Composite mesh for foundation and floors on the ground

When installing a slab foundation, tape, blind area or floor on the ground, concrete works well for compression, but weakly for tension and bending. That is why the plates are laid in the body foundation grid: It assumes tensile forces, keeps concrete from cracking, and distributes point and temperature loads over the entire area. Composite mesh solves this problem in the same way as metal mesh, but removes the main problem of underground and wet structures — corrosion.

What is a composite mesh for foundation

Composite (fiberglass) mesh is a flexible web of interconnected rods based on fiberglass and polymer binder. Unlike bar reinforcement, this is a finished mesh with a uniform cell that does not need to be knitted from individual rods on the site. At ETIZ, such a canvas is produced under the brand sSC reinforcement grid (SSK-2, SSK-3, SSK-5, SSK-6) and complies GOST 31938-2012 for composite polymer reinforcement and meshes.

It is important not to confuse the mesh with the reinforcement rod: the rod is laid with rods and knitted into the frame, and the mesh comes to the object with a ready-made canvas — in a roll or a map. For thick slab foundations, the mesh is often combined with composite reinforcement: the lower and upper bar chords, and the mesh works as a distribution layer in the screed or in the upper zone of the slab.

Why composite, not metal

• Does not rust or corrode — a key property for a foundation that is in constant contact with wet soil and concrete.
• Lighter than steel welded mesh — it is easier to unload, carry and lay by hand, without a crane and extra hands.
• Dielectric — does not conduct electric current, does not create stray currents and electrochemical corrosion.
• Does not form cold bridges — unlike metal, it does not conduct heat through the body of the structure.
• Flex. — it is rolled up, which is convenient for transportation and storage; it is cut with scissors or a grinder right on the site.
• Durable — does not lose properties from moisture and alkaline medium of concrete, the service life is commensurate with the service life of the structure itself.

The only restriction: the composite cannot be cooked. Overlapping mesh cards are connected and fixed with viscous or plastic clamps — but this is not necessary for the mesh, the canvas is already connected into a single sheet.

Types and sizes of ETIZ mesh

The cell and the diameter of the rod are selected for different tasks of the foundation. A large cell is economical for massive slabs, a small one — it holds a thin screed and the floor better on the ground.

In addition to the SSC reinforcement grid, the line has a narrow masonry mesh with a width of 0.36 / 0.5 / 1 m in rolls of 50 m each with a tensile strength of up to 50/50 kN/m — it is designed for reinforcement of masonry joints of brick and aerated concrete, but it is also used for reinforcement of thin screeds and preparatory layers. The full assortment of the canvas is assembled in eTHYZ Composite Mesh Catalogue.

How to choose a mesh for the foundation and floor on the ground

By type of construction

• Foundation raft, piles — bars Ø3 mm, cell 100×100 or 200×200 mm; under heavy loads, the mesh is combined with composite reinforcement in the belts.
• Floor on the ground, screed — bars Ø2–3 mm, mesh 50×50 or 100×100 mm for uniform load distribution over a thin layer.
• Blind area, paths, platforms — large cell 100×100 or 200×200 mm, delivery by roll for quick rolling.

By operating conditions

The higher the soil moisture and aggressiveness of the medium, the greater the advantage of the composite: the steel mesh in such conditions rusts over time, bursts concrete with corrosion products and destroys the protective layer. Composite mesh is devoid of this drawback, so it is chosen for foundations in watered areas, for floors in basements, car washes, rooms with a chemically active environment.

Installation: briefly about the main

1. Roll out or spread the mesh cards on the prepared base, observing the protective layer of concrete from below (on the "highchairs").
2. Join the blades overlapping, fixing with plastic clamps or binding wire — welding for the composite is not used.
3. Cut the mesh in place with scissors on metal or grinder — the canvas does not spring and is easily cut.
4. Lay and compact the concrete, making sure that the mesh remains inside the slab body and does not float to the surface.

Due to the low weight, one card or roll is often deployed by one person, which speeds up the work and reduces costs at the facility.

Mesh or reinforcement — what to order

These are different products for different tasks. The reinforcement rod is taken when a load-bearing frame of individual rods is needed. Ready mesh — when you need a distributing reinforcing layer over the area: floor on the ground, screed, blind area, upper zone of the slab. On a real foundation, they often work together. Choose a brand, cell and format for your project and get price on request can be in composite mesh section.

FAQs

How is a composite mesh for a foundation better than a metal one?

The main difference is that the composite mesh does not rust or corrode in moist soil and alkaline concrete environment, while the steel mesh rusts and destroys the protective layer over time. Additionally, the composite is lighter, is a dielectric, does not form cold bridges and is rolled up. In terms of tensile strength, it is able to replace the metal mesh without the risk of corrosion in accordance with GOST 31938-2012.

Which cell to choose for the ground floor and slab foundation?

For thin screeds and floor on the ground, a small cell of 50×50 or 100×100 mm is usually taken from a Ø2-3 mm bar — it evenly distributes the load over the layer. For massive slab foundations, blind areas and platforms, a larger cell of 100×100 or 200×200 mm with a rod of Ø3 mm is used. The exact selection depends on the thickness of the structure and the design loads.

Is it possible to cut and connect the composite mesh on site?

Yes. The canvas is easily cut in place with ordinary scissors for metal or grinder — it does not spring and is cut to the desired size of the work zone. Overlapping cards are connected, fixed with plastic clamps or binding wire. It is important to remember: the composite cannot be cooked, so all joints are made by overlapping and mechanical binding, and not by welding.

Is composite mesh suitable for wet soil and basements?

Yes, this is one of its main applications. Composite mesh is not susceptible to corrosion, so it is chosen for foundations in watered areas, floors in basements, car washes and rooms with a chemically active environment. Unlike steel, it does not rust from constant contact with moisture and does not destroy concrete with corrosion products, which prolongs the service life of the structure.

Do you need reinforcement if you lay a composite mesh?

It depends on the design. The finished mesh works as a distribution reinforcing layer — it is usually sufficient for screeds, floors on the ground and blind area. For thick slab foundations with large loads, the mesh is combined with composite reinforcement: the rod forms the bearing belts, and the mesh distributes the load. The optimal scheme is selected according to the project.

How much does ETHYZ composite mesh cost and how to order?

The price is calculated on request and depends on the brand (SSK-2, SSK-3, SSK-5, SSK-6), the diameter of the rod, the size of the cell, the format of the card or roll and the volume of the order. To get the cost for your project, specify the type of construction and the required dimensions — the manager will select a suitable grid from the catalog and offer delivery formats in rolls or maps.