Construction of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Reinforced concrete (RC) is a structural material that has been used in construction for centuries. The basic elements of RC structure are reinforced concrete members, which are formed with cement, water, and aggregate. The reinforcement generally comprises of steel bars, wires, planks and various bonded materials.
Reinforced concrete can be utilized for a variety of building and civil engineering structures. The use of concrete in combination with steel provides the framework with greater strength and durability, hence making it suitable even for large structures. High-strength reinforcement can increase the load bearing capacity as well as improve the ductility of the structure.
The use of RC presents several advantages over other material such as steel, timber and masonry, mainly because of its relatively lower production cost, high strength-to-weight ratio, and its ability to span relatively long distances with minimal support. Reinforced concrete is an efficient material to construct large and complex structures such as bridges, dams, stadiums, and skyscrapers.
When considering reinforced concrete structures, a preliminary design is an essential step for successful use of this material. The following are some important factors to consider when designing RC structures:
The size, shape and reinforcement required for each component of the structure must be determined. This will depend on the size of the structure, its purpose, and its intended use.
The dimensions and dimensions of the members must be considered in order to ensure that loading and moments will be adequately transferred throughout the structure.
The type of concrete used must be specified. This depends on the loading and conditions that the structure will be subjected to.
The type and amount of reinforcement must be specified. The reinforcement, combined with the concrete, must be provided in order to achieve the minimum strength for the structure.
The reinforcement must be placed accurately in order to ensure that the structure is stiff, resistant and ductile enough.
The joints, supports and other connections must be specified and calculated. Joints must also be designed in order to optimize the structural behavior of the entire system.
Finally, the construction phase must be considered. This includes the use of both precast and cast-in-place construction, the type of formwork system used, and the considerations that must be made before, during and after the construction process.
The above steps must be followed in order to ensure that the RC structure is designed, constructed and maintained properly. Careful consideration of these factors will ensure that the structure is long-lasting and maintains its strength under the different loading and environmental conditions that it may experience.
