Fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation: features and installation rules

Every year, new materials appear on the construction market, which differ from old ones by any characteristics. Reinforcement fiberglass type is no exception. This product has a lot of advantages over the usual steel "skeletons".

Specifications

Glass fittings appeared in the 1960s. Due to its high cost, it was used exclusively in the conditions of the Far North, where metal structures were quickly exposed to corrosive effects. Composite materials were used most often for the construction of bridge supports. Due to the rapid development of the chemical industry, the price of fiberglass plastic fittings has greatly decreased.This made it possible to become an affordable product, manifesting itself only from the good side in all building constructions for various purposes.

The wide popularity of glass armature contributed to the development of GOST 31938-2012where requirements for the manufacture of valves and methods of testing are indicated. In accordance with this state standard, composite fiberglass reinforcement is manufactured with a diameter from 0.4 to 3.2 cm. However, materials with a diameter of 0.6 are in great demand; 0.8 and 1 cm.

In the technical document, in addition to the standards for geometry and diameter of reinforcement, the requirements for the outer surface of products are also indicated. On the surface of the reinforcement should be no delamination, chips, dents and other defects.

Fiberglass material is a high-strength rods of different diameters. They are made of composite material - fiberglass. Mostly they are used in concrete structures, as well as for installation instead of iron reinforcement. Fiberglass is subjected to painting, decor, covered with PVC films, and also gives in to all types of mechanical processing.Depending on the reinforcing additive, glass-composite, carbon-composite, and combined glass reinforcement are distinguished.

When choosing glass fittings for the installation of the foundation of a structure, it is necessary to take into account such technical characteristics as:

  • the upper temperature limit for the use of glass fittings is more than + 60ºС;
  • ultimate strength during stretching is the ratio of the applied power to the sectional area of ​​the part. Glass composite reinforcement has a maximum strength of 900 MPa, and carbon composite - 1400 MPa;
  • tensile elasticity for carbon composite materials is higher than for glass composite 3 times;
  • ultimate strength during compression for all types of glass fittings must be higher than 300 MPa;
  • the ultimate strength of the transverse section for the glass armature should be at least 150 MPa, and for the carbon composite - at least 350 MPa.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of using composite polymer products are as follows:

  • easy transportation due to the possibility of coiling the material in the bay;
  • small costs in the construction of their own hands, because the materials can be picked up from the shop on their vehicles;
  • small size allows you to do without a huge number of workers and trucks;
  • corrosion resistance. Fiberglass is not afraid of any moisture or aggressive media;
  • lack of heat-conducting properties, since concrete structures must be covered with a layer of insulation for high thermal insulation - in order to avoid heat loss. For this reason, the poor conductivity of the heat of the composite practically does not affect the quality of the structure;
  • dielectric properties provide electrical safety;
  • low weight allows to reduce the cost of transportation and loading and loading processes, as well as simplifies the strengthening of the foundation;
  • high service life ensures the durability of the structure up to 3 times, which is equal to 50–80 years. In this case, there is no need to carry out expensive repairs;
  • resistance to temperature extremes. Glass fittings withstand a temperature range from -70 to +200 degrees, therefore, no cracks will appear on the surface of the product over time;
  • environmental friendliness. Fiberglass fittings are completely safe in terms of toxicity. It meets all European standards, and also does not harm the surrounding nature;
  • radio transparency - there is no screen and interference for radio waves, mobile communications and the Internet.

The use of composite material has the following disadvantages:

  • can not bend, so you need to make schemes for the manufacturer;
  • cannot use welding. For reinforcement composite applied knitting;
  • instability to temperature extremes. At a temperature of +600 degrees, steel loses its useful properties, and composite materials lose their bearing capacity even earlier.

When comparing steel and fiberglass reinforcement, the latter will have more advantages, namely:

  • resistance to corrosive effects, because they are not afraid of either acids or alkalis;
  • low thermal conductivity, as the glass armature is made from polymer products. As a result, during the construction of foundations there is no need for cold bridges;
  • in comparison with steel reinforcement, fiberglass does not conduct electric current and does not form radio interference;
  • iron products weigh up to 10 times more than fiberglass;
  • The pricing policy for the two types of reinforcement is almost the same, but fiberglass plastic is much more convenient to use. On average, fiberglass products are more expensive than metal by 30%, but manufacturers assure that the diameter of steel reinforcement is larger than that of fiberglass.For example, metal fittings with a diameter of 0.8 cm and a length of 1 meter cost 10 rubles, and fiberglass - 16 rubles. But at the same time the diameter of fiberglass reinforcement can be taken not 0.8 cm, but 0.6 cm, but the price for 0.6 cm will be 10 rubles. And this means that with the purchase you get almost the same cost as with the purchase of metal fittings;
  • Installation of fiberglass reinforcement usually goes without seams, as they are produced in the form of rods up to 150 meters. When using iron reinforcement, the most unstable areas are joints. And the use of fiberglass materials in the construction of foundations of unstable areas in the reinforcing base is not;
  • Another of the most important advantages of fiberglass is that the buyer can purchase the volume of material strictly as needed;
  • transportation of fiberglass products is much easier than metal. Bars and coils with fiberglass-type fittings will fit even in a passenger car;
  • The parameter of thermal expansion of fiberglass is almost the same with concrete, therefore, when reinforcing the foundation and concrete structures do not form various defects.

