Understanding Construction and Reinforcement Checking

When constructing buildings, we use steel to reinforce the concrete. The people responsible for this work include steel fixers (who bend and place the steel bars) and supervisors who ensure everything is done correctly.

1. Checking the Drawings

The concrete supervisors need to understand the construction plans and reinforcement drawings.

A concrete supervisor must have sufficient knowledge of the way in which reinforcement detail is presented in the RCC drawing. So that he/she can sensibly discuss the problem with the designer or the site engineer.

They must also double-check that the steel bars are placed correctly before pouring concrete.

If there are any issues, they need to discuss them with the engineers and designers.

2. Ensuring Accuracy

Supervisors are crucial in ensuring everything fits correctly.

If there are discrepancies or if certain steel bars won’t fit as planned, they need to work with the designers to find solutions.

Where the requirements of accuracy are particularly stringent, then it is worthwhile setting up in the steel area a part of the formwork or a template representing the form into which the steel can be assembled, both for fabrication and checking purposes.

3. Using the Latest Information

It’s essential to use the most recent drawings and information.

Mistakes can happen if outdated plans are used.

In complex parts of construction, it’s helpful to make sketches to ensure everything fits before actually placing the steel.

When using reinforcement detail, the information sought is as follows.

• drawing scale, date and latest revision;
• schedule date and latest revision;
• location of the structural element;
• sections and where taken;
• cover to steel (from drawing notes or from specification clause);
• type of steel;
• shape;
• spacing;
• laps and curtailment;
• arrangement of steel (staggered, top or bottom, near or far face);
• cover (considerable attention focusses on face cover, end cover is just as critical and sometimes more difficult to maintain);
• components, dowel bars, anchor plates, bearing plates and so on;
• location of chairs and “U” bars intended to space the various layers of reinforcement.

4. Projecting Steel

Besides bars needed for the current construction phase, supervisors need to identify bars that extend into future sections.

These bars must be correctly supported to prevent concrete damage and ensure structural integrity.

5. Simplifying Steel Work

Supervisors and designers can work together to simplify the steel layout.

This can help with construction continuity and efficiency.

Where work is of a complex nature, the supervisor should press for the adoption of open stirrups and links which allow ease of adjustment of cages to maintain the required cover.

6. Using the Right Formwork

Having the right formwork (the structure that holds concrete in place) is essential.

It ensures that the concrete pouring, steel fixing, and formwork removal can happen smoothly.

7. Ensuring Proper Cover

“Cover” refers to the distance between the surface of the concrete and the steel.

Supervisors need to ensure that this cover is consistent and accurate, as it affects the concrete’s strength and durability.

For example, at column beam connections there is often a considerable amount of steel crammed into a restricted space and the main beam and main column bars may clash. This normally create issue related to cover to reinforcement.

8. Paying Attention to Details

Supervisors must pay attention to various steel details, including spacing, overlap of bars, and arrangement.

These details are critical for the concrete’s performance.

9. Computer-Aided Design

With modern technology, computer programs help with design and reduce errors.

However, supervisors still need to check for issues that software might miss.

10. Problem-Solving

Supervisors sometimes need to solve problems on-site, like rearranging steel to allow for continuous concrete pouring.

11. Combined Details

For efficiency, steel and other concrete elements like plates and anchors should be combined into one set of construction details.

By understanding these aspects, construction supervisors play a crucial role in ensuring that buildings are built safely and accurately.