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.
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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.
Concrete-formed floors, platforms, roadways, and walls need reinforcement to prevent cracking. Wire mesh and Fibermesh® are the most common reinforcement products used to maintain concrete integrity.
This article will cover the primary differences between Fibermesh® and wire mesh and how to choose the best one for your project.
Wire mesh, sometimes called welded steel fabric, is composed of separate rods of heavy-gauge galvanized wire mesh welded together in crisscrossed patterns.The panels are easy to position into concrete forms, and then fresh concrete is poured over them. Wire mesh is less expensive, stronger, and easier to work with than traditional rebar. It&#;s also used to increase the concrete&#;s tensile strength and is essential for any project with a deficient subgrade.
Concrete wire mesh is primarily used to strengthen structures like:
Tunnels
Runways
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Roadways
Pavements
Bridge Decks
Square wire mesh for concrete is also used when forming flooring, roofing, and walls in residential, commercial, and industrial structures.
Fibermesh® is a proprietary concrete reinforcement manufactured by Sika®, an international leader in specialty products and chemicals used in the automotive, construction, and industrial markets.
Fibermesh® is manufactured with olefin-free monofilament fibers, plus other fibrous materials (glass, steel, and synthetic fibers), and designed to reduce water loss, enhance structural integrity, improve impact resistance, prevent thawing, and increase tensile strength. Fibermesh® is also designed to meet or exceed ISO standards.
Fibermesh® acts to support aggregates within concrete mixes via a multidimensional network of macro- and microfibers. This product doesn&#;t affect curing, and it doesn&#;t absorb water.
Benefits of Fibermesh® include:
Enhanced Cohesion
Reduced Segregation
Decreased Bleed Water
Enhanced Bleed Uniformity
Elongated Concrete Durability
Hindered Concrete Shrinking & Cracking
Improved Resistance to Abrasion, Shatter, & Impact
Common applications for Sika® Fibermesh® include forming:
Residential Curbs, Decks, & Driveways
Roadways & Sidewalks
Ground Slabs
Bridge Decks
Shotcrete
Toppings
Overlays
Precasts
Stucco
While rebar, wire mesh, and Fibermesh® are all popularly used across numerous construction scenarios, some of their uses overlap.
Using rebar is the slowest of the three reinforcement methods, requiring significantly more time to cut, position, align, and tie or weld together. However, rebar is still a go-to choice for many contractors because, although it&#;s slower and heavier to work with, its strength surpasses wire mesh.
Wire mesh is faster to use but less strong than rebar. It must be rolled out, lined up, and cut to fit the application. However, the diminished diameter of its steel rods makes it weaker than rebar.
Overall, Sika® Fibermesh® is theoretically the strongest option of the three. However, its use in vertical applications hasn&#;t been well-studied yet. Fibermesh® is added to the concrete mix, meaning there&#;s no need to roll it out, cut it, align it, or anything else. It is part of the concrete, making it much less time- and effort-consuming.
It&#;s also important to note that rebar and wire mesh are considerably cheaper than Fibermesh®. So, if your project is budget-sensitive, you may want to invest the extra effort in using rebar or wire mesh. Due to its cost, some people only use Fibermesh® for smaller projects.
Founded over two decades ago, G&G Concrete & Construction is a family-owned and -operated concrete construction contractor serving homeowners and businesses in Michigan. We specialize in all types of concrete design and installation projects. Please visit our blog for more concrete construction resources, or contact us today to learn more about our services and capabilities.