Technology Dept. News

South Seneca Residential Construction students learn the importance of putting steel reinforcing in concrete.

       High School Residential Construction students spent some time exploring concrete during the building materials portion of their course. Students mixed and poured concrete to make two test beams. One beam had steel reinforcing put in it and the other was poured without any reinforcing. Both beams were tested and students were able to see the difference in the types of failure that occurred between the two beams. The beam that didn’t have any reinforcing collapsed, and the beam that was reinforced cracked but was still able to hold the load.                                                   

 

            Students were able see first hand the very poor tension characteristics of concrete, and were able to see how designers/builders are able to greatly improve on this with the addition of steel reinforcing.                                  

            Thanks to TNT Builders for the form material, and Erickson Building and Design for the steel reinforcing material.

 

testing beams with reinforcing   without reinforcing