Fibre mesh vs wire mesh concrete driveway: Which one to use?

The article aims to answer the question “Fibre mesh vs wire mesh concrete driveway: Which one to use?”. It will also discuss the difference between fibre and wire mesh in the concrete. 

Fibre mesh vs wire mesh concrete driveway: Which one to use?

Fibre mesh is a better option to use for the concrete driveway. 

Reinforcing a ready-mix concrete solution using fibres, sometimes known as “fiber mesh,” is a relatively recent innovation in the concrete-pouring industry. Fibre mesh entails incorporating various fibres such as glass, steel, synthetic fibres, or natural fibres into the concrete mix instead of putting down a wire mesh beforehand. 

Reinforcing concrete using fibre mesh strengthens it in all directions rather than just one. This all-encompassing reinforcement helps stop water from leaking out of the concrete and increases its surface’s resistance to impact. It also protects it from cracking caused by temperature changes and changes in density as the concrete sets.

Fibre mesh protects your concrete pour better than wire mesh and is easier to install. Because the wire mesh must be precisely cut to match the pouring location and must withstand a certain amount of pressure, this is the case. 

However, fibre mesh may be included in the mixture without further measures being required during the pouring process. Less money is spent on fibre mesh because it is poured quickly and effectively. 

Part builders have worried that the fibre mesh technique may result in an unattractive “hairy” appearance since some of the fibres will be visible on the surface. Nonetheless, this is only temporary since the fibres are often laid flat when the trowels smooth the top of the concrete, and those that remain protruding are rapidly worn down or burnt off by the sun if the concrete is placed outside.

What is fibre mesh concrete?

Fibre mesh concrete, also known as fibre reinforced concrete, is a kind of concrete that uses fibres in place of wire mesh as a reinforcing material. Microfibers and macro fibres both provide this function, but in somewhat different ways. 

Adding macro fibres, which are giant fibres, to concrete helps increase its flexural strength. Metal or high-tech polymers are two possible materials. Microfibers are always constructed of specific synthetic polymers, and they function to protect hairline fractures from extensive bleeding.

Microfibers are extensive fibres, often characterised by a stepped, ridged, or hybrid morphology. Metal (steel or stainless steel) or synthetic polymer fibres are added to concrete to boost its tensile strength. Occasionally, the concrete’s tensile strength will equal the compressive strength.

Macro fibres are held securely in place when the concrete hardens, thanks to the way its crystalline structure grows around them. Cracks would emerge in the concrete wherever it was subjected to high tensile stresses. 

These fractures would propagate across the profile of the structure and ultimately cause failure if macro fibres weren’t included in the mix design. Macro fibres, when included in a mix’s design, stop the spread of these fractures by clamping down on both sides of the fracture. 

That’s why the profile has ridges or steps—it improves traction on the ground. Microscopic fibres known as microfibers are typically smooth and straight. Like their bigger counterparts, these fibres protect against hairline fractures brought on by severe bleeding or drying shrinkage. 

The fibres are firmly embedded in the concrete and will remain so while it cures. The fractures that grow are stopped when they encounter these threads. Incorporating microfibers into the concrete results in a higher quality finish and a more “forgiving” and manageable material.

What is wire mesh?

The conventional approach to increasing the flexural strength of concrete in flooring is wire mesh. Here, the area for the slab is prepared by laying down a big sheet of wire mesh and securing it in place using spacers and wire ties. 

New concrete is poured on top of the wire mesh and into the spaces between the mesh strands. Poker vibrators are often used to compress and solidify the material. Commonly used to provide strength to freshly poured concrete, wire mesh is an inexpensive and versatile reinforcement material. 

Before pouring the concrete, a square grid is created by laying down the wire mesh. In most cases, the wire mesh is just one layer of a two-dimensional grid that extends throughout the breadth and length of the poured concrete but not the depth. 

Workers will lift the wire mesh that has been put in the middle of the concrete height during the pouring procedure. Concrete that has hardened around a reinforcing element, such as wire mesh, is less likely to break as it cures and as temperatures fluctuate.

The addition of wire mesh to concrete makes it stronger and lasts longer. Before the concrete is poured, the work area must be protected by laying down a mesh barrier. A wire mesh should be raised while the concrete is being poured and placed in the centre of the concrete to act as steel reinforcement. 

The fact that this reinforcement looks like a two-dimensional grid likely contributes to its usefulness as a structural element.

Why wire mesh is not a good option for a driveway?

Wire mesh is not a good option for your driveway because it is cumbersome to work with.  Working with wire mesh is difficult. Stacks or rolls of large metal mesh sheets must be unloaded at the site, which might be a problem in restricted places. 

A lot of time and energy is wasted trying to untangle the material in these stacks or rolls because of tangles. When the mesh has been untangled, it has to be trimmed to size and transported to the pour. We use wire ties and spacers to secure the mesh in this area. 

This is a time-consuming and annoying procedure. The wire mesh’s tensile strength is reduced because it shifts when new concrete is placed on top and compacted, which is another source of irritation.

Fibre reinforcement, on the other hand, does not need any extra room or manpower on-site. At the end of the mixing process, the operator will toss the fibres into the freshly mixed concrete in the rear of the ready-mix truck. 

Common packaging includes resealable packets of a predetermined weight that dissolves in water. This is why most mix designs would specify a maximum amount of bags for each truck. If you want them to blend in effectively once they’ve been introduced, you’ll need to mix them at the highest possible speed for your vehicle. 

Because the fibres tend to cluster together, they won’t distribute evenly through the concrete until the mixing time and speed are right. Particularly applicable to stepped-profile microfibers.

Conclusion 

If you need a robust, long-lasting material for a building project, concrete is an excellent option for either home or commercial use. With so many applications, choosing sufficiently strong concrete for the task at hand is essential. Since the density of concrete fluctuates as it sets, it is prone to breaking. 

As with any material, concrete may fracture if subjected to extreme temperatures or an excessive amount of pressure in one area. Wire mesh and fibres are two prominent methods of reinforcing concrete during the pouring process.

Frequently asked questions (FAQS): Fibre mesh vs wire mesh concrete driveway: Which one to use?

Fibre mesh vs wire mesh concrete driveway: Which one to use?

Fibre mesh is a better option to use for the concrete driveway. 

Reinforcing a ready-mix concrete solution using fibres, sometimes known as “fiber mesh,” is a relatively recent innovation in the concrete-pouring industry. Fibre mesh entails incorporating various fibres such as glass, steel, synthetic fibres, or natural fibres into the concrete mix instead of putting down a wire mesh beforehand. 

What is wire mesh?

The conventional approach to increasing the flexural strength of concrete in flooring is wire mesh. Here, the area for the slab is prepared by laying down a big sheet of wire mesh and securing it in place using spacers and wire ties. New concrete is poured on top of the wire mesh and into the spaces between the mesh strands. Poker vibrators are often used to compress and solidify the material.

Bibliography

CONCRETE DRIVEWAY THICKNESS & CONSTRUCTION BASICS. Concrete networks. Retrieved from: https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_driveways/basics.html