The construction industry has a vast array of materials used in a wide variety of activities. Whether in the foundation phase, structural construction, or finishing stages, some materials are crucial to the final quality of a building.
One of these items is rebar, which is essential for the use of reinforced concrete. However, there are major differences between the types of rebar found on the market, such as those with a smooth and ribbed surface.
If you are a supplier, knowing the difference between input types is essential for your business. It's the key to ensuring the right investment and customer satisfaction.
Is this topic relevant to your business? Then keep reading to find out what rebar is and, therefore, serve your customers well, becoming a top-notch supplier!
Rebars are steel bars used to produce reinforced concrete, a common structure for many applications. Reinforced concrete can be used in foundations, sidewalks, walls, beams, pillars, and slabs, among others.
Rebar is sold in three classes, defined by NBR 7480 (steel bars and wires intended for reinforcement in reinforced concrete): CA-25, CA-50, and CA-60. The main difference between each of these classes is their tensile and yield strength.
In addition to the material's characteristics and density, it's important to remember that different diameters are available on the market. Also called gauges, these are essential to the material's strength.
The bars of steel Rebars are used to ensure the tensile strength of concrete parts. It's worth noting that concrete is extremely resistant to compression, but not as effective in tension. Therefore, rebars are used to compensate for this "deficiency" in concrete, creating a structurally ideal part.
Before we begin discussing the applications of each type of rebar, another difference should be highlighted: its surface. It can be smooth or ribbed. See more details below!
Smooth rebar is more malleable than other types. Therefore, it's less commonly used in construction, as it needs to offer greater strength to concrete structures.
Ribbed concrete, on the other hand, can create greater interaction with the concrete, increasing adhesion and, consequently, preventing cracks or other problems. This makes it more suitable for civil construction.
This is one of the differences that needs to be known by those who sell this type of material, since it determines its purpose and, therefore, the consumer's demands.
As you've seen, there are three classes of rebar. The "CA" in each class stands for Reinforced Concrete, and there are significant differences between the three classifications. Below, we'll explain the characteristics and main applications of these three classes.
The rebar of the class CA-25 It is made of a more flexible steel than the others and, therefore, ends up being little used in civil construction. They are only used in cases where the use of the ribbed bar is not necessary.
One example of a sector that uses it is the precast industry, specifically in the production of handles for lifting certain parts. Class A steel CA-60 is known to be highly resistant.
Therefore, it is useful for stirrups, screens, and trusses, as well as for flooring and slab reinforcement. Another characteristic, besides strength, is the lightness that makes reinforced concrete structures.
THE CA-50 It was left for last because it is the most used in civil construction, since it supports a high concentration of load, is ductile and, because it is a ribbed steel class, it can adhere to concrete easily.
One question regarding the use of steel rebar is whether it can be welded. This is determined by the amount of steel contained in the rebar.
According to the American Welding Association publication “AWS D 1.4”, low alloy steel rebars can be welded. This type is the only one that can be welded without the need for special considerations throughout its use.
In contrast, high-strength alloy steel rebars no must be welded. This is because their material is much less malleable and, therefore, they tend to break under the weight of the concrete.
The proportion of carbon in the steel formula is what determines the strength of the rebar. The more concentrated carbon, the more brittle the steel.
When it comes to concrete support, high-alloy steel offers an advantage. However, the disadvantage is that it isn't weldable like low-alloy, high-strength steel.
It is important to note that there is another class of rebar in addition to the three previously mentioned (CA-25, CA-50, and CA-60). This is CG-50, which differs from CA-50 in its chemical composition, making it more suitable for welding processes.
Reinforced concrete structures use rebar as one of their components. However, when purchasing rebar, it doesn't come with instructions for use, nor does it specify the ideal size for a given structure or the required gauge.
This information is defined during the design phase of a building. In other words, it is not up to the supplier or contractor to determine the amount of rebar to be used.
However, if you want to differentiate your business, you can determine the correct quantity, size, and diameter of each bar. To do so, simply review the project documentation, such as the bill of materials, steel tables in projects, and the descriptive report, to find the necessary information.
As you know, rebar is a structural steel beam that, when added to concrete, forms reinforced concrete. This reinforced concrete forms the building's structure: columns, beams, joists, etc. Therefore, for each cubic meter of concrete, 100g of structural steel is typically used.
However, first of all, regardless of the quantity, size and class of rebar, it is necessary to acquire them from renowned distributors in the market. This is the only alternative to guarantee the purchase of quality materials that can meet the specifications of the technical standards.
Speaking of quality, do you really know what every steel seller needs to know? Here are some storage tips!
In addition to understanding its applications, it's important to understand the correct way to store steel. To keep the structure undamaged, it's recommended to store it in locations that are free from moisture and don't place the material in direct contact with the ground.
Surface rust is common and poses no risk of damage. Therefore, it is not permitted to use oils or greases to protect the structure, as this would interfere with its adhesion to the concrete in the future.
So? Did you like our tips? Now that you understand what rebar is, find out more. what every steel or concrete trader should know about these products and see if your relationship with customers is in line with what they need!
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