The construction of any structure, no matter how simple, requires a series of tools, equipment and parts, in addition to the in-depth knowledge of a construction professional.
Understanding each of these resources is essential to applying them most effectively and avoiding waste during construction. One of the best examples is rebar.
Despite being such a common component, many people still have questions about its uses, composition, and applications. To make the most of this component in your construction, it's important to understand its usefulness and some of its main myths and truths.
Follow along and better understand what rebar is, its main applications, its types, and some important questions about it!
It's a bar of steel A simple, thin structure that can be used directly as part of a construction, molded to perform a specific function, or serve as a base for creating other types of parts. Rebar is one of the most widely used materials in civil construction, both in small structures and in large buildings with more complex plans.
Rebar's most basic function is to serve as the building's skeleton, supporting much of the weight and ensuring the conformity of all other components. These bars are typically manufactured in 12-meter-long pieces with thicknesses ranging from 4 to 40 millimeters, depending on their purpose.
Rebar can also be used as part of the architecture and decoration itself, contributing to the aesthetics of the project. For example, its proper application helps create a lighter structure, which makes room for windows, skylights, and other elements, offering a range of possibilities and styles during the construction of the property.
As we've mentioned, rebar is a highly versatile component in any construction project. Therefore, it's common to find it in abundance throughout a project. Here are some of its main applications.
Concrete and brick are two very common and useful materials in construction. structuresThey serve as the foundation for a building, but they also have their limitations. First, they're rigid materials, meaning they're prone to cracking and breaking due to lateral pressure—a situation that particularly affects taller buildings.
Rebar, then, plays an important role in this scenario, as it adds strength to the structure, but without making it more rigid.
It seems strange to think that a more flexible material would make a building stronger and more durable, but that's exactly what happens. Instead of cracking or warping, the steel of the rebar bends slightly, better distributing the force of winds and the structure's own weight. The result is increased durability and resilience.
Similarly, if a structure requires more rigidity than flexibility, the rebar can also be adapted. It all depends on the steel composition and the objective of your project.
Another issue that appears in some constructions is the speed at which all the parts and materials can be combined to form the structure. Depending on the scale of the property, for example, it may be necessary to assemble all the parts on site, which takes up a significant portion of the project's time.
One alternative, then, is to use pre-assembled structural components, such as slabs or columns, which can be manufactured off-site and "fitted" into the building's foundation. While this is a more complex process than it seems, it's still easier, faster, and more practical than having to assemble the entire structure on-site.
Steel rebar is one of the materials that most facilitates this construction technique. It makes it easier to assemble these structures and transport them safely and quickly to the construction site. In other cases, there's a high risk of the pieces deforming along the way.
Precisely because it's such a simple component, rebar is highly versatile in construction. A good example of this is how it can be molded and modified to manufacture other types of steel parts, such as handrails, support bars, and grates. All you need is the right equipment to make these modifications.
It's worth noting that this process doesn't take place on a construction site, but rather in factories and steel mills dedicated to this purpose. Still, it's further proof of how important this material is.
Part of rebar's versatility is due to the many ways it can be constructed and modified. There are different types available, which meet specific needs within a civil construction project. Check out the two main ones now.
The first one you might encounter in many projects is the ribbed rebarAs the name suggests, the surface of the piece is slightly grooved, creating several ribs. It's quite easy to identify just by looking.
Of course, this difference in shape isn't just for show. The recesses in the rebar's surface help increase its adhesion when used in conjunction with concrete—a very common combination in construction.
This is because while steel increases the flexibility of the structure and helps distribute any type of pressure, concrete provides more rigidity and protects the rebar against external factors.
To fulfill this function, all ribbed rebar must adhere to a series of technical standards, including dimensions, chemical composition, and other factors. Considering its importance in supporting buildings, it's not difficult to understand the rationale for all this control.
Rebar can also be manufactured with a smooth surface, without any grooves or indentations. On the one hand, this makes the piece less adherent, which reduces its effectiveness in concrete applications, but this same characteristic makes it more useful for other purposes.
