Reinforcing Steel Bars and Tendons
Reinforcing Steel Bars and Tendons
Reinforcing Steel Bars and Tendons
The ducts are normally then filled with a cement grout to protect the
steel from corrosion and to aid the transfer of the pre-stressing forces
into the concrete. Post-tensioning can also be applied by using external
bars suitably connected to the concrete section to allow the transfer of
compression force. This system of external post-tensioning allows
access to the reinforcing steel for inspection and monitoring.
STEEL IS THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE FOR
REINFORCING CONCRETE DUE TO A
COMBINATION OF UNIQUE FACTORS:
Elastic properties The modulus of all steel reinforcement
is 29,000,000 psi and this value may be used in design. This
uniform modulus for all grades and bar sizes simplifies the
design process. Materials with lower moduli may require
additional bars to provide the same serviceability and
structures designed with these materials may experience
increased deflections and additional cracking. Steel has
similar elastic properties under both tensile and compression
loads.
Elongation under load Steel reinforcement has significant
elongation under load providing for well-defined cracks in the
structure during overload conditions. Such cracking provides
suitable warning for occupants regarding the loading of a
structure. Materials that do not exhibit non-elastic behaviour
under load may not provide sufficient ductility to warn of
impending failure.
Fatigue The fatigue properties of steel reinforced concrete
structures are well understood.
Bond development The development strength of
reinforcing steel in both straight and bent conditions is well
researched and understood.
Uniform properties in 3D Steel reinforcement generally has
uniform properties in all directions and the shear strength is
similar to the longitudinal yield strength.
Thermal properties The modulus of thermal expansion of
steel reinforcement is very similar to that of concrete. Due to the
similarity of concrete and steel thermal properties additional
stresses or deflections are not introduced upon heating the
concrete structure.
Joining Steel reinforcement can be joined using welding or
couplers that have strengths similar to that of the reinforcing
steel.
Ability to be recycled Reinforcing steel is able to be
readily recycled at the end of the structure design life.
Fatigue The fatigue properties of steel reinforced
concrete structures are well understood.
Strength retention Under heating from fire, steel is able
to withstand high temperatures before strength and
ductility properties change. Many concrete structures that
have been subjected to fire can be rehabilitated using the
existing reinforcing steel.
Ability to be bent Reinforcing steel can be bent after
being manufactured. This simplifies the construction and
provides for rapid delivery of fabricated materials.
Robustness Reinforcing steel is robust and able to
withstand rigors of construction.
Compatibility with concrete Reinforcing steel does not
need to be tied directly to the formwork and does not float
in concrete.
Availability Reinforcing steel is available in every region
of the country. Due to the number and distribution of
plants, LEED and other sustainability credits are available.
Yield At loads less than yield, steel exhibits elastic
properties that enable a structure to rebound upon
reloading. Steel reinforcement is available with yield
strengths from 40 to 100 ksi. The yield strength of steel is
not dependent on the bar diameter and substitution of
different combinations of bars with the same bar area may
be readily provided. This provides flexibility in the methods
of obtaining the same properties in a concrete structure.
Recycled content The recycled content of reinforcing
steel is greater than 75 percent and in most circumstances
greater than 95 percent.
Strength retention Under heating from fire, steel is
able to withstand high temperatures before strength and
ductility properties change. Many concrete structures that
have been subjected to fire can be rehabilitated using the
existing reinforcing steel.
Code Acceptance Steel reinforcement is accepted by
all concrete design codes worldwide.