Plastic and fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation. Reinforcement of a strip foundation with fiberglass reinforcement How to make a foundation from composite reinforcement

Technological progress inexorably invades all possible spheres of modern life. He could not ignore the field of building materials. Every year the market is replenished with new developments that make the construction process easier and simpler. It is thanks to new technologies that today it is possible to lay a foundation made of fiberglass reinforcement as the basis for low-rise buildings. This type of building frame, having appeared on the market not so long ago, has already managed to significantly displace the usual and popular products made of iron and steel. What are the main advantages of fiberglass? What is its scope?

Comparative characteristics of materials

The very name of this material contains its main characteristics. It is made from plastic or glass threads, firmly welded together into homogeneous rods with either a smooth or grooved surface structure and a circular cross-section. The corrugated structure promotes better adhesion to concrete and is obtained due to the entwining of smooth rods with fiberglass.

Products with a corrugated surface bear the brunt of the structure being erected, while smooth ones serve to connect individual parts of the frame. Unlike conventional metal products, new generation materials have a number of features, thanks to which fiberglass reinforcement for strip foundations firmly holds the palm in the building materials market.

The main differences between fiberglass and metal include:

the relative lightness of this material, the mass of which is many times less than steel. This important property allows you to significantly lighten the weight of the strip foundation, while avoiding excessive subsidence of the soil under the construction site;
low susceptibility of fiberglass to corrosion and its immunity to aggressive environments, which reduces the risk of premature destruction of the foundation and contributes to the durability of the structure. This property allows the use of fiberglass in the construction of roads, which are actively treated with reagents during operation, as well as the construction of piers and breakwaters, without fear of exposure to salty sea water;
low thermal conductivity of the polymer and its antistatic properties, which makes it possible to effectively use foundation reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement in difficult climatic zones of Russia;
weak conductivity of electric current, significantly reducing the effect on radio waves;
no need for welding during installation, since fiberglass is not designed to withstand high temperatures and can be connected to each other with special plastic clamps;

Type of fiberglass reinforcement

Determining the amount of consumable material

The calculation of fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation of a building is primarily influenced by the type of structure and its dimensions. For low-rise buildings, it is recommended to use ribbed reinforcement with a diameter of no more than ten millimeters. When calculating, it is necessary to take into account that the basis of the strip foundation is a two-tier frame, and the cell pitch should not exceed fifty centimeters. Its dimensions affect the total number of joints in the structure. The consumption of material also depends on the presence of load-bearing main walls in the building, since each of them requires pouring a base with a two-tier frame.

In cases where the foundation is planned to be poured with your own hands, without the involvement of professionals, it is very important to make the correct calculation of the amount of building material. It can be produced in accordance with the algorithm below.

Calculation of the size of the longitudinal frame

First of all, you need to determine the perimeter of the structure based on its dimensions, then add to the resulting value the total size of the main walls provided for by the project. If, as an example, we take a building four meters long and five meters wide, and having one load-bearing wall four meters long, the result of the calculations will be as follows: 4*2+5*2+4 = 22 meters.
Considering the need to use a two-level frame consisting of four parallel rods, that is, two in each tier, the resulting total length of the reinforcement must be increased four times. The result will be like this: 22*4 = 88 meters.
Since fiberglass is not weldable, and the joining of the frame parts is overlapped, it is necessary to allow one additional meter for each corner of the building. To do this, you need to multiply the number of external and main walls of the building by one, and then by the number of rods, that is, by four. In the accepted example, the calculation will look like this: (4+1)*1*4=20 meters.
The sum of the total length of the walls and additional volumes for joining will give the desired value: 88+20=108 meters.

However, the calculations do not end there. Next, you need to calculate the amount of building material required to connect the frame rods into a single structure. For these purposes, smooth rods with a cross-sectional diameter of about 8 millimeters are quite suitable. They are significantly cheaper than ribbed ones and do an excellent job of connecting functions.

Calculation of the size of transverse connections

Since the technology of pouring the foundation requires that the step between the connecting rings does not exceed half a meter, it is necessary to determine the number of required cells. To do this, you need to divide the total size of the base by fifty centimeters. In the example under consideration, the result will be as follows: 88:0.5=44 cells. This means that 44 jump rings will need to be installed.
To calculate the consumption of building materials for one harness, you need to determine its perimeter based on standard parameters of 50 by 25 centimeters. The perimeter will be equal to: 0.5*2+0.25*2=1.5 meters.
The amount of material required for connecting rings can be calculated by multiplying the perimeter by the number of rings. The desired value will be as follows: 1.5*44=66 meters.
Considering that during installation work various wastes often arise as a result of cutting, it is reasonable to add a certain percentage of the reserve to the required number, from five to ten units. The result will be the desired value of about seventy meters.

