Fiberglass reinforcement is a building material created on the basis of fibers connected by a complex composition. It is produced on the basis of basalt, glass and carbon fiber, and they can be combined. However, basalt-plastic reinforcement and fiberglass are considered the most popular.
What is it made of?
It consists of two parts. The first is the barrel, due to which high material strength is achieved. The fibers are bonded to each other with polyester resins of the composite. The outer layer is used for reliable adhesion to concrete: it is a fibrous body that is wound around the barrel in a spiral. It is thanks to this composition that plastic reinforcement received positive reviews as a reliable material for construction. There are various variations of reinforcement models, some of which are quite unusual. Fiberglass is used to produce this building fixture. Its peculiarity is that there are practically no analogues in the world, and positive qualities significantly expand the scope of application. In addition, this material is modern and effective, and therefore it meets the requirements of the construction process as well as possible.
At the heart of any fiberglass reinforcement are two components. The first is a directly reinforcing material, the second is a binder (a mixture based on epoxy). The ratio of these components is 75 to 25. In composite reinforcement, all mechanical loads are on the reinforcing component, while bonding materials are a kind of matrix that evenly distributes the load over the entire length of the bar and protects it from external influences.
The following can be considered the most common recipe: glass roving or basalt fiber act as a reinforcing link, epoxy resin is used for communication, in addition, a hardener and an accelerator will be included in the composition of the material. However, a universal composition does not exist, since each manufacturer builds its own technological process.
What is the secret of popularity?
I must say that compared to metal materials, plastic products are much more in demand today. Moreover, plastic fittings are used in any construction process. This is achieved due to several qualities:
- Resistance to corrosion, aggressive environment, including alkaline environment of concrete. Unlike metal, plastic does not rust and does not break. These qualities contribute to the fact that plastic structures are widely used in the equipment of moorings, protective structures at water bodies.
- Reliability and durability, which is more for plastic products than steel ones. It is reliability that allows you to use them in the construction of building structures for various purposes and volume.
- High tensile strength.
- Lightness of reinforcement: for example, compared with a steel variety, plastic is five times less in weight and 11 times less in diameter. Such indicators indicate that it is possible to save on construction work, as well as on transportation of material to the object.
- Low thermal conductivity, due to which the cold does not penetrate into the premises. It is no accident that plastic reinforcement is often used for the foundation: when it is erected, it is possible to achieve high energy efficiency due to economical materials.
- Resistance to radio waves.
- Possibilities of application in various temperature conditions: from –70 to +100 degrees.
- Costs: to buy a running meter of plastic reinforcement will be much cheaper compared, for example, with a segment of one meter of a metal bar.
Features of composite fiberglass
Composite fiberglass reinforcement appeared on the domestic market not so long ago and today is considered a new technology. Such plastic fittings also received good reviews, as it has a number of advantages compared to metal counterparts. Firstly, such structures are lightweight, so the foundation will not have too much load, which means the building will last much longer. Secondly, due to its high tensile strength, such reinforcement can be used for the construction of objects with complex structural features. Thirdly, the composite material is resistant to aggressive media and does not conduct electric current.
On the other hand, composite plastic reinforcement has a weaker modulus of elasticity compared to steel products. Particularly strong elasticity is lost when heated to 600 degrees of the composite. But on the other hand, it is this characteristic that speaks in favor of the fact that plastic reinforcement has also been used for installation of the foundation, where tensile strength is very important.
Where are composites needed?
SNiPs and other rules recommend the use of composite reinforcement in the following works:
- In floor slabs: as a rule, reinforcement is placed in the upper or lower zone of concrete, while the class of concrete should be B25.
- When reinforcing structures made of concrete and reinforced concrete.
- In the construction of foundations with a zero mark of occurrence.
- In reinforced structures that are susceptible to aggressive environments.
- During repair work associated with damage to concrete due to exposure to aggressive environments.
- For reinforcing masonry, especially if it is carried out in winter.
Where is fiberglass reinforcement used?
