North Carolina General Contractors Practice Exam

What is the recommended overlap for welded wire fabric?

1. 1 inch

2. 2 inches

3. Size of the grid plus 2 inches

4. Size of the grid plus 4 inches

The correct answer is: Size of the grid plus 2 inches

The recommended overlap for welded wire fabric is the size of the grid plus 2 inches. This guideline ensures that the laps between sections of the fabric create a strong and continuous reinforcement across the areas being covered. By overlapping the fabric correctly, it enhances the load distribution and structural integrity of the concrete, preventing potential weaknesses or failures in the material. Overlapping by the size of the grid plus 2 inches allows designers and contractors to accommodate any variations in the installation process, ensuring the integrity of the welded wire fabric is maintained. This practice not only meets industry standards but also optimizes the performance of the concrete structure. The other choices may suggest insufficient overlap or excessive requirements that do not align with industry practices. Therefore, using the size of the grid plus 2 inches provides a balanced approach to ensure proper reinforcement without unnecessary waste or complication in the installation.