Calculation of the number of fasteners

Lastly, you need to determine the number of plastic fasteners for joining the transverse rings and longitudinal reinforcement bars. To do this, the number of connecting rings must be multiplied by the number of joining points. It turns out: 44*4=176 fastenings.

In total, reinforcing the strip foundation with fiberglass reinforcement of the building from the example above will require purchasing:

108 meters of corrugated reinforcement with a diameter of 10 millimeters;
70 meters of smooth reinforcement with a diameter of 8 millimeters;
176 plastic fasteners for joining the frame.

Despite some apparent cumbersomeness of the above calculation, any non-professional is quite capable of performing it independently.

Foundation installation procedure

Despite the differences in characteristics and features of the use of steel and fiberglass, the instructions for installing the foundation remain identical. The stages of work are general in nature and do not change depending on the type of material used.

First of all, it is necessary to construct wooden formwork of the appropriate size for the building project.
After preparing the base for the future foundation, it is necessary to assemble a frame made of fiberglass reinforcement. To do this, the rods must be securely connected to each other using wire or plastic clamps, while observing the cell spacing required by regulations. Considering that, as opposed to steel products, fiberglass reinforcement cannot be statically fixed by welding, special attention must be paid to the bundle of rods; the susceptibility of the foundation to displacement depends on the strength of the frame. Since fiberglass rods practically do not bend, special corners made of the same polymer can be used at the joints of the walls of a future building.
After completing the frame assembly, the formwork is filled with concrete. Calculating the volume of the solution is quite simple. The perimeter of the base must be multiplied by its height and width. After pouring, further continuation of work is possible only after the concrete has completely hardened, which will not happen earlier than two or three weeks.

The use in construction of products made from new generation materials, which can safely include fiberglass, due to their lightness, strength, reliability and durability, can significantly reduce the cost of work while simultaneously increasing their quality.

Foundation made of fiberglass reinforcement: features, amount of material, calculation instructions, step-by-step actions

Instead of classic heavy reinforcement, use modern materials. This article will tell you how to build a foundation from fiberglass reinforcement.

Today, the use of the latest technologies in the construction of houses and industrial buildings is very common. The use of old technologies is now practically not implemented anywhere. The constant demand for newer and more advanced technologies also left its mark on the laying of the house frame, where new fiberglass reinforcement was needed for the foundation.

All kinds of foundations allow you to make it as strong and durable as possible. The operation of foundation reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement has shown positive results and reviews from both builders and buyers. Such composite products have a number of advantages over others:

Using the composition when completely immersed in water
Completely moisture resistant
Withstands extremes and very high temperatures
Not afraid of exposure to chemicals

Building a foundation using reinforcement

The foundation is the main and, perhaps, the most important part of any structure. Improper installation can lead to the fragility of the foundation and complete deformation of the house. The use of reinforcement is often necessary to maintain and increase the strength of the foundation itself. Such fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation is fastened together into one frame, which will then be filled with concrete mixture to obtain a single monolithic slab.

To get a high-quality frame, you should think about purchasing a special tool that will allow you to quickly deal with the bending of the reinforcement and its rods without loss of quality.

At the moment, there are various filling options:

Tape
Columnar
Monolithic

For the construction of residential buildings, a strip or monolithic variety is most often used. To create this kind of foundation, it is necessary to use reinforcement to make the frame.

The variety of this kind of construction assortment, from the usual classics to the innovations of technological progress, simply captivates the eye and confuses almost any buyer. Many people don’t even know half of these materials, although they are more convenient and practical than the classic old building materials.

One of the new introductions was the appearance of fiberglass reinforcement on the market. Not many people know what fiberglass reinforcement is and do not use it to the extent it deserves. It consists of rods with a diameter of 4-20 mm and any construction length as required.

It is often used in the construction of civil, road and concrete structures with prestressed and stressed reinforcement of the base, instead of conventional classical reinforcement. Such reinforcement is an almost eternal material that is not afraid of any impacts or sudden temperature changes. It can withstand enormous loads and is very maneuverable, which allows it to be used in the heaviest buildings. Selecting the required length significantly facilitates installation and increases the strength of the structure, in comparison with the connecting characteristics of other fittings that are mounted by fastening to each other.

