DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF REINFORCEMENT IN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE 1

Discussing the importance of Reinforcement in structural concrete

Research Methodology

Landel Smith

1607757

Friday 8 am

University of Technology, Jamaica

DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF REINFORCEMENT IN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE 2

Background

Reinforcement is a major constituent in structural concrete as it provides tensile strength to

concrete which is it sorely lacks. This enables the specific element to carry large amount of loads

making them very important in the building or infrastructure (ACI Education Bulletin E2-00,

2006). Reinforced concrete is a widely use construction element in Jamaica and as such the

proper use and placement of reinforcement is critical. There has been an increase in the number

of construction activities on the island thus there is greater need for understanding the

importance of reinforcement in structural concrete.

According to (Structural Concrete: Theory & Design, Hassoun & Al-Manaseer, 2012) concrete is

weak in tensile (pulling) forces but strong in compression and a concrete beam, for example,

would need steel reinforcement to prevent the beam from collapsing and to increase the moment

capacity of the beam.

As a University student studying Construction Engineering, it is hoped that this research will aid

students, Engineers, Contractors and Steel fixers in understanding the importance of

reinforcement in structural concrete while adding to the body of knowledge on this issue.

Problem Statement

In interacting with contractors and steel fixers in the Jamaican construction industry, it is evident

that these persons do not know the importance of reinforcement in structural members. This is

because they do not understand and appreciate fully the role reinforcement plays in concrete.
DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF REINFORCEMENT IN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE 3

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discuss and highlight the importance of reinforcement in

structural concrete construction in Jamaica.

Research Questions

What role does steel reinforcement play in structural concrete?

How does location influence the placement of steel Reinforcement in structural concrete?

How are steel reinforcement spaced in structural concrete?

What influences the size and type of steel reinforcement use in structural concrete?

Significance

The research will be done with the aim of improving the knowledge of University Students,

Contractors, Formen and Steel Fixers in the importance of reinforcement in structural concrete

members.

Key Definitions

Steel Reinforcement – Reinforcement steel is a steel bar or work of steel wires utilized as a

tension device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures to fortify and help the

solid under strain.

Structural Concrete - A special type of concrete that is capable of carrying a structural load or

forming an integral part of a structure.

Concrete - is a structural material consisting of a hard, chemically inert particulate substance,

known as aggregate (usually sand and gravel), that is bonded together by cement and water.
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APA/Reference

Britannica. (n.d.). Concrete. In Britannica.com dictionary. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from

https://www.britannica.com/technology/concrete-building-material

Britannica. (n.d.). Reinforced Concrete. In Britannica.com dictionary. Retrieved September 30,

2020, from https://www.britannica.com/technology/reinforced-concrete

The Free Dictionary. (n.d.). Structural Concrete. In encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com

dictionary. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from

https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/structural+concrete

What is steel reinforcement and their types?. (2020). Retrieved from

https://steeloncall.com/what-is-steel-reinforcement-and-their-types

American Concrete Institute. (2006). REINFORCEMENT FOR CONCRETE—MATERIALS

AND APPLICATIONS. Michigan.

Hassoun, N. M., & Al-Manaseer, A. (2012). Structural Concrete: Theory and Design. (5th ed.).

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.