Reinforce your house with steel bars
What you need to know:
Kazibwe notes that high strength reinforcing steel uses a continuous line system to show steel grade. If the rebar contains two lines it indicates that the rebar was rolled into the 75,000 psi bars
The strength of any structure relies on the concrete slab which is also made firm by reinforcing steel bars. These are used to help the concrete withstand tension forces. Concrete by nature is strong to compression forces.
Javis Kazibwe, a dealer in reinforcing bars says the deformed pattern on a rebar helps the concrete to adhere to the reinforcing steel surface.
“Reinforcing bars come in different sizes which range from Y8, Y10, 12 and 16. Y8 and 10 are used for basic fabrications and as iron bars in homes. Y12 and 16 on complex tasks like making slabs on buildings because of their thickness and strength,” he explains.
Kazibwe notes that high strength reinforcing steel uses a continuous line system to show steel grade. If the rebar contains two lines it indicates that the rebar was rolled into the 75,000 psi bars.
“The prices of the reinforcing steel bars differ with size and a piece of the basic Y8 size costs Shs18, 000,” he says.
Kazibwe advises that in order to maintain these bars, one should take note of the following;
• Steel bars should be stored in a simple way such as verandahs to avoid distortion and to prevent deterioration and corrosion.
• Steel bars should not be cleaned by oily substance to remove the rust.
• The bar is bent correctly and accurately to the size and shape.
• If possible, the bar of full length is used.
• Overlapping bars do not touch each other and these should be kept apart with concrete.
• The overlap if given should be staggered.
• The cranks in the bar at the end should be kept in position by using spots.
• The steel bars should not be disturbed while lying cements concrete.
• Required cover under steel bars should be given before laying the cement concrete.