The advantages include:

Construction technology

To build a strip foundation, precise calculations and a specific action plan are used. To begin with, dig a trench 30-80 cm in length. Its dimensions are calculated from the necessary measurement data, weight and area of the future structure.

Then, depending on the type of land, conditions and overall mass, the filling depth is calculated. The usual standard depth ranges from 60-80 cm, but with individual calculations, the depth of the strip foundation can be completely different.

A kind of cushion layer is created with the addition of gravel, which will improve installation. It needs to be watered very heavily. Fiberglass reinforcement is created for a strip foundation with an area of 10 mm. Its installation takes place on bricks or other possible supports with the expectation that 5-10 cm remains from the bottom.

The initial rods are mounted with a registration and program distance from the walls of the pit of 10 cm, then the vertical and transverse posts are tightly secured at an equal interval of 40 cm. The first two upper rods of reinforcement are fixed on them and tied together with transverse rods.

The form (formwork) of the foundation is made. To do this, take an edged board 25 mm wide and knock together rectangles of the required size (taking into account the measurements of the foundation), which should be about 30 cm above the ground level. After this, a box is assembled from the prepared rectangles and installed in place of the foundation, Place spacer bars and sprinkle the soil.

The finished form is filled with concrete. If support pillars were used, they must be mounted and precisely aligned with the concrete pouring level. This is all done based on calculations and data obtained.

Selection of materials

In principle, different materials can be used for the future structure. If the foundation has to be laid on the site of a groundwater area, then it is necessary to think about possible drainage channels and lay special waterproofing. To reduce the pressure on the brick wall and its base, the width of the foundation should be made wider than the width of the walls.

This is explained by the possible installation on poles and the phenomenon of a kind of solid sailboat under such conditions, and if the foundation is not too deep, the supports may not withstand the load and pull out.

The reinforcement process is carried out using an equipped special hook and steel wire. A reinforced foundation can withstand heavy loads, and a fence installed on it can last for many years.

Stages of foundation construction

To install a strip foundation yourself, you need:

accurate calculation of land characteristics
climatic, tectonic and hydraulic data at the site of the future fence
digging a trench
calculation of fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation
box installation
laying the formwork
drainage and hydraulic channels (if necessary)
waterproofing (if necessary)
pouring strip foundation with concrete
drying out the foundation

Any beginning of foundation installation begins with studying the area of the future installation: its characteristic above-ground and underground data, soil type, air humidity. The time of year for pouring also plays a significant role.

It is preferable to perform such operations in the warm season, when periods of frost and rain have passed. When laying a foundation in the fall or winter, you can end up with a poor, cracked foundation and poor support for the building as a result. Strict adherence to the calculations given for digging a trench will help you avoid mistakes and get a good result. When using a plywood sheet for formwork, it is possible to paint it, which will be clearly visible for pouring concrete.

Summing up

As can be seen from the list, making a strip foundation on fiberglass reinforcement is not difficult and does not require special knowledge. Having understood what fiberglass reinforcement is, everyone can significantly reduce their time and money for installing a box and at the same time benefit from the quality and strength of the material.

The only condition is that the construction be carried out in stages. Each stage should begin after the previous one is completely completed. When installing a foundation, calculations of depth and thickness are very important, and software calculations on a computer help with this. By calculating future data in this way, you can significantly reduce the time spent on unnecessary measurements and unnecessary consumption of materials.

The choice of materials for installation and manufacturing also plays a significant role. It is worth giving preference to high-quality, certified material and components when receiving it. Using good material and accurately following the action plan is the key to obtaining a reliable foundation in the future.

It is worth noting that the entire building and its future condition will directly depend on the correctness of the foundation, since it is the main support for the future building and its installation should be taken as seriously as possible.

Plastic reinforcement for foundation – This is a modern material, which is a type of composite variety. It is used in construction together with its steel counterpart to strengthen the base. There are both positive and negative reviews about it. The main advantages of this material: light weight and a number of strength parameters. Plastic reinforcement replaces steel rods not only in the construction of foundations, but also in the construction of roads, bridges, walls, ceilings, and fences.

Rebar for foundation reinforcement

Traditionally, metal rods were used for reinforcement. Their composite analogues appeared relatively recently, at the end of the second half of the 20th century, and gradually began to replace metal products.

