Helical rebar (also known as spiral reinforcement or coiled rebar) is specialist steel reinforcement wound in a continuous helix pattern, designed specifically for reinforcing cylindrical and circular concrete structures.
What is Helical Reinforcement Used For?
Helical rebar is essential for providing lateral confinement and shear resistance in:
-
Concrete Piles - Driven, bored and CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) piles
-
Concrete Columns - Circular columns requiring spiral confinement
-
Precast Concrete Posts - Lighting columns, fence posts, telegraph poles
-
Bridge Piers - Cylindrical pier reinforcement
-
Foundation Caissons - Deep foundation reinforcement
-
Cylindrical Tanks - Water tanks, silos and storage vessels
Configure Your Custom Helical Rebar Online
Our advanced online calculator lets you specify exact dimensions:
-
Outer Diameter (O/D): The diameter of the helix/spiral (100mm - 5000mm)
-
Number of Turns: How many complete rotations required (minimum 1 turn)
-
Pitch: Vertical spacing between each turn in mm (can be 0 for tightly wound)
-
Bar Diameter: 8mm, 10mm or 12mm reinforcement bar thickness
Our system uses precise helix geometry calculations to determine the exact length of steel required, giving you instant accurate pricing based on weight.
Available Sizes
Bar Diameters Available:
- 8mm Helical Rebar (Ø8 - Ref 252) - Most flexible, ideal for tight spirals
- 10mm Helical Rebar (Ø10 - Ref 252) - Standard specification
- 12mm Helical Rebar (Ø12 - Ref 252) - Maximum strength option
Note: Helical reinforcement uses smaller diameter bars (8-12mm) to maintain flexibility during the winding process. For heavier structural loads, specify tighter pitch or multiple helical cages.
Why Choose Helical Over Links/Stirrups?
Compared to traditional rectangular links, helical reinforcement provides:
- ✓ Superior confinement - Continuous spiral provides even pressure distribution
- ✓ Better ductility - Improved performance under seismic/dynamic loads
- ✓ Faster installation - No individual links to tie, simply slide over longitudinal bars
- ✓ Reduced labour costs - Pre-fabricated to exact specifications
- ✓ No sharp corners - Easier concrete compaction, better cover
Technical Specifications
| Standard |
BS 4449:2005+A3:2016 (High yield steel reinforcement) |
| Grade |
B500B (500 N/mm² characteristic yield strength) |
| Form |
Ribbed deformed bars for enhanced bond |
| Tolerances |
BS 8666:2020 Specification for scheduling, dimensioning, bending and cutting |
| Surface |
Mill finish (galvanised available on request) |
How to Order Custom Helical Rebar
Option 1: Online Calculator (Instant pricing)
- Select bar diameter (8mm, 10mm or 12mm)
- Enter outer diameter of your structure
- Specify number of turns required
- Enter pitch (spacing between turns) - or enter 0 for tightly wound
- See instant price based on calculated steel weight
- Add to cart and checkout
Option 2: Send Your Bending Schedule
Have a project with multiple helical cages or specific engineering requirements? Send us your rebar bending schedule for a detailed quote. We can handle:
- Complex multi-diameter helical cages
- Projects requiring structural engineer certification
- Large volume orders
- Special finish requirements (galvanised, epoxy-coated)
Pricing
Our calculator automatically computes the total length using helix geometry, calculates weight, and provides instant pricing.
Delivery
-
Next Day Delivery available across most of the UK
-
Standard Delivery 3-5 working days nationwide
- Free delivery on orders over specified weight thresholds
Custom cut and bent products are manufactured to order. Lead time depends on complexity and current workload - typically 3-5 working days plus delivery.
Quality Assurance
All our helical reinforcement is:
- ✓ Manufactured from certified BS 4449 steel
- ✓ Cut and bent to BS 8666:2020 tolerances
- ✓ Supplied with mill certificates on request
- ✓ Inspected for dimensional accuracy
- ✓ Packaged to prevent damage in transit
Expert Support
Not sure about specifications or need technical advice? Our team has extensive experience with helical reinforcement applications.
Contact us:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between helical rebar and spiral rebar?
A: They are the same thing - different terms for continuous coiled reinforcement. Also called "spirals" or "helix reinforcement".
Q: Can I specify zero pitch for a tightly wound spiral?
A: Yes, enter 0 for pitch to create a tightly wound coil with turns touching.
Q: Why only 8-12mm diameters for helical?
A: Smaller diameter bars are more flexible, making them easier to form into tight spirals. For heavier loads, use smaller pitch or multiple cages rather than thicker bars.
Q: Can helical rebar be galvanised?
A: Yes, galvanised helical reinforcement is available on request. Contact us for pricing.
Q: Do you supply longitudinal bars for pile cages?
A: Yes, we supply straight rebar in all standard sizes. You can order both helical and longitudinal bars together for complete pile cage fabrication.
Q: What's the minimum and maximum size you can produce?
A: Outer diameter: 100mm - 5,000mm. Number of turns: minimum 1. Pitch: 0mm - 1,000mm. Contact us for requirements outside these ranges.
Order your custom helical reinforcement online now or request a quote for larger projects. NextDaySteel - the UK's leading online steel reinforcement supplier.