According to experts, glass-composite fittings do have the above-mentioned positive and negative sides. However, its main task is to strengthen the foundation, and in view of the low level of material strength, this is very difficult to achieve.

For this reason, most buyers prefer conventional fittings. Many also wonder how this material can be strengthened if it cannot be welded and twisted. Some builders in order to reduce the price of the foundations used plastic bottles. As a result, such structures are not destroyed for many decades. Most engineers have found the use of fiberglass reinforcement to be very effective, as it allows to significantly accelerate the construction of any structure, which also reduces material costs.

Scope of application

Fiberglass fittings have gained widespread use in the field of industrial construction, and have only just begun to be introduced in the construction of private houses.

In the construction of cottage objects, composite materials are necessary for shore protection and reinforcement of the following elements:

  • fencing concrete structures. But do not apply in supporting structures and floors;
  • most varieties of foundations. The process of reinforcement of tape-type foundations with the use of fiberglass can do without the calculated part, since the product is light and resistant to harmful factors. But nevertheless, it should be used with extreme caution, especially for large building structures and foundations on heaving, subsiding soils and in soils with a high content of groundwater;
  • gas concrete and foam concrete;
  • roads, where the increased impact of average environmental factors;
  • masonry. Antifreeze and other components are added to masonry mortars that impair the reliability of steel materials. Plastic composite fittings are not afraid of any additives.

But when reinforcing masonry, the use of fiberglass reinforcement is controversial. Professionals say that glass-reinforced glass with a diameter of more than 0.6 cm should be used for laying concrete walls, and the corners are reinforced with steel material. The result is a combination of two types of materials.

The use of glass fittings is justified only in the case when tougher requirements are imposed on resistance regarding the effects of corrosion, thermal conductivity and the conductive properties of reinforcing products.

Reinforcement technology

When reinforcing various types of foundations, reinforcement bars with a diameter of 0.8 cm are used.

When doing the installation by hand, follow the following sequence:

  • when installing the formwork, its parts are wrapped in parchment paper so that they can be used several times;
  • using a horizontal level on the details of the formwork make the markup to which the concrete solution will be poured. This is necessary for the uniform distribution of the concrete composition around the perimeter of the foundation;
  • glass reinforcement elements for strengthening of any kinds of foundations are covered with a mixture more than 5 cm thick. For this, bricks can also be used, which should be laid on the bottom of the structure;
  • Several rows of fiberglass reinforcement are placed on a row of bricks. Solid joints with no joints should be used. To calculate the required length of the rod,you must first measure the length of each side of the future foundation. Based on these values, you can unwind or cut the rods of the required length;
  • after laying the longitudinal row of rods go to the reinforcement of the cross bridges with plastic clamps;
  • make the upper part of the frame, which is exactly the same as the bottom. The size of a single cell is about 15 cm. Both levels are fixed with vertical bridges;
  • After knitting the reinforcement cage, the process of pouring the concrete composition begins. Experts recommend using concrete brand M400.

Competent calculation of fiberglass reinforcement will avoid unnecessary costs and additional problems due to the lack of reinforcing rods and purchase the right amount of product. The calculation for belt and plate types of foundations consists in determining the length and number of rods, based on the area of ​​the foundation and the pitch of the reinforcing mesh. It is necessary to take into account that the slab must have two reinforcing belts: the lower one and the upper one, which are fixed with vertical bars along the entire perimeter of the slab. The process of reinforcement of the column basement is different.Ribbed reinforcement strengthened vertically, and smooth - horizontally. The framework requires 3–4 rods, their length is equal to the height of the column. For large diameter pillars, more bars will be needed, and more than 4 horizontal bars are needed per pillar.

To calculate the optimal volume of a concrete solution, it is necessary to know the perimeter of the foundation, which is multiplied by its width and depth values. When pouring the mixture it is necessary to remember that it is necessary to tamp the solution in order to avoid the appearance of air bubbles.

        Concrete solution hardens for about 3 weeks. At this time, it is necessary to protect the surface of the poured foundation with polyethylene from moisture. In sunny weather, it is recommended to spray the surface with water.

        Most professionals argue that when laying gas and foam blocks the corners should be reinforced with metal fittings. Such a combination will give building structures even greater strength, stability and reliability. Often there are disputes about the need to knit glass fittings with plastic clamps. It is necessary to knit to strengthen the reinforcement cage before pouring the concrete mixture until the composition is completely dry. After solidification of the surface, it does not matter whether the frame is connected or not.

        In the video below you can see a review of fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation.

        Comments
         Author
        Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

        Entrance hall

        Living room

        Bedroom