Composite reinforcement, based on the material from which it is made, is divided into the following types:

glass composite (plastic, fiberglass) - ASC;
carbon composite – AUK;
aramidocomposite - AAC;
basalt composite – ABK;
combined – ACC.

The first option is most widespread. This is due, on the one hand, to its lower price (compared to analogues), and on the other hand, to acceptable performance properties.

Plastic fittings are made from a mixture of the following materials:

glass fiber staple;
polymeric binders, for example, epoxy-diane or epoxy resins;
additives intended to improve the technical characteristics of products.

The technology for the production of fiberglass products consists of the following algorithm of actions:

the fiberglass is unwound, forming bundles from it;
by impregnating them with special binding compounds, the desired cross-section of the products is obtained;
The bundles treated with a polymer substance are wrapped in a spiral with a fiberglass cord;
the resulting blanks are polymerized in an oven;
the rods are cut into fragments of the required length or wound into coils.

Plastic fittings can be smooth or with ribs (profiled).

The fiberglass frame is formed in horizontal rows in the form of a grid, secured at a certain level by vertical jumpers. Longitudinal rods take on the main load, so they are chosen with a larger cross-section and laid in increments of no more than 0.3 m. The distance between the transverse and vertical rods varies from 0.3 to 0.8 m depending on the expected load. Also, their diameter may be smaller than that of longitudinal reinforcement.

The intersections of the rods and the corners are fixed using plastic ties or knitting wire with a cross-section of 0.8-1.2 mm. The last option involves using a special gun or a tying hook. The rods are joined with an overlap.

Plastic fittings are a modern alternative to steel products. The laying of fiberglass rods for reinforcing the base is carried out according to a scheme similar to metal rods.

Technical characteristics of plastic fittings

Fiberglass products belong to the group of non-metallic products. Its production is regulated by GOST 31938-2012, which has been in force since 2012. The document defines the following points:

dimensions, classification and parameters of products;
requirements for labeling, packaging, appearance, raw materials for manufacturing, indicators and characteristics of finished products, as well as their environmental safety;
material quality control;
rules for its reception, storage and transportation.

A metal and plastic frame is designed to hold the monolith together so that it can withstand the required loads. As a result, the service life of the entire structure will be extended. Performing the same functions as steel products, fiberglass rods are characterized by the same indicators:

weight;
nominal and outer diameter;
periodic profile step;
cross-sectional area (nominal).

The outer diameter of the rods ranges from 4 to 32 mm. Its value corresponds to the profile number. It is allowed to produce rods of other sections, but subject to compliance with the requirements of the above standard. Reinforcement with a cross-section of 4-8 mm is allowed to be supplied in coils or on drums, and the rest - in packs of 50 or 100 m.

When the cross-section changes, the weight of the product changes, which ranges from 0.02 to 0.42 kg per meter (linear).

The regulated length of the rods is 0.5-12 m. This parameter changes in increments of 0.5 m.

Finished products according to GOST 31938-2012 must be free of the following defects:

shells;
chips;
heaving of the winding with its gusts;
delamination;
dents with fiber damage.

A comparison of the performance indicators of various types of composite reinforcement is presented in the table.

Index	Unit	ACC	ABK	AAK
Tensile modulus	GPa	100	50	70
Maximum compressive strength	MPa	300	300	300
Ultimate tensile strength	MPa	1000	800	1400
Maximum cross-cut strength	MPa	190	150	190

The table shows the minimum values of the specified parameters, except for the temperature.

Gradually, glass-composite products are replacing steel ones when reinforcing foundations. A number of manufacturers coat smooth rods with a sand material to improve their adhesion to concrete.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Plastic products are inferior in strength to other types of composite reinforcement, but beat them in price.

The advantages of fiberglass reinforcement compared to its metal counterpart are the following:

lower cost;
less weight: with the same diameter and length, plastic products are 5-7 times lighter;
the value of the tensile strength is 3 times greater, which makes it possible in practice to reduce the cross-section of the rods under identical loads;
not subject to the destructive effects of corrosion caused by chemicals or water, thereby increasing the service life of the material;
higher speed of installation of frame structures;
thermal insulation properties;
dielectric characteristics;
ease of creating frames of oval and round shapes (with curves);
ease of transportation.

Among the disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement, there is an insufficiently developed regulatory framework, which does not allow developers of construction projects to carry out the required calculations. Also problematic is the comparison of steel products with composite products. The necessary data provided by manufacturers is not always reliable.