The scope of this building material is extensive:
- For installation of the foundation. In view of the tensile strength, fiberglass is expediently used specifically for erecting a base for objects. Firstly, the installation will be simple. Secondly, the foundation will be solid. Plastic reinforcement for the foundation receives positive reviews due to the fact that it allows you to create a monolithic base. It is placed directly in the concrete mortar during the pouring process, so that the adhesion of materials becomes stronger. So that pores and cavities do not form at the junction, specialists use special vibration equipment.
- When equipping a high voltage power line. Since the material does not conduct current, energy will be lost minimally, while its operation will be safe.
- Plastic fittings receive positive reviews from builders due to its versatility. So, it can be used to strengthen the strength of the roadway, supports, bridges.
- Composite materials underlie the production of sleepers. Due to the intense vibration that causes concrete to decay, a new material was needed, and fiberglass reinforcement became the right and effective solution.
- The metal is not resistant to aggressive environments, high humidity, solvents and acids, respectively, its service life is not very long. Fiberglass, used in the construction of docks, moorings, various barriers on the coastline, shows the best performance.
- Reinforcement made of plastic is also used in the equipment of mines when fixing a special mesh, which protects the walls and arches of the mine from collapse and fixes them.
- Do not do without this material when fixing insulation or facing material on the finished wall.
Types of fiberglass reinforcement
Plastic reinforcement in construction today is used more and more often, due to its unique characteristics. In addition, composite reinforcement today refers to a number of non-metallic structures that significantly expand the scope of their application. So, modern manufacturers offer fiberglass and basalt-plastic reinforcement. In this case, the polymeric resins that bind the fibers can be a variety of substances, each of which has its own characteristics.
Any building material is used based on certain rules and requirements. This also applies to composite reinforcement. Plastic fittings, the characteristics of which are so diverse, are used in construction on the basis of SNiP approved in 2003. By the way, each type of material is controlled by the manufacturer, and therefore the reinforcement must necessarily correspond to the parameters that were originally declared.
Armature for the foundation: how to choose?
Today, in private housing construction, plastic reinforcement for the foundation is increasingly used. When choosing it, experts advise contacting authorized dealers and reliable manufacturers, since the strength and durability of the building as a whole will depend on the quality of the material. An important role is played by the quality of the product, as well as the density of the glass-wool winding along the entire length of the rod. The turns should also be flooded with high quality. Good quality materials are the best choice when equipping any foundation - slab, strip or columnar. The type should be selected depending on what is the bearing capacity of the soil, as well as the load on the building as a whole.
Foundation reinforcement is necessary in order to make the load on the base of the building more uniform during operation. Concrete is characterized by compressive strength, but its structural integrity may be compromised under the influence of loads. It is with the help of reinforcement that greater adhesion to concrete is achieved, respectively, the foundation becomes stronger and more reliable. The main requirements when choosing fittings should be the following:
- providing hard adhesion to concrete;
- durability;
- flexibility;
- resistance to rust and corrosion.
The reinforcement can be working, that is, reducing stress and external loads, as well as distribution, when the load is evenly distributed on each rod - this helps to maintain the correct location of the working rods. With the help of clamps, the rods are connected into the frame, protecting the concrete from cracking. Cross rods protect against inclined cracks in the foundation, and longitudinal ones from vertical ones.
Slab foundation
In the construction of this type of base, reinforcement with a ribbed surface is required with a diameter of at least 10 mm. It is the diameter that affects how strong the reinforcement will be. Plastic reinforcement for the foundation, reviews of which are so good, should be selected depending on the type of soil. For example, on non-porous and dense, that is, with good bearing capacity and resistance to deformation, the thickness and diameter can be small. If the house is massive, but on soft ground, the reinforcement should be thicker - about 14-16 mm. With this option, the reinforcement of the plate will be upper and lower, and the total number of bars will be more than 100. Knitting can be done in several ways. For example, at first the reinforcing bars in the lower belt can be connected longitudinally and transversely, then vertical rods are attached to them, then again transversely and longitudinally. When knitting fiberglass reinforcement it makes sense to use clamps and ties made of plastic. This is the so-called knitting of reinforcement with plastic clamps.
