Steel reinforcement meshes used in German concrete have been used as a common building material since the 19th century. Reinforcement of concrete with steel is essential to stand the tensile and compressive forces of applied loads. The use of steel meshes for reinforcing concrete structures has become the standard practice for construction works. Numerous applications of steel wires in the construction industry, such as in the reinforcement of concrete walls, columns, beams, driveways, and culverts, place a high demand on the quality of steel wires.
In order to meet the rigorous requirements, the German government urges the building industry to install steel wires that have appropriate mechanical characteristics called steel grades. It is important that metric-sized steel wire meshes used in Germany assess to the EN 10223-2 Standard which provides the specifications for steel reinforcement meshes for concrete reinforcement. This regulation provides detailed information on the required steel grades for various sizes and wire diameters of steel meshes for concrete elements.
Steel grades for concrete reinforcement in Germany can either be derived from DIN 488 or DIN 488-1 standards. Grade C0.4, C0.5, C1.0, C1.4, and C2.2 are the common EN 10223 steel grades used in German concrete reinforcement meshes. The steel grade C0.4 is a low carbon steel grade with a tensile strength of 400N/mm2 used in applications where weldability is a requirement such as concrete precast products and other applications where welded connections are required. Steel grade C0.5 offers a better strength than C0.4 allowing a maximum stretching force of 500N/mm2. C1.0 steel grade provides a highly ductile and weldable steel material with a maximum stretching force of 1000N/mm2 ideal for industrial applications where bending is required and welded connections are used. Steel grade C1.4 and C2.2 are pre-stressed steel grades with a tensile strength of 1400N/mm2 and 2200N/mm2 respectively for heavy-duty applications involving roads, railway, bridges and high-rise building works.
Steel meshes installed in Germany for concrete reinforcement are usually hot-dip galvanized to a minimum coating of 100g/m. Smaller steel wires from 1mm in diameter and below usually receive a cold galvanization of the ends, bends and intersections resulting from the tying process. To ensure the quality of mesh when it comes to rust resistance and durability, steel meshes are certified for coating according to their steel grade and requirements of EN ISO 1461 and DIN 55928. A wide variety of galvanized steel wires and steel wire products such as steel bridge decking, steel rods and bar, as well as flexible steel wires are widely available.
In conclusion, the use of steel strands, wires and meshes in concrete reinforcement in Germany is nothing new, yet other steel products are continually being developed to meet the increasing demands of the construction industry. It is important that high-quality steel wires, meshes, and other products assess to the specs of the applicable EN standards in order to benefit from the best performance and quality.
