structures that support loads and transfer them to columns or walls. |
| Reinforced Concrete Columns | Vertical elements designed to carry loads from beams and slabs down to the foundation. |
| Reinforced Concrete Slabs | Flat, horizontal surfaces that provide floors and ceilings, transferring loads to beams or columns. |
| Reinforced Concrete Walls | Vertical structures that support floors and roofs, also providing shear resistance against lateral forces. |
| Reinforced Concrete Frames | Assemblies of beams and columns that form a skeletal structure to support the entire building. |
| Reinforced Concrete Foundations | Base structures that distribute the weight of the building evenly to the ground. |
Because of their strength and adaptability, reinforced concrete structures are vital to modern building. The primary forms are foundations, slabs, columns, and beams; each has a distinct function in distributing and supporting loads inside a structure. Slabs supply floor surfaces, foundations secure the structure to the earth, beams manage horizontal forces, and columns support vertical loads. Knowing these kinds aids in selecting the best design for a range of building requirements, guaranteeing stability and longevity.
Features of structures
The construction of residential, commercial, and engineering buildings has all made use of reinforced concrete structures. Although prefabricated and monolithic options exist, assembly reinforced concrete is the most widely used type. High-quality concrete solutions and reinforcement with high strengths are used in reinforced concrete structures to get the product of the smallest mass, as far as technology permits, to save labor and material costs.
The primary applications for reinforced concrete products are in construction, where the temperature range is between fifty and seventy degrees Celsius. When building the following facilities, steel or stone is more frequently utilized in reinforced concrete structures:
- airfields;
- nuclear reactors;
- bunker;
- high chimneys;
- various massive structures;
- warehouse buildings;
- roads;
- foundations;
- marine structures;
- factory buildings.
The following benefits are associated with reinforced concrete structures:
- strength, which only increases over time;
- durability;
- resistance to fire;
- relatively affordable price;
- the possibility of self-production;
- resistance to seismic activity;
- the ability of reinforced concrete to take various architectural forms.
The drawbacks consist of:
- cracking;
- heavy weight;
- additional insulation required;
- thermal conductivity.
Main types of structures
Depending on the manufacturing type, there are:
- Prefabricated. Are very popular due to the maximum mechanized construction.
- Monolithic. Used in the construction of monolithic structures, for example, hydraulic structures, heavy foundations.
- Prefabricated-monolithic. Precast monolithic elements are connected both with concrete and welding.
According to use, there are:
- for residential buildings;
- for industrial buildings;
- for public buildings and structures.
Products made of reinforced concrete can be prestressed or unstressed. The most widely used products made of reinforced concrete in construction are:
- panels;
- foundations;
- beams;
- floor slabs.
Panels
Panels are a typical form of reinforced concrete structure that is employed in the construction of commercial and residential buildings. The panel is rectangular in shape and is flat. It can have projections for window sills and openings for doors and windows.
Panels are installed vertically and at a ten-degree angle for transportation. Pads are placed between panels in order to prevent contact when transporting multiple panels at once.
Farms
Both commercial and cultural structures use reinforced concrete trusses for their ceilings. They resemble a rectangular, flat structure covered in gratings. Products are transported by being positioned vertically.
High levels of strength, stiffness, fire resistance, and frost resistance are characteristics of reinforced concrete trusses. Aggloporite and expanded clay concrete are the primary types of heavy, light, and structural concrete used to make the products. You should install a reinforced concrete truss carefully when using one. Make sure you compute the building’s load-bearing capacity precisely. Verify the components’ quality, dimensions, and support location preparation.
Beams and crossbars
Beams and crossbars are used in the construction of foundations and roofs; they act as load-bearing elements for the installation of crane mechanisms. Beams are produced single-pitched, double-pitched or rectangular. During transportation of the beam, the crossbars are installed vertically in the vehicle. To support the beams and crossbars, use pads installed under the lower plane of the products. Depending on the length of the structure, the distance between the pads is determined. Beams and crossbars are fastened along their entire height on the side. Beams are only allowed to be transported in a vertical position; horizontal transportation is prohibited, since there is a risk of destruction of the products. When transporting several elements at the same time, separators more than ten centimeters thick are laid between them.
Piles
Both residential and commercial buildings’ foundations are made of piles made of reinforced concrete. On unstable soils, structures are built using piles. Piles are placed horizontally during transportation to make sure they rest on designated pads. When being transported in tiers, piles can be placed on a vehicle.
Reinforced concrete piles are frost- and chemical-resistant, waterproof, and highly resistant to corrosion. With the right tools, piles can be quickly and easily installed, giving the building it is building strength, durability, and dependability.
Pillars
Lights and power lines are supported by reinforced concrete pillars, also known as power line pillars. In order to guarantee a horizontal position, it is permissible to transport pillars as a group during transportation. A special lining should be prepared to support the pillars during transportation.
The ability of reinforced concrete pillars to consistently support electrical wires at the necessary distance from the ground or water’s surface is their primary function. A reinforcement frame and a unique kind of concrete mortar are used in the product design to achieve the strength and reliability of the pillars. The purpose and design of each individual power line pillar varies. Reinforced concrete is used to create anchor, corner, intermediate, and end supports. Additionally, single- and multi-chain products are produced.
Columns
A load-bearing component of domestic, commercial, cultural, and residential structures is a reinforced concrete column. The double-branched, rectangular design of the columns is intended to support large crane loads. The components are carried in a stack, with the first column row resting on the vehicle’s cargo area and the subsequent rows, protected by special pads, resting on top of the preceding row.
Volumetric blocks
Volumetric blocks made of reinforced concrete have been used in the construction of both public and private structures. With their hollow, thin-walled rectangular prism and door and window openings, they are nearly completed building elements.
Panels for volumetric blocks can be both heat- and insulating-resistant. Bulk blocks are placed in a vertical orientation for transportation, with the cargo platform’s four corners providing support for the components. Reinforced concrete volumetric blocks are susceptible to dynamic overloads that happen during transit. The center of gravity of these reinforced concrete building products can be moved in both transverse and longitudinal directions from the geometric center. On the cargo platform, special stop ledges are installed to prevent block displacement during transportation.
Sanitary and technical cabins
Both public and residential buildings are constructed using sanitary and technical cabins. Large mass and dimension volumetric elements serve as their representation. Elevator shafts and sanitary and technical cabins may be transported in a vertical position supported by two gaskets on the cargo platform. Elevator shafts up to 140 centimeters in height can be transported in two tiers according to height, with wooden pads placed in between rows higher than 10 centimeters.
There are many different types of reinforced concrete structures, each designed to address unique requirements and construction-related difficulties. Each type is essential to maintaining the stability and longevity of infrastructure and buildings, from the strength of reinforced beams and columns to the adaptability of slabs and foundations.
Selecting the best option for any project is made easier by being aware of the various types of reinforced concrete structures. Beams are essential to most constructions because they are made to withstand bending and support loads. Conversely, loads are transferred from above to the foundation by columns. Whether they are solid or ribbed, slabs are essential for building floors and ceilings because they offer horizontal support.
Every kind of structure has advantages and uses that are specific to it. You can improve the performance and longevity of your construction projects by making well-informed decisions based on your understanding of their attributes and suitable applications. Because it can combine strength and flexibility, reinforced concrete is still a dependable and versatile option.
