Reinforcing Bar
A reinforcing bar, or rebar, is a finished product that is rolled to tight tolerances. Typically supplied in straight lengths, rebar can also be manufactured in coiled form.
The performance of reinforcing bars is governed by Australian Standard AS/NZS 4671, which does not differentiate between:
- Manufacturing methods, whether from coiled bars or straight-rolled bars.
- Production techniques such as quenching, self-tempering, and micro-alloyed steels.
- Hot-rolled and cold-worked reinforcement.
Straight rebar is usually available in lengths between 6 and 18 meters, with availability depending on the local market.
Reinforcing Mesh
Reinforcing mesh is typically produced in flat sheets with bars up to 12 mm in diameter, or in rolls for fabric with bars up to 5 mm in diameter. The common sheet size is 6 meters by 2.4 meters, with the bars welded into a square or rectangular grid.
Automated welding processes ensure that the bar grid maintains a defined cross-sectional area, providing consistent design properties for engineers. Bars are electronically welded using fusion under pressure, which binds the intersecting bars into a unified section without compromising strength or the overall cross-sectional area.
Most reinforcing fabrics produced in Australia are made from deformed cold-rolled bars of D500L grade. One advantage of cold-rolling is the applied force that ensures the bar meets the tensile strength requirements outlined in AS/NZS 4671, while an automatic check during production verifies the bar's compliance.
