Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/809226
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 APRIL 2017 VI Energy & Environment Introducing a new range of steel reinforcing meshes A new line of new electro-welded steel reinforcement meshes with wire diameters ranging from 5mm to 12mm in both directions are being produced by JM Vassallo Vibro Steel following the building of a new plant. The short time required to change wire diameter, spacing and panel dimensions makes it economically feasible to supply customers with orders both in small and large quan- tities in an efficient manner. The new facility should also offer a wider and more flex- ible range that can be considered at the design stage. Innovation using the latest technology JMV manufacture a wide range of electro-welded meshes with high quality HD (High Ductility) steel, where prop- erties are guaranteed with stringent checks performed throughout the whole manufacturing cycle. The new plant offers a number of interesting advantages, which are not only limited to mesh design but also aimed at minimising waste by reducing the use of excess steel material. The possibility of varying the diameter of the wires, mesh- es and size of panels according to the design requirements gives great versatility and flexibility, as well as significant cost savings. Some applications: - Mesh panels for casting in-situ and prefabricated elements that are designed according to structural require- ments and operating site conditions. - Bi-directional meshes Electro-welded meshes with variable tails on both edges to ensure proper transversal and longitudinal overlapping of panels with a reduced thickness, used mainly in rein- forced concrete walls and monolithic floors. - Panels with irregular transversal wire spacing. - Mesh for pillars and ring beams A reinforced technology that creates a pre-assembled system of stirrups for pillars, beams or any shaped element - Inclined, L-shaped and seg- mental meshes - Meshes with double welded transversal wires - Meshes used for structural footings / Pile Caps - Fabric Laps using made- to-measure extended (flying-ends) over- hangs. Meshes with Flying-end overhangs allows for congestion- free lapping of welded fabric, minimising material waste, improving site laying cycles and ensuring adequate con- crete cover. Mesh typology During the last decade the industry has seen a substantial change in the demand of mesh typology in the local con- struction industry. It is very interesting to mention that the use of the traditional C503 mesh has been decreasing year by year, while the use of B503 and A503 meshes is increas- ing on a yearly basis. Obviously, the wide range of C503 mesh in a number of lengths available from stock does not permit JMV to hold a wide range of lengths of other types of meshes such as B503 and A503 meshes. Customers are therefore requested to plan and pre-order their mesh requirements at least 48 hours in advance so that the plant will be able to produce their mesh to the required dimensions. High ductility and seismic mesh JMV meshes are produced from high- ductility hot-rolled steel and certified to MSA EN 1992-1-1:2004 Quality B500C, thus carrying the same me- chanical properties of steel reinforce- ment bars. High ductility steel has high elongation, anti-seismic properties. Mesh produced from high ductility hot rolled wire has superior quality characteristics than that produced from cold-drawn wire due to inherent advantages in its chemical composition. In the below illustration, one can clearly see the higher ductility properties of hot rolled steel in comparison with the conventional cold worked steel. It is important also to note that Grade B500C and B500B can only be achieved using hot rolled steel. Identification HD Vibro Mesh can be easily identified with our unique tagging system. A sticker is attached to each individual sheet providing the description of the mesh type produced and the identifiable standard to which it conforms. JMV's latest investment should make supplies of electro- welded steel wire mesh much more efficient with a wider range of solutions for the local construction industry. Reference Longitudinal bars Transverse bars Nominal Bar Size Pitch Area Nominal Bar Size Pitch Area Mass mm mm mm2 /m mm mm mm kg/m2 Square Mesh A393 10 200 393 10 200 393 6.16 A252 8 200 252 8 200 252 3.95 A193 7 200 193 7 200 193 3.02 A142 6 200 142 6 200 142 2.22 Structural Mesh B1131 12 100 1131 8 200 252 10.9 B785 10 100 785 8 200 252 8.14 B503 8 100 503 8 200 252 5.93 B385 7 100 385 7 200 193 4.53 B283 6 100 283 7 200 193 3.73 Long Mesh C785 10 100 785 6 400 70.8 6.72 C636 9 100 636 6 400 70.8 5.55 C503 8 100 503 6 400 49 4.51 C385 7 100 385 6 400 49 3.58 C283 6 100 283 6 400 49 2.78 Wrapping Mesh D98 5 200 98 5 200 98 1.54 JM Vassallo's productive capabilities have now also extended to cover all types of meshes specified in BS 8666: