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    Home / Technical Section / Replacing Steel Mesh

    Replacing Welded Steel Mesh with Composite

    Replacing Welded Steel Mesh with Composite Mesh

    A guidance note for selecting FiberMesh composite mesh as a replacement for welded steel mesh in anti-shrinkage applications. The goal is not a blind material swap, but a comparison of the reinforcement function within the concrete layer.

    Important note

    This guide is intended for the indicative selection of anti-shrinkage reinforcement. It is not a structural design of a load-bearing structure. For load-bearing elements, the replacement must always be assessed by a designer or structural engineer.

    Why concrete needs anti-shrinkage reinforcement

    Concrete shrinks as it cures and with temperature changes. This creates tensile stresses and subsequently cracks. Anti-shrinkage reinforcement helps to limit crack width, distribute local stresses and keep the surface stable.

    It is typically used in screeds, floor screeds, floors on a rigid base and slabs on grade. In this context it is not primarily about load-bearing reinforcement, but mainly about controlling shrinkage cracks and surface stability.

    The replacement rule

    To replace welded steel mesh with a composite, choose a composite mesh with a tensile strength equal to or higher than that of the steel mesh specified in the design.

    What the tensile strength of a mesh means

    The tensile strength of a mesh indicates how much force a one-meter-wide strip of reinforcement can carry before it breaks. It is expressed in kN/m and measured separately in the longitudinal and transverse directions, because the grid is usually not the same in both directions. For an indicative comparison we state the average of both values.

    This makes it easy to compare different types of steel and composite meshes with each other. This comparison is suitable for the anti-shrinkage and distribution function of reinforcement, not as an automatic replacement for the main load-bearing reinforcement.

    Comparison of FiberMesh and welded steel mesh

    The table compares FiberMesh composite meshes and common welded steel mesh by their main technical parameters. For an indicative replacement in anti-shrinkage applications, the tensile strength value is the most important.

    Parametr FiberMesh Welded steel mesh
    2/50 3/100 3/150 4/100 4/150 KA16
    4/100    		 KA17
    4/150    		 KD35
    5/100    		 KD37
    5/150    		 KH30
    6/100    		 KH20
    6/150
    Size 2×50×50CE 3×100×100CE 3×150×150 4×100×100CE 4×150×150 4×100×100 4×150×150 5×100×100 5×150×150 6×100×100 6×150×150
    Tensile forceper bar / strand [N]* 3,816 / 4,938 9,088 / 10,966 9,088 / 10,966 12,955 / 17,954 12,955 / 17,954 6,283 6,283 9,817 9,817 14,137 14,137
    Tensile strength[MPa]* 1,157 1,140 1,140 1,012 1,011 500 500 500 500 500 500
    Tensile strengthaverage of both directions [kN/m] 88 101 70** 155 108** 63 44 98 69 141 99
    Modulus of elasticity[GPa]* 41 43 43 36 36 200 200 200 200 200 200
    Elongation[%]* 3.6 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
    Weight[g/m²] 246 283 198 456 319 1,973 1,316 3,083 2,138 4,439 2,959
    Residual strengthafter alkaline ageing [%] 103.9 / 90.9 95.6 / 98.2 95.6 / 98.2 93.1 / 86.7 93.1 / 86.7 — — — — — —
    Alkali resistance[%] 97 96 96 93 93 — — — — — —

    The designation 2/50 means a bar diameter of 2 mm and a mesh spacing of 50 × 50 mm. * FiberMesh values are based on TZÚS test reports (ETA 25/0367, test report 060-059659) and are given as longitudinal / transverse direction. The tensile strength is the average of both directions. The welded steel mesh values are an indicative conversion from a characteristic yield strength of 500 MPa; verify the exact parameters with your steel mesh supplier. The modulus of elasticity comes from a separate TZÚS test and is not part of the ETA. ** The 3/150 and 4/150 variants are not included in the ETA; the values are calculated from the bar density. The table serves for an indicative comparison in anti-shrinkage applications in non-loaded layers. These are not design values, nor an automatic replacement for load-bearing reinforcement.

    Mesh or fibers?

    FiberMesh

    • works across an area in two directions,
    • is easy to inspect visually,
    • allows control of cover, laps and placement,
    • is suitable where you want the reinforcement precisely in a given zone.

    G40

    • acts throughout the entire concrete mass,
    • limits micro-cracks from the start of setting,
    • works in all directions,
    • simplifies both logistics and placement.

    The most robust solution comes from combining both systems: fibers help limit shrinkage across the whole cross-section, and the mesh provides directional certainty where you want it under control.

    How to choose a suitable replacement step by step

    1. Find the welded steel mesh specified in the design.
    2. Determine its tensile strength in kN/m.
    3. Select a FiberMesh composite mesh with an equal or higher value.
    4. Verify suitability based on the structure type, loading, layer thickness and base.
    5. For load-bearing structures, have the replacement confirmed by a designer or structural engineer.

    Recommended lap of composite meshes

    Mesh spacing Ø2 Ø3 Ø4
    50 × 50 mm 3 squares / 150 mm 4 squares / 200 mm 5 squares / 250 mm
    100 × 100 mm 2 squares / 200 mm 2 squares / 200 mm 3 squares / 300 mm
    150 × 150 mm 2 squares / 300 mm 2 squares / 300 mm 2 squares / 300 mm

    At edges, penetrations and more heavily loaded zones, consider a larger lap or a detail according to the design.

    Quick indicative selection of FiberMesh

    Application Layer thickness Concrete Recommended mesh
    Interior screed on a monolithic RC slab 35–50 mm C20/25 Ø2 / 50×50 or 100×100
    Separated screed on PE film 50–70 mm C25/30 Ø3–4 / 100×100
    Screed with underfloor heating 60–80 mm C25/30 Ø3–4 / 100×100
    Residential and office floors on grade 80–100 mm C25/30 Ø3–4 / 100×100
    Screed on hollow-core panels 60–80 mm C25/30 Ø3–4 / 100×100
    Garage for passenger cars 100-120 mm C25/30–C30/37 Ø4 / 100×100

    Why composite makes sense as a replacement for steel

    Does not corrode even in damp environments
    Significantly lighter than steel
    Faster and safer handling
    Non-conductive and non-magnetic material
    Easy placement without heavy machinery
    Suitable for controlling shrinkage cracks

    Important note

    This article is indicative only, for anti-shrinkage reinforcement. It does not address the load-bearing behavior of structures. The design, sizing and any material replacement are decided by a responsible person — a structural engineer or designer.

    The choice of composite materials depends on the base, the type of structure, the loading, the method of execution, the class and composition of the concrete, and the boundary conditions.

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