Construction Methods for Reinforced Concrete Columns

Steel Reinforced Columns

• Traditionally, most concrete is reinforced with steel rebar or prefabricated steel cages. In these situations, the inner steel is carefully arranged inside a mold and then concrete sprayed or poured into the mold to fashion one-piece columns. In most applications, this process takes place on site to prevent prohibitive shipping costs.

Glass Fiber Reinforced Columns

• Glass fiber reinforced concrete (also known as GFRC) combines cement, glass fibers and sand, creating a mixture that weighs roughly one-third of what conventional concrete would weigh. This mixture is poured into column molds and allowed to harden slowly over the course of several days. Its resistance to chipping, light weight and superior compressive strength make it a commonly used element in precast architectural elements such as columns.

Segmented Concrete Columns

• In some cases, columns must be segmented --- either to allow them to wrap around an existing support structure or for easy shipping from a manufacturing facility. In most cases, such columns are fashioned so each piece has its own mold. The concrete is reinforced with steel rebar, which extends from one segment so that it can be inserted into the bottom of the next, and so on, so the final product incorporates interlocking segments.

Considerations

• The type of process used often depends on the final application, as well as cost barriers. Aesthetic columns are more likely to incorporate glass-reinforced columns, for example, due to their light weight and superior resistance to weathering. Load-bearing and support columns are more likely to incorporate steel reinforcement, which is both the industry standard and an economical choice.