Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

Reinforcing steel is used in the construction of bridges, buildings, skyscrapers, residential homes, warehouses, foundations and roads to increase the strength of the concrete in addition to providing the support to hold the structure up.  It offers many economic advantages, and the high-tech process used to create the steel bars of today has been totally transformed from the reinforced concrete building that was done in the late 1800’s. 

As reinforced concrete is typically a locally sourced material as well as the fact that the steel comes from recycled scrap, makes it both a sustainable and environmentally friendly product.  In addition once a structure is no longer viable, the reinforcing steel and concrete are separated and both materials are recycled to be used again. 

The reinforcing steel bars known as rebar are installed inside the concrete, and work to help the concrete maintain its shape.  It is both an economical way to increase the strength of the concrete and provides the opportunity to build structures that could not have been done without it. 

The Concrete Steel Reinforcing Institute (CSRI) explains that, “Steel Reinforcing bars are produced by pouring molten steel into casters and then running it through a series of stands in the mill, which shape the steel into reinforcing bars. The cross hatchings, called "deformations," help secure the steel and transfer the load between it and the concrete.” 

Reinforced concrete offers the durability and strength of the concrete and the reinforcing bar working together.  The CSRI adds that, “The concrete provides the material's compressive strength, while the steel — in the form of embedded reinforcing bars — provides tensile strength.”

Sources:  crsi.org/index.cfm/steel/about

Conco is one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in the Western United States.  We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado and are experts at creating cost-effective solutions that take advantage of the most up-to-date techniques.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.