28 Jan Rebar: The Unsung Hero of Construction

For most people, there is a sore lack of understanding and appreciation for the materials that make up our world. Who can blame them—the world moves at lightspeed, so people don’t have the time to observe and investigate their own world.

However, that means that simple and complex materials and tools that drive the modern world simply don’t get their due. One such unsung hero is the reinforcing bar, or rebar as it is normally referred to.

Rebar is absolutely everywhere; from our streets and bridges to our factories, rebar is probably there. In our latest blog, we discuss the simple but fantastic ways in which rebar provides a foundation for our lives!

Wait…What’s Rebar?

Rebar is short for reinforcing bar and is a bar made of steel and other materials. Rebar comes in many different sizes and types, employing supporting materials to affect performance.

Rebar is most often used in concrete construction projects. Concrete has incredibly high compressive strength but has a low tensile strength. This means that concrete holds up very well when compressed, but can give way to cracks incredibly easily. To account for this low tensile strength, rebar is used to reinforce the concrete.

As you can see in the picture above, rebar is constructed with grooves that will hold the concrete against being pulled apart by other forces.

Types Of Rebar

Okay, so rebar are just steel reinforcing bars. But there are actually quite a few different types of rebar that are used across the construction industry.

Carbon Steel Rebar

Also known as the “black bar”, carbon steel rebar is by far the most common type of rebar, and for good reason. It is incredibly versatile and can be made very economically. In most applications, carbon steel rebar works very well. It can corrode quickly in high humidity environments, though.

Epoxy-Coated Rebar

Epoxy-coated rebar is more expensive than carbon rebar but it has a special purpose. Typically, this type of rebar is used for applications where there may be corrosion (like saltwater). The epoxy coating helps protect the rebar from corroding.

Stainless Steel Rebar

Stainless steel rebar, much like the epoxy-coated rebar, is used in areas where corrosion is imminent. They are very expensive, but will likely save on repair/replacement costs long-term.

Galvanized Rebar

Galvanized rebar is rebar coated with zinc. Galvanized rebar is fantastic for wet and humid conditions.

There are admittedly many more specific types of rebar, but the above types represent commonly used. If you need a specific kind of rebar, our team would be happy to speak with you.

Trust Kalisch Steel With Your Next Project

At Kalisch Steel, we produce and install our own rebar using state-of-the-art techniques and methods. Our team can guarantee that your construction project is handled by a professional team with decades of experience. Give us a call today to learn more!