Reinforcement bar’s coupling or rebar coupling is a method by which two lengths of bars are joined together with the help of a coupler. Rebar coupling is a result of technological development in the field of concrete construction which has made the construction work simpler, safer and faster. Since the whole process takes place faster, the cost of production is reduced.
Even though rebar coupling was introduced decades ago, it hasn’t gained much popularity because of the misconception that traditional methods of bar reinforcement like lap splicing costs lesser. This call for the need to spread the word about how cost-effective reinforcement bar’s coupling is.
Lapped joints aren’t the most ideal way to connect rebars. This is because increased use of rebars will create congestion in the concrete structure. Also, the use of laps can take up a lot of time to get their designs and installation done. The more time consuming and complex the process is, the higher is the cost of production. This is where couplers save the day!
Mechanical couplers were introduced years ago; but were considered to be a way to avoid using long rebars. However, today engineers and contractors are slowly learning the fact that mechanical coupling saves time and cost of construction.
Different types of couplers serve different needs. For example, a standard tapered thread coupler is used when you have to connect two bars with the equal diameters. Among the two bars, one can be rotated if this coupler is used. This coupler includes an internally threaded sleeve which has two right hand sleeves which are connected towards the middle of the coupler.
Usually, the couplers are torqued into the rebars. The tapered thread design inside the coupler will help in proper alignment of the bars after the connection is made. This is the case of tapered thread couplers. Another type of couplers called the tapered thread positional couplers are used in applications where none of the two lengths of bar can be rotated.
In tapered thread positional couplers, there is a female pat, a male part, and a locking nut. The female section of the coupler is cast into the concrete and then the male end is screwed into it. After the male section is screwed into the female section properly, the connection is sealed with the locking nut.
Other than the above explained tapered thread couplers, there are couplers that work at the end of a rebar within concrete like the tapered thread headed anchors. Furthermore there are various other forms of couplers that are designed to meet different purposes like Bartec Plus, BT stainless steel couplers, and MBT couplers.