Wiremesh or Rebar and their requirements 1

[vk77usa]

We are a Sheet metal company and we are trying to come up with some standards for installation of the Sheet metal products like a mail box on the concrete floor. Iam not an expert in this area so i need some help.

1) I want to find out which is better Wiremesh or Rebar.

2) And what are the specifications as to diameter, spacing etc for Wire mesh/ Rebar.

The mail box weight ranges from 125 to 150 Lbs mounted on a single pedestal which is inurn fastened to a base plate of 12''x 12'' that is fastened to the ground. The thickness of concrete may range from 4'' to 8'' with depth and width ranging from 40'' to 45''.

 

[TXStructural]

Neither is better. Depending on the application and location, one might be preferred. In your instance, either will work.

In your example, the overall size of the mailbox may dictate wind loads, or the shape might indicate that it needs to be designed for someone to grab hold and hang from the end of it (I have seen that happen.) The weight of the mailbox will be insignificant, compare to the intrinsic strength of concrete. The reinforcing will be primarily to keep cracking to a minimum, and should be placed about 1-1/2" from the top surface to reduce crack width.

It sounds like you are looking to provide a design for a single purpose slab, installed for the purpose of supporting these boxes - in which case, you need to have a licensed PE do the design and probably provide a sealed drawing. This would reduce your company's exposure, should the design fail. The design is not complicated, and you shouldn't end up with more than a single letter-size page to describe it.

If you are using existing slabs, anything with continuous reinforcement will probably be fine. Look at the anchor design [try Hilti's (free) Profis software, or a similar package by Simpson or Powers], and be sure the anchor strength is sufficient for the loads.

 

[apsix]

Wiremesh is better only because it's more convenient.

 

[vandede427]

at Home Depot #4 rebar is sold is precut lengths on the same isle as wire mesh