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There are two options available when it comes to reinforcing concrete in order to avoid cracking and breakage. The options are Wire mesh reinforcement and also fibre mesh reinforced concrete, and you may be wondering what the difference is between the two and what when it is appropriate to use either of them – that is why we have outlined them in this blog for you.
You may be familiar with seeing wire mesh used on construction sites and have wondered why they are used. The area in which the concrete is to be laid down should be covered in mesh before pouring commences. As the ready-mix concrete is poured, the wire mesh should be lifted up so that it’s positioned in the middle of the concrete in order to provide steel reinforcement. This particular type of reinforcement resembles a two-dimensional grid, which plays an important role in its support capabilities. Which ultimately makes the ready mix concrete even stronger and less prone to cracking. Cracking in concrete can be caused due to changes in temperature or unevenly distributed weight on the concrete.
Infrastructures that utilise mesh-reinforced products can be as much as 20% faster than projects that specify standard rebar reinforcement. Using welded wire reinforcement makes the placing or assembly processes easier and thereby contributes to a safer workplace.
Fibre mesh is made up of fibrous materials like synthetic fibres, glass fibres, natural fibres, and steel fibres- these fibres are then evenly distributed throughout the concrete within the fibre mesh reinforced concrete mixing process. At Al Manaratain our ready-mix division has two fully computerised concrete batching plants with enough transit mixers and concrete pumps in different lengths to meet our customers’ requirements. The production is properly monitored and controlled to comply with the international standards and ministry specifications in respect of quality and quantity.
Once the fibre mix concrete is ready, it is typically used in sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Rather than being laid down prior to the concrete pour, this type of mesh is distributed evenly throughout the wet concrete. Fibre mesh is used to reduce water loss from the concrete as well as enhance its structural strength. This type of mesh is also used to create a higher impact resistance in the concrete, prevent thawing, and increase its strength. Unlike wire mesh, this particular type of reinforcement provides more than just a single layer of support–it reinforces concrete throughout its entire surface as the fibre mesh is distributed evenly across all of the concrete.
When selecting which type of mesh to use, you will need to take both the time frame, cost and product into account. Because constructing a driveway, sidewalk, or patio can be quite difficult for residents to manoeuvre around, you’ll want to make sure that the project is completed as soon as possible, whilst also ensuring that it is time and cost-effective for your business. Using wire mesh is typically a longer process than using fibre mesh, because it requires time to overlap and must be laid twice. However, you should consider that Fiber mesh is also more cost-effective since there is less time involved in pouring and the material is used more efficiently. There has been concern among some contractors that the fibre mesh method can create a “hairy” finish due to some of the fibres protruding from the surface.
It is important to take each and every one of your projects as individuals and make decisions based on what is best for your client and also your business.
Concrete can be reinforced with two different types of mesh: wire and fiber. These two materials are very different from one another, with each type having advantages and disadvantages that should be recognized. In this article, we'll go over those differences to ensure that you're able to pick the right type of mesh for your project, no matter what you're building or rebuilding.
What Is Wire Mesh?
Wire mesh reinforced concrete is a wire mesh that's positioned in the middle of concrete as it is poured. Once the wire mesh is in position inside the concrete, the concrete is left to cure. The purpose of the mesh inside the concrete is to prevent the concrete from cracking, and to improve the concrete's flexural strength. Wire mesh is kept in place with spacers and wire ties.
To install wire mesh in concrete, the wire mesh is laid down first, and concrete is poured on top of the mesh. Once some concrete is poured on top of the mesh, the mesh is lifted to be positioned partway up the thickness of the concrete rebar. Finally, more concrete is poured over the mesh, and the concrete is allowed to cure with mesh in the middle.
When to Use Wire Mesh in Concrete
Wire mesh is suitable for horizontal slabs. Wire mesh comes in rolls that is cut to size and laid down in the area where the concrete is poured. The concrete is poured on the mesh, and then mesh is lifted slightly to be positioned in the middle of the concrete. Wire mesh is easily tangled and needs to be detangled before it can be laid down for the pour.
Advantage of Wire Mesh
There are many advantages and benefits of wire mesh, including:
Wire mesh bars don't shift their position when the concrete is poured on top, because they're welded together in a grid. This ensures the mesh is doing its job.
Wire mesh bars come in rolls that are easily transported onto the jobsite.
Because mesh bars don't shift their position when concrete is poured on top, installation is relatively simple.
Disadvantages of Wire Mesh
Wire mesh can take up more space on the jobsite compared to fabric mesh, which is easily transported in bags. In addition, rolls of mesh can become tangled with each other, which can slow progress. Wire mesh can also deteriorate over time.
Cost of Wire Mesh
Wire mesh costs an average of $1.04 and $1.21 per square foot. This does not include any labor costs or time spent on installation.