2.

Required Resource to Do the Work What are the main resources that are needed (information, labour, materials, equipment, plans, trained operators, special machines, trained machinist, special space, tools, .... What are the main outputs/products/outcomes of the process (or equipment) What are the sources/causes of waste produced during operation (i.e., packaging, CO2, damages, by-products,..) How is the waste managed? What safety training and protections are required and how is it managed (i.e., noise, hard-hat, shoes, gloves,..) What are the sources

What we have to do: Concrete steel reinforcing bars Subgroup 5: Work Study of site operation to install/pour/erect/connect the material of the system

Rebar (Reinforced bar) is made of low-grade iron so that iron workers can easily bend, shape and manoeuvrer into a required configuration. This requires a small tool called a hickey, although for jobs requiring vast numbers of reinforced mesh layers, stronger tools are preferred such as hydraulic benders and shears. Before the reinforced steel arrives at a construction site, it is treated with a chemical or paint to provide a resistance to rust and corrosion. This prevents the steel within the concrete rusting and corroding away and leaving large voids and holes that will significantly weaken the cement. When the reinforcing bars or mesh is delivered, depending on how many there are, a large excavating machine is required to remove the steel from the delivery truck and placed on racks or on the floor. The rods are then measured to a required length and are marked using a spray paint can that is designed to work upside down. Spray paint is the best way to mark our bars for cutting as it is quick to use, easy to see and is generally weather proof. The exact number of layers and the required skeletal structure that will be used to optimize the strength of the reinforced concrete is accurately determined and marked out prior to being concreted. Prior to the placing of reinforced bars, a site is specifically levelled out and tested to ensure the concrete will be poured onto a smooth foundation. Although concrete is extremely strong in compression it is relatively weak in tension, this is why levelling foundations is very important as uneven ground can cause tension stresses in the concrete, resulting in the concrete cracking and eventually failure. Once the foundations have been created and the field has been marked out, labourers begin placing rising tools called chairs to keep the bars raised off the

ground and place the reinforced mesh sheets in place. This is so the concrete can be poured on top and below the reinforced bars. To improve the strength further, the ends of the reinforcing bars are either bent and hooked to lock it into the set concrete or deeply imbedded in adjacent structural members.

Outcomes Once the concrete is poured around the reinforcing bars and has been paved and cured, the result is a very strong product called reinforced concrete. The combined product of the low tensile strength and ductility of concrete and the high tensile strength of reinforced steel gives reinforced concrete the ability to withstand massive forces before failing. This is why reinforced steel is the choice for foundations and most large structures.

Waste Eventually, structures are either too old and result in failure or are demolished to make room for a new structure. The result is tonnes of concrete that needs to be cleaned up and moved off site. The reinforced concrete is broken up using a jackhammer and the reinforcing bars are cut using an acetylene torch. The reinforcing bars that are within the broken up concrete make it easy for workers to keep the concrete in large movable clumps as well as provide griping for cranes and excavators to tie to.

(Figure 1.2)

In most countries, after the demolition of such buildings, workers extract the rebar from the concrete using bolt cutters, welding equipment, sledgehammers and other tools. The rebar is then sold.

Safety There are many medium-risk safety factors when dealing with reinforcing bars. The Rebar cages or bars need to be cut to specific lengths and are typically cut using either a circular saw or chop saw. These saws need to be used by a skilled operator and as the bars are made of iron, safety glasses and earplugs must be worn by the operator and workers surrounding them. Once cut, the reinforcing bars have very sharp ends and thus labourers are at risk of eye injurys and impalement. As a result companies place

specially made rubber and plastic coloured caps that create a blunt end and provide a resistance when weight is dropped on the rebar. Other risks come from the machinery used in the process of making the reinforced concrete such as dealing with the general heavy machinery. (Figure 1.3) Gloves are required by all labourers that are handling the reinforcing bars to avoid cuts and tears as they are made with ribs to strengthen the hold between the bars and the concrete.

Figure 1.1 - http://www.thebridge2012.com/ministries/rebar/rebar-1/ Figure 1.2 - http://www.naem.com/connection/9/topoff9.html Figure 1.3 http://www.ssshinc.com/t/Construction/Concrete_Formwork/Accessories_and_Chemicals/ Rebar_Cap_Steel_Plate