How to Make a Reinforced Concrete Beam
Many buildings require steel reinforced concrete beams, designed to withstand the loads imposed by the fabric of the structure, furniture and occupants. In many instances, prestressed concrete is used, which combines high tensile steel with concrete to create an incredibly strong beam.
This is vital, as using just concrete in a beam means it may bend and deflect, which could result in the concrete breaking. This could result in catastrophic failure of the structure.
Things You Will Need
- Steel rods
- Concrete
- Formwork
- Tensile machinery
Warning
All work should be carried out by trained persons.
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Fix the rods of steel to the tensile machinery, which will stretch them. Arrange the rods in two layers of an equal number, such as three rods above, three rods beneath.
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Build formwork around the steel rods, ensuring that the rods will run through the center of the concrete beam.
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Pour concrete into the formwork, ensuring all the steel is covered. Allow the concrete to cure for a few days.
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Release the steel rods from the machinery, and transport the beam to the desired location.
The Drip Cap
- Many buildings require steel reinforced concrete beams, designed to withstand the loads imposed by the fabric of the structure, furniture and occupants.
- This is vital, as using just concrete in a beam means it may bend and deflect, which could result in the concrete breaking.
- Fix the rods of steel to the tensile machinery, which will stretch them.
Writer Bio
Ben Wakeling graduated from Coventry University in 2009 with an upper second class honours B.Sc. degree in construction management. Wakeling is also a freelance writer, and works for a number of businesses, such as Demand Studios, Suite 101 and Academic Knowledge.
Photo Credits
- concrete beams open to blue sky. image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
- concrete beams open to blue sky. image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
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