Wire Mesh Calculator

Data Source and Methodology

This calculator provides estimations based on standard engineering formulas and material properties. The calculations for mesh weight assume the material is **standard steel**, which has a density ($\rho$) of **$7850 \text{ kg/m}^3$ ($0.2836 \text{ lbs/in}^3$)**. This is a common value derived from standards such as **ASTM A1064/A1064M** for steel wire reinforcement.

All calculations are based rigorously on the formulas and data provided by these sources. For materials other than standard steel (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum), the weight calculation will differ.

The Formulas Explained

The calculator uses two distinct sets of formulas based on your selected tab.

1. Mesh Properties (Weight & Open Area)

These formulas determine the physical specifications of the mesh itself.

Mesh Pitch ($P$): The pitch is the center-to-center distance between two parallel wires. It is the sum of the aperture (opening) and one wire diameter.

• $P$ = Pitch (center-to-center spacing)
• $A$ = Aperture (clear opening between wires)
• $D$ = Wire Diameter

Open Area ($OA$): The open area is the percentage of the total mesh surface that is not blocked by wires. It's a ratio of the open space to the total space, squared (for a square area).

Weight per Area ($W$): The weight is calculated by finding the total volume of steel wire per square unit of area and multiplying it by the density of steel ($\rho$). For a 1m x 1m panel, the total length of wire is the number of wires in each direction ($1/P$) times 1m, summed for both directions.

• $\rho$ = Density of Steel ($7850 \text{ kg/m}^3$)
• $D_m$ = Wire Diameter in meters
• $P_m$ = Pitch in meters

2. Quantity Estimation (for Area)

These formulas estimate the total material needed for a specific job area.

Total Area ($TA$): This is the simple geometric area of the space you need to cover.

Total Mesh Required ($TM$): This is the total area plus an allowance for overlapping seams and waste.

Glossary of Variables

• Wire Diameter (D): The thickness of a single wire strand.
• Aperture (A): The clear, open space between two adjacent parallel wires.
• Pitch (P): The center-to-center distance from one wire to the next ($P = A + D$).
• Open Area (%): The percentage of the mesh surface that is open space. Crucial for airflow, sifting, or fluid passage.
• Weight per Area: The mass of the mesh for a given unit of area (e.g., kg/m² or lbs/ft²). Essential for structural load calculations and shipping.
• Overlap (%): An allowance added to the total area to account for overlapping sections of mesh, a common practice when reinforcing concrete slabs.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Example 1: Calculating Mesh Properties

You need to find the specifications for a mesh with a 5 mm wire diameter and a 50 mm aperture.

1. Select the "Properties (Weight & Open Area)" tab.
2. Enter 5 in "Wire Diameter" and select mm.
3. Enter 50 in "Aperture" and select mm.
4. Results:
   • Pitch ($P$): $5 \text{ mm} + 50 \text{ mm} = 55 \text{ mm}$
   • Open Area ($OA$): $(50 / 55)^2 \times 100 = (0.909)^2 \times 100 = 82.6\%$
   • Weight ($W$): Using the formula, this results in $\approx 5.56 \text{ kg/m}^2$ ($1.14 \text{ lbs/ft}^2$).

Example 2: Calculating Mesh Quantity

You are pouring a concrete slab that is 30 feet long by 20 feet wide. Your engineer specifies a 15% overlap for the mesh reinforcement.

1. Select the "Quantity (for Area)" tab.
2. Enter 30 in "Area Length" and select feet.
3. Enter 20 in "Area Width" and select feet.
4. Enter 15 in "Overlap Percentage".
5. Results:
   • Total Area ($TA$): $30 \text{ ft} \times 20 \text{ ft} = 600 \text{ ft}^2$
   • Overlap / Waste: $600 \text{ ft}^2 \times (15 / 100) = 90 \text{ ft}^2$
   • Total Mesh Required ($TM$): $600 \text{ ft}^2 + 90 \text{ ft}^2 = 690 \text{ ft}^2$

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)