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Kawat Bendrat
STRUCTURE & PHYSICSbeginner
Definition
Binding wire — soft steel wire used to tie rebar (besi-tulangan) together at intersections before concrete is poured. Kawat bendrat holds the steel cage in place during placement and consolidation. It is applied in short loops twisted with pliers, and remains in the hardened concrete where it does not contribute to structural capacity.
Example
On an Indonesian construction site, labourers spend hours wrapping kawat bendrat around every intersection of the rebar grid — tying with a small wire loop that holds the bars rigidly in place and prevents shifting as wet concrete is vibrated and consolidated around the steel.