Concrete is among the most popular construction materials worldwide. Its durability and fire resistance make it ideal for various projects. However, concrete has one significant weakness: it can fail quickly when exposed to certain types of stress.
The solution is reinforcement, especially with steel bars known as rebar. But for reinforcement to be effective, the steel must be properly shaped and secured using tools like the rebar bender.
We provide a full range of concrete reinforcement tools to help you strengthen your structures here at RAPIDTOOL Australia. Our selection includes the rebar cutters for precision and efficiency, as well as rebar tying machines that simplify the task and improve safety. In this blog, we’ll explain why concrete needs reinforcing steel bars and how our tools support the process.
What makes concrete weak?
While concrete performs exceptionally well under compressive and shear stress, it struggles under tensile stress. To put it in perspective, concrete’s tensile strength is only about 10 to 15% of its compressive strength. That’s why rebar is so important — adding steel reinforcement helps concrete resist tension and prevents cracking or structural failure.
Why reinforce concrete with rebar?
Adding rebar to concrete allows them to support each other. While concrete holds against compressive stress, the steel bars offer tensile strength to the structure.
Reinforced concrete is significantly stronger than concrete alone — its breaking point nearly doubles when properly reinforced with rebar.
There’s also a safety advantage. Without reinforcement, concrete becomes brittle. It can fail suddenly without warning as pressure builds. On the other hand, reinforcing concrete with rebar makes it ductile, meaning small cracks appear under stress before complete failure occurs. These visible signs give engineers time to address problems, making structures safer.
Essential tools for shaping and securing rebar
At RAPIDTOOL Australia, we supply reliable rebar tools that make reinforcing concrete simple and efficient:
- A rebar cutter that can quickly cut through tough steel bars in as little as two seconds
- A rebar bender for shaping steel rods with precision, improving fit and structural integrity
- A rebar tying machine for securing steel bars in place without excessive strain or manual effort
Find the right rebar tools for your next project
Browse our latest catalogue to learn more about our high-performance rebar cutter and time-saving combination tools, such as the industrial rebar bender and cutting machine. We also offer accessories like electronic extension rods, so you can operate the RAPIDTOOL rebar tying machine without bending or overexerting yourself.
Contact our team for expert advice or for your nearest dealer at sales@rapidtool.com.au, or call 1800-955-755.
