Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)

What happens in this clip

Measure and cut rebar to fit around the perimeter of your formwork. While not strictly necessary for smaller slabs, adding rebar enhances the strength and longevity of the concrete. Place the rebar inside the formwork, ensuring it sits about 2-3 inches above the crushed rock base. This can be achieved using small 'chairs' or rocks as supports. The video highlights lifting the rebar off the ground to ensure it is fully encased in concrete, which is crucial for its reinforcing properties.

Goal: Cut and place rebar around the perimeter of the formwork, ensuring it is lifted off the crushed rock base for optimal concrete adhesion.

What's used

Tools

• Rebar Cutter RIDGID
• Bolt cutters
• Rebar Tie Tool (optional)
• Supports (rocks
• rebar chairs)

Materials

• Rebar

About the full video

This video details the process of constructing a durable concrete slab foundation for a shed, reinforced with steel, followed by the initial framing of the shed walls and roof rafters. It emphasizes proper leveling, formwork construction, concrete pouring techniques, and the use of specific lumber types and fasteners for structural integrity.

Step 4 of 10: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

Cut rebar or wire mesh to fit inside the formwork, ensuring it is elevated slightly off the gravel base. You can use rebar chairs or small pieces of gravel to keep it suspended. This reinforcement will prevent the concrete from cracking under stress.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar) (this video)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork