Plastic reinforcement offers a number of advantages when it comes to strengthening a building’s foundation. With this technique, plastic fibers are woven into a mesh that fortifies the concrete structure and provides resilience and durability against a range of environmental conditions. Plastic reinforcement is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and manageable during construction, in contrast to conventional steel reinforcement.
For foundations, plastic reinforcement is especially useful in areas that are exposed to chemicals or moisture, as traditional steel reinforcements can corrode over time and become less strong. Plastic fibers can be added to concrete to extend the life of the structure and save maintenance costs. They can also be layered into the foundation.
Depending on the construction method, knitting plastic reinforcement entails placing the mesh either directly on the ground or inside concrete forms with great care. In order to provide even weight distribution and reduce the chance of cracking or settling over time, this mesh serves as a supporting framework that disperses the load across the foundation.
Required materials and tools
Prior to knitting the fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation, supplies and work tools must be acquired.
In order to reinforce monolithic structures, horizontal flat meshes that are joined together spatially into a single whole are typically utilized. This plan can be used to pour a slab and strip foundation beneath a building or to set up a framework for pouring a fence base.
Using special hooks or a gun, individual rods are tied together with metal wire (information about tying reinforcement is provided here).
Clamps can also be used to connect them.
Get the following supplies before you begin work:
- fiberglass rods (diameter must correspond to design documentation);
- metal wire or plastic clamps.
Plastic fittings must be cut to size before beginning work because they are supplied in coils. The reinforcement can be cut using an angle grinder cutting disc or a standard hacksaw (information on cutting fiberglass reinforcement is posted here). Using a marker to divide the rods into separate sections will be convenient.
Select 1 mm diameter metal wire for knitting. With this size, you can tie a sturdy knot that will maintain the intersection of individual rods without causing height variations.
It will be sufficient to use an angle grinder to split the wire coil into three sections in order to cut the wire into individual pieces.
It is advised to anneal the wire over a fire to increase its elasticity. Following heat treatment, the wire is easily bent and knotted at the intersection of the reinforcing rods. Untreated wire is more prone to breaking, tightens more quickly, and does not offer a firm grip on the connection.
Wire knitting can be done with the following tools:
- pliers;
- crochet hooks;
- knitting guns.
Using pliers is a hassle. You will need to work much harder to get the right knot, and you will work much more slowly than you would with other tools. Builders typically use crochet hooks.
Two categories of hooks exist:
- Manual. This tool will need to be rotated by hand.
- Semi-automatic. They are equipped with an internal thread, and when the handle is pulled back, the hook rotates, tightening the knot.
You can buy a standard hook at a hardware store, but you can also easily make one yourself out of thick steel wire (see this material for more information).
The knitting gun is an expensive tool, but it greatly expedites the frame preparation process. Furthermore, you will still need to use a standard hook to access difficult-to-reach areas in order to grasp the rod connections due to the gun’s dimensions.
In this piece, we examine the fundamental method of using plastic mesh to reinforce foundations. We examine how this technique improves the strength and longevity of concrete bases and go over detailed instructions for properly applying and fastening the mesh while building. We also go over important factors to take into account when choosing the proper kind and size of mesh, emphasizing its advantages over conventional metal reinforcement such as its resistance to corrosion and ease of handling. Knowing the fundamentals of knitting plastic reinforcement, whether you’re a professional builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, will guarantee that your foundation is strong and resilient for many years to come.
Instructions for knitting composite reinforcement
For reinforcing bars to form a robust spatial frame, the joints need to be joined. When pouring the solution, the unit’s dependability should guarantee the safety of the reinforcing mesh without affecting its original appearance.
Most frequently, connections are secured with metal wire. This is the most straightforward and dependable method that doesn’t require the installer to have any specialized training. Although metal reinforcement can also be welded, fiberglass is not a good fit for this method.
There are various steps involved in knitting fiberglass rods:
- The reinforcement is cut to specified sizes, which requires unwinding the coil.
- Transverse rods are placed on special plastic supports-clamps.
- Longitudinal ones are laid on top of the transverse rods, maintaining a uniform distance between the individual elements.
- At those points where there is an intersection of rods, it is necessary to make a connection. To do this, stretch a piece of wire folded in half under the joint and twist the loop with a crochet hook, grabbing the free end (in the photo there is a version with lags instead of clamps).
- Having assembled the lower horizontal mesh, proceed to setting up the vertical rods.
- Having secured the lower part of the vertical rods, proceed to the installation of the next horizontal row.
- The finished frame is lowered into the formwork.
In actuality, laborers frequently start by assembling a metal reinforcement frame on which fiberglass rods are affixed. Although pricey, this type of frame proves to be more resilient.
The stability and longevity of your foundation depend on the reinforcement you choose. Comparing plastic reinforcement to traditional steel options reveals several benefits, including handling ease and corrosion resistance. It is a desirable option for contemporary construction projects because of these features.
Make sure you follow local building codes and structural plans for the correct spacing and alignment when knitting plastic reinforcement. In order to ensure the foundation’s structural integrity and avoid future problems like cracking or settling, this step is crucial.
Furthermore, plastic reinforcement’s flexibility makes it easier to customize to meet the needs of a given project. Because of its flexibility, it can be installed more easily and requires less labor, which makes it a good option for both pros and do-it-yourselfers.
In conclusion, plastic reinforcement is a strong substitute for traditional steel reinforcement in many foundation projects due to its advantages in terms of durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of handling. However, it may not be appropriate for every construction scenario. The secret to creating a solid and long-lasting foundation for any building is to comprehend its benefits and use the right installation techniques.