The low resistance of the material to elevated temperatures (more than 60 degrees) and fire is also a significant disadvantage. Also, plastic rods can withstand less lateral loads than steel rods.

In practice, it is often required that the mounted frame be rigid, and fiberglass rods are more ductile in this regard compared to metal ones. This causes some inconvenience during work, complicating the entire process.

The light weight of glass composite rods helps reduce the final weight of the entire structure. Due to this, the load on the soil becomes less and the amount of shrinkage of the building is reduced.

Selection of foundation reinforcement

Individual developers are increasingly installing reinforcement cages for foundations from fiberglass rods. Before starting construction work, the question arises of choosing a quality material among many offers from different companies.

Initially, you should decide on the required diameter of the rods. It depends on the following factors:

load-bearing characteristics of the soil at the construction site;
the expected load on the foundation from the building under construction with all its contents and snow.

The weight of the building depends on the material from which the walls, ceilings and roof will be created.

you need to purchase only products from well-known manufacturers from official dealers (distributors) so that there are guarantees of their quality;
Having carefully examined the material, you should buy products without defects: delaminations, dents, cavities, chips, tears or scuffing of the winding;
if it is necessary to redistribute the load acting on the base evenly, then it is better to give preference to rods with ribs;
To give the structure the desired shape, smooth reinforcing bars are used.

The strength of the monolith and the durability of the entire structure will largely depend on the quality of the purchased reinforcement. The use of certified material is one of the keys to constructing a reliable strip, slab or column foundation. The purchased product must be free of defects.

Area of use

The scope of use of plastic reinforcement is identical to the scope of use of steel products.

Fiberglass composite rods replace metal ones in the construction of the following objects:

bridges;
walls;
floors;
foundations of different types: columnar, strip, slab;
fencing;
highways and sidewalks;
in general, any reinforced structures intended for subsequent filling with mortar.

Quite often, polymer rods are used instead of steel parts during the construction of frame or wooden buildings.

It is easier and more convenient to work with the composite type of reinforcement yourself, and at the same time the whole process is accompanied by less labor costs than the construction of metal structures.

The value of the coefficient of linear expansion of concrete is identical to this parameter for plastic reinforcement. This reduces the likelihood of deformation and cracking when the solution hardens.

A comparison of plastic fittings with metal is presented in the video below.

Plastic reinforcement for foundations has conflicting reviews. There are different opinions expressed for and against this product. In favor of choosing this material is its light weight, high tensile strength, and chemical inertness. Also, a frame made of glass-composite rods is faster and easier to install than one made of metal. If you buy products from well-known manufacturers, you can protect yourself from low-quality goods.

To improve the strength characteristics of concrete, iron reinforcement is traditionally used. With the development of construction technologies, metal is being replaced by composite materials, including fiberglass. It is non-corrosive, lightweight and durable. Reinforcement of this type is successfully used in monolithic construction. In this article we will try to answer the natural question: which reinforcement is better for the foundation?

Composite reinforcement varies both in composition and appearance

Composition and structure of composite reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement rods are a bundle of fiberglass, each 15 microns thick, impregnated with epoxy or other resins and having a corrugated surface for better adhesion to concrete. A properly constructed rod should have a central core of fibers that is spirally braided with a second layer of fiberglass.

The type of fiber material determines the properties and name of the reinforcement. In addition to fiberglass, there are carbon fiber and basalt products.

The diameter of the reinforcement bar is in the range of 4-18 mm, and the maximum length is limited only by the settings of the production equipment. The density of fiberglass is only 1.9 t/m3, and 1 cubic meter of steel reinforcement weighs at least 7 tons. Due to this property, composites have been used in the production of lightweight concrete since the 60s of the last century. The average service life is at least 80 years.

The corrugated surface of the reinforcement promotes its adhesion to concrete

The production of fiberglass rods for concrete reinforcement is possible only in factory conditions, which reduces the likelihood of buying a low-quality product that does not meet regulatory requirements. Composite reinforcement does not rust, does not conduct electricity and is environmentally friendly.

