Fabric (to BS 4483 Steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete) consists of high yield steel bars welded together to form a mat. Standard fabrics are available in a range of fabric dimensions as shown in the Table, with a range of bar diameters.

Standards sheet sizes are 2.4m wide by 4.8 m long. Smaller sheets (2.0m by 3.6m) are available from builders merchants. Special fabrics, consisting of any combination of reinforcement sizes, pitches, widths and lengths to suit a particular customer’s needs, are also available. Fabrics can be factory bent to shapes to suit customer’s needs; it will generally not be appropriate to bend fabric on site.

For further information see The CARES Guide to Reinforcing Steels, Part 5, Welded Fabric, which is available from www.ukcares.com or can be ordered by e-mail from general@ukcares.com.