ladder rungs made from re-bar

[chrcon]

is re-bar is an acceptable material for rungs on a caged ladder
these ladders are used in a gas plant in alberta

 

[metengr]

You had better check any Technical Specification or Industrial safety requirements for "fixed ladders". There is information on the Internet. Off-hand, I would say that re-bar should not be used.

 

[EdStainless]

No rebar. And yes, there are specs that these have to meet.

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Rust never sleeps
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http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[dik]

I've encountered rebar rungs and they have excellent traction. I don't know about compliance with any standards...

Dik

 

[scarecrow55]

I don't know where you are but here in England I tried to grind a piece off and found it extremely hard steel - my question would be will it weld OK

 

[metengr]

scarecrow55;
I can't provide an answer because the composition of the steel is unknown.

 

[deanc]

rebar works really good.....for...well rebar.

If you MUST use it for rungs,suggest you punch holes thru the side rails. Plug weld to outside and as there is no telling whats in it,E6010/6011 may work best.

 

[dik]

deanc... and spec the rebar to be weldable... a lot of rebar isn't...

Dik

 

[evelrod]

If you must weld rebar, at least look up the welding specs, not, incidentally E 6010 or 11 !

I've seen rebar ladder rungs on really old stuff, but to my knowledge (remember I retired 10 years ago) rebar is legal to use in Los Angeles for only what rebar is intended for, reinforcing concrete!!!

Rod

 

[deanc]

evelrod

Cannot disagree with you. 6010 is only a guess.

http://www.crsi.org/rebar/id.html

Make sure you read the "spices"

 

[UcfSE]

Weldable rebar is ASTM A706, vs the typical ASTM 615 used for concrete reinforcement.

 

[stanweld]

Refer to AWS D1.4 for rebar welding. Due to the high Carbon Equivalent of rebar, low hydrogen welding electrodes are recommended.

 

[GregLamberson]

I guess the question is why would you want to use rebar? Cost?

Most ladder designs I've seen specify a ladder rung design based on, for example, a 200-pound (890-N) concentrated live load and many specify all structural material to something like an ASTM A36 steel, but like Metengr, don't know what the composition of the rebar you plan to use looks like.

Do they need to be galvanized?

There may be some related codes that apply, OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D (Walking-Working Surfaces) come to mind.

Greg Lamberson
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[JoeTank]

GregLamberson,
If you want a non-skid ladder rung, the best choices are square bar (turned with a corner at the 12 o'clock position) and rebars (ASTM A706 is weldable, as noted above).

Joe Tank

 

[GregLamberson]

Thanks JoeTank, slipping is always an issue, especially when wet.

Greg Lamberson
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[arunmrao]

I wonder why NiDI has missed out on this application. 304 rebars for ladders!!

 

[Qshake]

Rod, Dik -

I know you fellas will know that we've seen much rebar welded to steel bars for construction use. Even seen rebar welded into the bellies of sheet pile for cofferdams.

I've never seen it in a final product.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[JoeTank]

Qshake,
A615 rebars often have very hign carbon content. While that's good for strength, it's lousy for welding. Although often successful for temporary purposes, rebar welding should not be used unless the A706 weldable grades are specified. We've seen cracked welds when using A615 rebars for ladder rungs. We simply don't permit rebars for welded ladder rungs unless they are A706 grades.

arumrao,
I doubt that SS rebars would be economical vs any grade of CS rebars.

Joe Tank

 

[evelrod]

Q
Yep, rebar is used for all sort of builds, most safely done when properly inspected. Problem is, if the inspector does not catch it, it's buried forever! I've had a passing aquaintence with rebar back in the early 60's, but I rather disliked working with it.

Joe
Rebar welding is just another special application, it's niether good/bad safe/unsafe, it just "is". Rebar welding in the Los Angeles area requires a seperate certification and welding specs. Rebar used/welded/tied, whatever, is perfectly acceptable used where rebar is supposed to be use---That is not on a ladder! That's not just my opinion, either.

Rod

 

[mshimko]

I see multiple problems with rebar in this application:

1. Diameter of the rebar versus width of a ladder rung. I see problems with personnel climbing up a rebar ladder, both from the discomfort on your feet to disconfort on your hands. Not sure if this aspect is covered by any specifications, but I wouldn't be suprized. Slippage is also impacted by the size of the rung.

2. Strength. I don't refer to the strength of the material, but the strength of the ladder rung to a concentrated load. Most ladder rungrs get their strengh from the shape of the rung, something lacking in rebar.