Advantages of using fiberglass

The properties of steel and reinforced concrete made with its use have been well studied, and all the strengths and weaknesses of such a material are known. Composite materials have recently appeared in the public domain, so let’s look at their advantages in detail:

the lighter weight (more than 3 times) of the structure reduces the load on the foundation and soil, making transportation of building materials to the construction site simple and cheap;
very high tensile load (650 MPa for fiberglass versus 400 MPa for steel) makes it indispensable in critical places;
resistance to atmospheric and chemical processes, does not lose strength due to corrosion, like metal;
the coefficient of thermal expansion of composite materials is very close to the same parameters of concrete, and this reduces the likelihood of cracks;
the low thermal conductivity of plastic helps retain heat in the building and basement;
good resistance to mechanical wear; in this respect, fiberglass is not inferior to iron;
does not interfere with radio waves and does not conduct electricity;
It is convenient to work with plastic, no welding machine is required, and all connections are fixed with flexible clamps or binding wire;
low price significantly reduces the cost of monolithic concrete work.

Composite reinforcement can be delivered in the trunk of a car

These properties make fiberglass reinforcement indispensable in the construction of foundations and pouring monolithic foundations for building a house.

In practice, composite reinforcement for foundations has gained the greatest popularity in low-rise housing construction, which is explained by the following factors.

Disadvantages of non-metallic reinforcement

There are no materials that are ideal in everything, and composite reinforcement has a number of features that impose restrictions on its widespread use. Disadvantages of non-metallic elements of a concrete structure:

the modulus of elasticity of steel is 4 times higher than that of fiberglass, so floor slabs and load-bearing structural elements are made from iron reinforcement;
plastic cannot be welded, only knitting together or using reinforcement with metal tips;
any composite rods cannot be bent at right angles; special corners are taken for connection or tied end-to-end with an overlap;
mechanical properties deteriorate with heating, and at a temperature of 600 degrees, complete destruction of the structure occurs;
construction teams have little experience working with composites and lack of certification for most of the objects being built (metal reinforcement is specified by default).

Composite reinforcement does not bend in corners

The combination of metal components and plastic rods of various diameters in the design will help to minimize the shortcomings. This mutual combination is considered optimal and reliable.

Features of application in different types of foundations

To choose which reinforcement is best to use for the foundation, you need to take into account all the above factors. The most common types of foundation on which composite material can be used are shallow strip, grillage and monolithic slab.

Composite reinforcement is well suited for strip foundations of small buildings

For them, reinforcement is taken with a thickness of 8-12 mm and with special notches for reliable adhesion to the mortar. Smooth rods of type A1 can be used for light outbuildings and as beacons when pouring the foundation.

An example of the use of plastic reinforcement in a slab foundation

Features of house foundation reinforcement:

the number of rods is calculated based on the method of laying and the depth of the reinforcing layers;
for a strip foundation, 2 such layers are needed, for a slab foundation, one and a sand cushion under the base are enough;
the cell pitch for fiberglass should not exceed 500 mm;
the corners of the foundation are covered with special corner elements, because butt joints in the corners are not allowed;
tying of reinforcement at joints is carried out with wire, staples and a special gun or plastic clamps;
to evenly distribute the frame in the thickness of the concrete, reinforcement clamps will be required, the distance to the surface is 1-2 centimeters;
The columnar foundation is placed below the freezing depth (usually from 0.7 to 1.5 meters depending on the region), which eliminates its movement and ruptures.

Composite reinforcement can be used in the construction of a pile foundation for a small building

Important! When pouring the solution into the formwork, check that all parts of the frame are hidden by concrete. Where the reinforcement reaches the surface, cracks will form and further destruction of the foundation will occur.

Steel or plastic: which is better for the foundation?

Fiberglass is not a substitute for metal in reinforcing concrete.

Most buildings and technical structures are erected using metal rods. The foundations of multi-storey buildings, industrial production, and power plants are made of reinforced concrete. Composite reinforcement can be used in low-rise and country house construction, where high compressive and bending strength is not required. Foundations are made from it:

strip for baths, cottages, outbuildings;
roads, supports for poles, fences;
berths, docks, shoreline strengthening;
sewerage facilities located in water.

Steel reinforcement can be replaced with plastic reinforcement of smaller diameter

The use of fiberglass reinforcement for the construction of the foundation is justified in most cases. This part of the house experiences the least dynamic loads, and the physical properties of composites are sufficient for a reliable structure. The reduction in the price of the building is facilitated by its light weight and ease of installation, which does not require special tools.

To summarize, we note that for those who build with their own hands, composite reinforcement is extremely interesting. The following video provides detailed information on this topic.

