Potential gains through welded-wire fabric reinforcement

Bernold, L E and Chang, P (1992) Potential gains through welded-wire fabric reinforcement. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 118(2), pp. 244-257. ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

The proper placement of reinforcing steel for concrete construction requires a high degree of craftsmanship and is traditionally done by hand on the job site. Many recommendations have been published by the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) and related institutes to highlight crucial guidelines for the successful use of reinforcing bars in concrete. However, the traditional sequence for placement of steel reinforcement is the cause of many errors, omissions, and unproductive labor and equipment hours. This paper presents the results of a study that evaluates the use of welded-steel mesh (WSM), referred to as welded-wire fabric (WWF) by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), for bridge decks. Several different placement scenarios are discussed together with the potential improvements in productivity. Also addressed are the effects on quality and overall cost when using WWF instead of traditional steel reinforcing bars.

Item Type: Article
Index terms: concrete construction, reinforcing steel, placement, reinforcement, productivity
Subjects: building materials, building construction, management
Topics: Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Human Resources
Descriptive scope: 2 PC

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here