Rebar Concrete Reinforcement
In the 19th century, a French industrialist by the name of François Coignet invented a revolutionary new way to improve upon the relatively low tensile strength and ductility of concrete. By using iron reinforcements, Coignet was able to do things with concrete that otherwise would not have been possible, such as constructing multi-story buildings.
In 1877, Joseph Monier, a French gardener and one of the principal inventors of Reinforced Concrete, was granted a patent for an advanced technique of reinforcing concrete columns and girders with iron rods placed in a grid pattern. In 1879, a German civil engineer named G. A. Wayss bought the rights to Monier’s patent and in 1884 became the first person to commercial use reinforced concrete.
Today, reinforced concrete is a staple in the construction industry. These reinforcements – typically steel reinforcing bars (Rebar) or Fiber – are used to resist tensile stresses and prevent cracking or structural failure. Additional benefits include:
- Longer life of pavements
- Reduces rutting and cracking
- Reduced maintenance needs
- Improved strength and durability
- Cost-effective
Without reinforcement, constructing modern structures, such as buildings, walls, or roads, with the concrete material would not be possible.
Fiber Concrete Reinforcement
Fibers have been used in concrete reinforcement since ancient times. Long before the use of concrete, builders used straw to help reinforce their mud bricks. After that, horsehair was used in mortar for the same reason: reinforcement. Then, in the 1900s, asbestos fibers were used in concrete and asphalt to help stabilize the mixture. Asbestos fibers were found to increase tensile strength, compressive strength, stability, ability to sustain load after reaching maximum stability, and resistance to weathering. By the 1970s, asbestos was replaced with polyester and polypropylene fibers, as well as mineral fibers such as rock wool and slag wool. Then the 1980s brought about the use of synthetic fibers, a switch made due to high tensile strengths and durability of these new fibers.
PTG Enterprises, Your Baltimore Concrete Contractor
PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial pavement contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Over the years, we have paved thousands of miles of asphalt and concrete surface: roads, parking lots, etc. throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia.
Our crews are highly skilled and extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving. You can be rest assured that the end result will look professional and last for years to come.
If you have any questions about Concrete Reinforcement, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