Until recently, reinforcement made of metal rods was considered not only the most reliable, but also the only acceptable option for creating a strong “skeleton” of the foundations of buildings for any purpose. The material that will be discussed did not appear yesterday (there are references to the experience of its use since the late 70s). But composite reinforcement did not gain popularity, so they forgot about it in our country for a while. But in foreign countries it was actively used. Therefore, we can talk about the successful use of composite rods for reinforcing concrete structures. And judging the strength and stability of such structures is not unfounded, but based on facts.

Some myths from unscrupulous manufacturers and sellers

Fiberglass reinforcement, although not a new material (as it turned out), is unfamiliar to most consumers. The fact that advertising positions it as an innovation is nothing to worry about. It’s worse when, taking advantage of the ignorance of potential customers, the manufacturer tries in every possible way to increase the selling price of the product, pointing out the supposedly unique properties of its composite reinforcement.

Composite reinforcement photo

While an ordinary private developer is collecting information about it bit by bit, getting acquainted with the properties and features of its application, and large construction companies are calculating the income and expenditure side of the budget when switching to a composite instead of metal, rumors are growing and multiplying. And they require a reasoned and honest answer.

One of the most common myths can be debunked right now.

Externally, this building material is light rods with various shades of yellow (if they are made of fiberglass) or pronounced black (provided that basalt was used). However, an attempt to make the product more attractive in appearance, namely the addition of coloring pigments of various shades, made it possible to introduce colored fittings to the market. And a myth immediately appeared: these additives do not simply color the rods, but are special components that improve the characteristics of the material. Serious manufacturers give a clear answer: color does not affect the quality of composite reinforcement.

In addition to improving the presentation, there is also a very noble impulse behind such experiments with color: to highlight rods of different diameters.

Reading the regulatory documentation for building materials will help you not to fall for the tricks of dishonest sellers.

Application of composite reinforcement

Composite reinforcement is gradually gaining space from its metal counterpart in the area of laying the foundations of low-rise buildings. Glass, carbon, basalt or armide fibers are used as the basis for its production. They are bonded to each other by adding polymers.

Fiberglass reinforcement can also be produced in the form of smooth rods, but when it is supplemented with a spiral winding of glass thread, more reliable adhesion to the poured solution is ensured. So it’s better to give preference to the second option.

Experts cite a number of advantages of composite reinforcement:

ease of transportation and use due to low weight. In addition, no welding is used during installation;
resistance to various aggressive environments;
corrosion resistance;
tensile strength.

To create a foundation, composite reinforcement of a certain diameter is required. The section is calculated individually for each object. It depends on the number of floors, the complexity of the project and a number of other reasons. It is important that, while not being inferior in strength to metal rods of the same diameter, composite reinforcement will be lighter in weight.

Composite reinforcement for foundations

When laying a foundation, composite rods are used in the same way as steel rods. A frame is assembled from them according to the recommendations for a certain type of base with the required pitch, and at the intersection points the reinforcement elements are fastened with ties or binding wire.
Developers and manufacturers do not give recommendations prohibiting the use of composite reinforcement for the construction of any type of foundation. That is, if the developer wishes, any foundations for a low-rise building can be made using fiberglass reinforcement.
But you can accurately determine in which foundations composite rods have proven themselves to be the best. We are talking about strip or column methods for buildings no more than three floors high. For those who want to build: a private house, a cottage, a bathhouse, a garage, a solid building for economic purposes.

The service life of elements of non-metallic origin is quite long - 80 years according to minimum calculations. Their cost may be only slightly different from the price of conventional steel rods, but it is quite possible to save on transportation. The fittings, packed in a bay, can easily fit into the trunk of a passenger car.
Construction conditions and technologies vary. Where reinforced concrete structures will be operated in an environment that is aggressive to metal, it makes sense to use non-metallic reinforcement.
Composite reinforcement, selected with equal strength to a reinforced concrete frame, will create a reliable foundation. And it will last much longer (due to resistance to the destructive effects of the environment and “complete indifference” to the corrosion process).

For massive concrete buildings, the following types of fiberglass reinforcement are used:

External. Justified in cases where concrete structures are exposed to destructive effects in an unfavorable environment.
- The characteristics of composite reinforcement, produced specifically for these purposes, make it possible to create a protective barrier around the structure. It is impenetrable to both air and water. This method is called continuous. Sometimes, when using it, they do the opposite. First, the frame is made, and then it is filled with concrete.
- The discrete method means that composite meshes or strips of reinforcement strengthen the base from the outside.
Internal. It is also divided into two ways.

