A
steel bar, also known as rebar, are used to reinforce and provide additional
strength to concrete structures or other types of construction materials. Steel
bar is used to add additional stiffening and durability to prevent concrete
structures from cracking or shearing. A
steel bar added to a concrete structure helps it to absorb stresses from
structural tension and vibrations, and prevents it from weakening because of
cracks. A steel bar also distributes the tension and stresses associated with
the expansion and contraction of concrete that can cause a weakening in an
entire structure because of fluctuating temperatures.
A
steel bar allows concrete structures to can last for a very long time. While
concrete has a very high resistance to compression and the tensile strength of
steel is very good, combining the two produces very strong concrete structures
that can withstand constant stresses throughout its working life. Steel bar and
concrete when combined allow the concrete to withstand tension that can lead to
cracks and weakening of the structure. Complete embedding of a steel bar in
concrete is a must to prevent contact with water and moisture that can rust and
weaken a steel bar which can weaken the concrete. There are also epoxy-coated
steel bars that protect it from rusting and weakening a concrete structure.
A
steel bar incorporated into concrete allows structures to resist the high
tensile and shear forces which may occur throughout its useful life. Steel bar
reinforcement carries the tensile and compressive stresses in a concrete
structure to eliminate or control structural cracks that may form. Steel bar,
because of its chief strength, is an indispensable part of any construction
project.
The
strength of a steel bar in tension and compression makes it much stronger than
the concrete itself, giving exceptional strength to concrete structures. A
combination of concrete and steel is called reinforced concrete. Steel bars are
strong in tension but ductile enough to flex, the very flexibility and the
bendability properties of steel bars allow concrete structures to withstand
abnormal loads easily.
To
compensate for the relative weakness of concrete under tension, reinforcement
steel bars are used to carry the tensile loads on a concrete structure. It is
recognized that concrete has low tensile strength and can easily crack of
fracture under tension, hence the reason for using steel bars for the high
tension resistance properties it can impart into any concrete structure.
The
primary aim of adding a steel bar to concrete is to guarantee a concrete
structure’s long-term strength and durability. Steel bars allow concrete
structures to resist high compression stresses. Steel bar reinforcement gives
any concrete structure flexibility, stability, and durability. When steel bar
and concrete are joined, a stronger structure can be constructed that can
withstand continuous adverse induced forces in its entire useful life.
Steel
bar reinforcement more than offset its drawbacks of rusting and corroding because
of the long-term strength and durability that it can impart on a concrete
structure. Steel bar reinforcement is long-lasting and combined with concrete
it does not easily lose strength over time allowing concrete structures worry-free,
long useful lifespans.