The main example is when a part is placed in a location where it will experience greater tensile force—as is the case with pillars, beams, and some exposed metal structures. If ribbed rebar were used, the risk of bending and grooves in the exposed parts would be greater.
There are also cases where you might choose smooth rebar for aesthetic purposes. If the structure is exposed and the finish needs to be cleaner and simpler, for example, it's best to use a rebar model that matches this style and is easier to paint and coat. The important thing is to maintain quality and competitiveness of your service.
Another variation between rebars is the type of steel used in their composition. Just like the two formats we mentioned, variations in the metal also directly impact their functionality and applications.
Check out the types of steel that can be used in the composition of rebar and what their main qualities are.
The most common model you find in construction is the CA-25. It is so called because of its resistance minimum tensile strength, which is 250 MPa (Mega Pascals). Because it's widely used, it's also usually the easiest to apply to different projects, and it's also available in the largest quantities on the market.
It's also the lowest-strength steel, which somewhat limits its applications. You'll find CA-25 steel rebar in smaller structures, such as small homes, buildings with three stories or less, and smaller walls, etc.
It's worth remembering that even the weakest steel is still a strong metal capable of withstanding great pressure. It's a matter of the scale of weight and the force involved in a larger construction.
Following the resistance scale, the next existing material is CA-50 steelAs you might expect, it has a minimum tensile strength of 500 MPa—twice as strong as CA-25 steel. For this reason, it's the model used in large-scale constructions, such as overpasses and buildings with more than three stories.
Large-scale projects typically combine CA-50 steel rebar of varying thicknesses and lengths. You'll most likely need to contact the supplier to determine the dimensions and quantity of each piece before starting the project. While it's not difficult to make adjustments on the job site, it's always best to have the material already in ideal condition.
Finally, there is the CA-60 steel, a high-carbon variant with a minimum tensile strength of 600 MPa. For this reason, it is the strongest steel for rebar and is used in structures that require maximum durability, such as large vehicle bridges and communication towers.
Compared to CA-50 steel, the strength gain isn't just 20%—which is quite small compared to the jump in strength between CA-25 and CA-50. However, this additional strength is what makes the difference when dealing with large-scale projects, which often have no margin for error. In these cases, it's best to order rebar with maximum potential and quality.
Now, let's clear up some common questions about rebar. Often, someone purchases a batch in advance, but it doesn't look the same when it's ready to be used: it's rusty.
If the metal is rusty or very worn, it should not be used as part of the structure, as this would create several points of vulnerability, considerably reducing the longevity of the property and compromising its safety.
However, what many describe as "rusty" rebar is simply a bit of surface dirt, which is quite easy to remove. If you can remove this layer and the rebar's metal is still in good condition, it's perfectly safe to use.
Another question that often comes up is about welding rebar. Some people say it's possible, while others say it doesn't work. There are even those who say it can only be welded with industrial machines.
In fact, not just any home welding machine can weld steel rebar, especially if it's very thick. However, it is possible to weld steel rebar in some cases, such as with low-carbon steel rebar. This is because it's more malleable and responds well to the welding process.
On the other hand, rebar made of high-carbon steel is not suitable for welding. The tip may even attach to another surface, but it won't be properly welded, which poses further risks to the integrity of the structure.
Choosing the right rebar for your project is a crucial decision that can impact not only the quality of the final product but also the safety of your team and the efficiency of the entire process. Therefore, it's worth finding a good one. supplier and know how to choose the most suitable type for your project.
As you've seen here, rebar can be classified according to the type of steel used and the shape of its surface. This is a good starting point for your evaluations. However, it's still ideal to compare different offers and, if possible, run tests to assess strength. Finally, request a quote. budget and see which alternatives have the best cost-benefit ratio.
Now that you've clarified some of your doubts about rebar and its qualities, you can make the best choice for your project. Simply rely on the best supplier to ensure quality at every stage.
Get in touch with Grupo Aço Cearense, learn more about our work and request a quote right now!
EN 
PT_BR 