Strip foundation
As a rule, the tape base has a height greater than the width. Accordingly, the tape due to its small size is prone to bending, and therefore when erecting such a foundation, reinforcement with a smaller diameter can be used. The peculiarity of this foundation is that two reinforcement belts will be needed regardless of what its height will be. The process of laying reinforcement will be as follows: in the upper and lower part of the foundation at a distance of up to 5 cm from the concrete surface, rods are laid longitudinally - they will bear the entire load in case of deformation. Reinforcement in several rods can be used for weak or moving soil, as well as for the construction of oversized houses. Fiberglass reinforcement - grades f6 and f7 (for houses on one floor), grades f8 and f10 - for residential buildings with an attic or two floors, ideal for the construction of a strip foundation.
Column foundation
Good plastic fittings (reviews confirm this) and the construction of this design. When reinforcing the columns, metal fittings with a diameter of 10 mm or fiberglass f6 are useful. As vertical rods, it is better to choose reinforcement with a ribbed surface, and horizontal ones are only needed to link the rods into a single frame. The reinforcing cage is a 2-4 bar length with a column height. For example, when reinforcing a column with a height of 2 meters and a diameter of 20 cm, four bars f6 will be needed. They need to be placed 10 cm from each other, and also bandaged with smooth reinforcement with a diameter of f4 or f5. For any type of foundation, reinforcement for plastic pipes will also be required.
Features of knitting reinforcement
The foundation is an important component of any building, its quality and reliability is the guarantee that it will stand for a long time and will serve reliably. The reinforcement of the base must be approached wisely. Consider how the knitting of plastic reinforcement for the strip foundation is performed, since it is it that is most often used in private housing construction. Knitting is necessary in order to make the design of the reinforcing cage unified and more durable. The rods are connected in the places where they intersect. A piece of wire is bent in the middle, then it is put on a special hook, which is applied to the reinforcement and tightened. An easier way to knit involves the use of plastic ties.
When creating a reinforcing system, plastic stop valves are important. Its main function is to contribute to a more durable and reliable fastening of plastic rods to each other. The most popular parts in this regard are latches, which are special embedded parts and contribute to the creation of a protective layer with a certain thickness in concrete. The fixture for plastic reinforcement is created by injection molding from polyethylene under high pressure. They are needed in order to securely fasten reinforcing rods, frames in space, which will provide a protective layer in a concrete or reinforced concrete structure. The clamps can be designed for horizontal and vertical surfaces, as well as for creating formwork.
How is plastic reinforcement made?
Having decided to build your house, pay attention to many small things and start with the construction of the foundation. Many are interested in the question of where to buy plastic fittings. Experts advise you to turn to trusted companies, since the durability of the structure itself depends on the foundation of the house, its quality and reliability. Equipment for the production of fittings is quite expensive, and the quality of materials depends on its quality.
Plastic fittings, the production of which is carried out on high-tech equipment, can be produced in different diameters - 4-24 mm. Depending on the type of line, a different number of bars will be produced, as well as different sections. As a rule, the delivery package includes a number of devices - from the device for heating the threads and the impregnation bath to the broaching device and the control cabinet. Thus, the equipment for plastic fittings should be chosen correctly to make the process efficient.
Plastic fittings: customer reviews
In their reviews, builders - experienced and not very - agree on one thing: for the installation of the foundation, plastic fittings are simply perfect. For example, some used a combination of steel and plastic rods: foundation slabs and basement walls were created on the basis of plastic, and floors, where stronger materials were needed, were built on the basis of steel. Many people also note the convenience of knitting compared to metal fittings, which are supplied with one rod. By the degree of tensile strength and resistance to decay, there is no better plastic reinforcement either.
But, on the other hand, not without negative reviews. True, judging by them, these shortcomings are still more than overlapping with virtues. For example, it is believed that after working with fiberglass, itchy hands. In addition, bending it to make, for example, corners in the form of the letters G or P is almost impossible. At the same time, the manufacturers themselves focus on the fact that fiberglass reinforcement should be used exclusively for installation of the foundation.
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