How many reinforcing mesh do I need?

Determining the right number and type of reinforcing mesh for slab reinforcement depends on various things, such as diameter of the reinforcement, accessibility of the construction site, transport, etc. To determine the correct number, you find a comparison below between a BEC reinforcing mesh (reinforcing mesh with flying ends) and a PS reinforcing mesh (reinforcing mesh without flying ends). In addition, explanation about different solutions to achieve the correct lapping length.

The lapping length is the piece one bar overlaps with the another bar. This is necessary constructively to ensure that the tensile force in the concrete is taken over by the reinforcing steel.

Do you know the floor area? Then calculate the required number with the reinforcing mesh calculator .

Example floor of 5 x 3 meters:

• 4930mm (5000mm - 2 x 35mm concrete coverage) x 2930mm (3000mm - 2 x 35mm concrete coverage) = 14.44m² area
• Reinforcement specification Ø8mm / 150mm (according to the drawing).

What do I need?

BEC reinforcing mesh :

BEC335A (diameter Ø8mm and the wire spacing is 150mm)

14.44m² / 7.02m² (this is the working area of the BEC335A) = 2 pieces of BEC335A. In case of bottom and top reinforcement, then 28,88m² / 7,02m² = 4,1 -> 4 pieces BEC335A.

Advantages:

• Due to the size it is quick to apply.
• The flying ends for the lapping length have been prepared, so no unnecessary separate reinforcement.

Disadvantages:

• Due to the size not suitable for all construction sites because of accessibility and more difficult to transport.
• Not to be processed by one person due to weight.

PS reinforcing mesh :

PS335A (diameter Ø8mm and the wire spacing is 150mm)

Linking the reinforcing mesh by means of overlap. 490mm is the lapping length at Ø8mm. Click here for more information about overlap / lapping length:

14.44m² / 3.79m² (working area of the PS335A in case of overlap) = 3.8 -> 4 pieces PS335A. In case of bottom and top reinforcement, then 28,88m² / 3,79m² = 7,6 -> 8 pieces PS335A.

Advantages:

• Easy to transport and move.
• Process quickly and by one person.

Disadvantages:

• A lot of reinforcement in places where the mesh overlap each other in the corners, can be up to 8 layers.
• A lot of superfluous reinforcement in the floor.

Linking reinforcing mesh with lapping bars :

14.44m² / 6m² (area of the PS335A) = 2.4 -> 3 pieces PS335A. In case of bottom and top reinforcement, then 28,88m² / 6m² = 4,8 -> 5 pieces PS335A. All bars must be coupled with lapping bars of at least 2 x 490mm = 980mm. The number of lapping bars is 40 pieces per floor, so 2 x 40 = 80 pieces for bottom and top reinforcement.

Advantages:

• Easy to transport and move (according to lifting standards).
• To process with one person due to weight.

Disadvantages:

• More work to apply the separate bars.

Linking reinforcing mesh by means of joint mesh :

14.44m² / 6m² = 2.4 -> 2 pieces PS335A. The remaining 0.4 is solved by 2 joint mesh 335A (with a working area of 1.3 m²). In case of bottom and top reinforcement, 4 pieces PS335A + 4 pieces joint mesh 335A.

Advantages:

• Processing very quickly and efficiently and no superfluous reinforcement.
• Easy to transport and move (according to lifting standards).
• To process with one person due to weight.

More information about lapping length and the specifications of reinforcing mesh can be found at the customer service.