Discrete reinforcement assumes that composite meshes, individual rods, or even volumetric frames created from many elements will be placed inside the structure.
Dispersed method somewhat simpler - crushed glass fibers are added to the total mass for pouring. The resulting material is called glass fiber reinforced concrete.
A joint. The combined method got its name not only because of the simultaneous use of two types of reinforcement, but also because it allows a combination of fiberglass and metal rods. It is used when significant weight loads are expected on the foundation.

Diameter of composite reinforcement

If you have never encountered such a problem before, the following information may be useful.

Due to its design features, metal reinforcement has several indicators that characterize the diameter:
- external is measured along the ribs protruding along the profile;
- the inner one belongs to the rod itself;
- nominal, which is expressed as an integer, is the profile number.
They do not match; the diameter measured on the outside exceeds the nominal value. You should be extremely careful not to buy fittings with a smaller diameter than required based on these dimensions.
Determining the above dimensions for fiberglass reinforcement has nuances. Its outer diameter is determined in exactly the same way as for steel. There are some difficulties when trying to obtain internal size values.
The fact is that composite reinforcement does not have a perfectly round rod shape. This is due to the fact that numerous lines producing this building material, due to certain features, cannot maintain such accuracy. So the fiberglass rods when cut have a shape tending towards an oval. And the larger the diameter of the rod, the more clearly the oval is visible. When measuring such a product for the first time, the consumer will receive one result. By rotating the rod 90° and repeating the procedure, he will see different numbers. The indicators should be summed and divided by 2. The result can be considered an average indicator of the internal diameter of the composite reinforcement.

In order to carry out calculation work and when purchasing material, you need to know the nominal diameter. In the conditions available to a simple home craftsman, this indicator cannot be obtained. For those for whom solving such a problem is vital, there is one trick.
The nominal diameter is essentially the average number between the outer and inner gauge sizes. Further, the sparser the ribs are located on the rod, the more the internal diameter approaches the nominal value.

That is, you can catch an unscrupulous seller trying to pass off the outer diameter numbers as its nominal size like this:

you need to measure the outer diameter;
take measurements of the internal diameter;
compare the number given by the seller with both indicators.

If the outer diameter coincides with the nominal number according to the seller, you should buy the fittings elsewhere.

Weight of composite reinforcement

Methods for connecting composite reinforcement

Among the advantages of composite reinforcement listed above, one of the points indicated that its use does not involve welding. The rods are assembled into a frame by tying them together.

Plastic ties are used less frequently, but builders value tying wire more. This material is more traditional and has not yet been eradicated by new trends. It is carried out in the following ways:

using an automatic pistol;
using a crochet hook for construction (simple configuration);
using a screw (motorized) construction crochet hook.

The popularity of the last two options is explained by the availability of the tool. It’s rare that anyone can afford to purchase an expensive pistol just to build one foundation. Some large companies, however, practice renting out expensive but very simplified equipment. And if such an opportunity arises, then it’s worth taking advantage of it.

Among the arguments for automating the knitting process are the following:

It is quite obvious that mechanized labor is more effective and productive;
Having such an “assistant” you can avoid overpaying hired workers. With its use, one person can handle the strapping on their own;
the gun makes equally smooth and strong knots on the entire frame;
the tool is functional at any temperature;
A powerful battery allows you to work uninterruptedly all day long.

Particularly advanced models of this tool are equipped with a device that allows you to tie rods without bending close to them.

Foundation with composite reinforcement and construction in earthquake-prone areas

Another proof of the excellent strength characteristics of composite reinforcement can be seen in its use in other areas of construction that require withstanding significant loads: walls and floors of buildings, road surfaces, coastal structures, bridges.
But it’s rare to find mention that composite reinforcement can withstand impressive earthquakes. About five years ago, the Kucherenko Research Institute of Building Structures studied the behavior of this material under large dynamic loads. Reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm was tested by an “earthquake” from 5 to 10 points. With its help, prototypes of panels were reinforced, which were subjected to appropriate loads and placed on vibration platforms. The material remained intact up to magnitude nine seismic activity!

Composite reinforcement video

Fiberglass reinforcement is a durable and easy-to-use material. Today it is a worthy replacement for metal rods, and its use for pouring foundations for low-rise construction can be considered not only justified, but also an extremely desirable action on the part of the developer. This is why there are so many positive reviews about composite reinforcement among private developers.