Plastic spacers are elements used in civil construction to ensure the correct position and distance between structural elements, such as steel bars or reinforcement, within reinforced concrete structures. They play a fundamental role in guaranteeing the quality and durability of buildings.
Common types of plastic spacers:
- Spacers for vertical reinforcement: used to keep steel bars in a correct vertical position, keeping them away from the concrete formwork during pouring. The main ones used are the Open Circular and Closed Circular spacers.
- Spacers for horizontal reinforcement: used to maintain proper distance between reinforcement layers in concrete floors or slabs, preventing unwanted cracks. Examples include the Chair-type and Multi-Support spacers.
- Spacers for concrete mesh: used to properly position concrete mesh — truss-shaped reinforcement mainly used in industrial floors and pavements. The main examples are also the Chair-type and Multi-Support spacers.
Specific applications:
- Foundations: spacers ensure that foundation reinforcement is correctly positioned to provide adequate support and stability to the structure.
- Slabs and floors: essential for maintaining correct distance and positioning of reinforcement in concrete slabs and floors, preventing cracks and improving strength.
- Columns and pillars: spacers keep the steel bars in place while the concrete is poured, allowing the column or pillar to have the necessary strength to support the structure’s load.
- Walls: used in reinforced concrete walls to keep the reinforcement in place during pouring, ensuring strength and avoiding structural integrity problems.
Importance in civil construction:
- Durability: spacers help prevent cracks and spalling in concrete structures, ensuring the durability and service life of the building.
- Strength: proper reinforcement layout with the help of spacers improves the tensile and compressive strength of the concrete, making the structure more robust and safe.
- Corrosion prevention: the use of plastic spacers helps keep steel bars away from the formwork and the ground, reducing the risk of corrosion, especially in high-humidity areas.
- Precision and quality: by ensuring the correct positioning of reinforcement, spacers contribute to dimensional accuracy and prevent execution problems.
- Time and resource savings: the use of spacers simplifies the structure assembly process, reducing the need for corrections or rework.
In summary, plastic spacers play a crucial role in civil construction, ensuring the structural integrity, durability and safety of reinforced concrete buildings, while optimizing the construction process.
