About us

We are here to help you build using reinforced concrete

Our mission is to support reinforcing steel quality and capability in Australia’s building and construction industry. As a not-for-profit Institute, we provide the building industry with technical support and information relating to the use of steel reinforcing bar and steel reinforcing mesh in concrete construction.

Founded in 1976, we are funded primarily by our Processor Members who supply most of Australia’s steel reinforcement requirements. The Institute is also supported by our local Steel Mill member, InfraBuild, and Associate members.

What we do

Our objectives

MEMBER SERVICES

Develop excellence in the manufacture and supply of steel reinforcement by establishing QUALITY AND SAFETY BENCHMARKS for membership.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

Inform the building industry about steel reinforcement advancements through SEMINARS, RESEARCH PROGRAMS, SITE TOURS and FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

CODES, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

Support modern, easy-to-use steel reinforcement design Standards.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Promote the proven benefits of reinforced concrete to ensure it remains the material of choice for Australia’s built environment.

Technical leadership

Awards, seminars and research

2022Colin Crisp Award – Engineering Conservation Project Winner for Guide to Historical Steel Reinforcement in Australia by Engineers Australia.

2020Australian Engineering Excellence Awards Finalist – Guide to Historical Steel Reinforcment in Australia by Engineers Australia.

2019NSW Award for Excellence – Guide to Historical Steel Reinforcement in Australia by Concrete Institute of Australia.

RECENT SEMINARS & LECTURES

Earthquakes and AS 3600 – Association of Consulting Structural Engineers of Victoria (ACSEV)
Residential Slabs and Footings Construction Requirements – Engineers Australia, SA Footings Group
Design and Detailing for Resilience and Sustainability of Concrete Structures – Concrete 2023

RESEARCH

Class L Mesh Slabs – Curtin University
Seismic performance of precast concrete structures – University of Melbourne
Performance of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill panels – University of Adelaide

POPULAR PUBLICATIONS

TECHNICAL LIBRARY

Extensive in-house library of books about the design and use of steel reinforcement in Australia. A major contributor to the library is John Woodside OAM. Open to the public by appointment.

Codes, standards and regulations

Standards Australia committees

The SRIA strives to achieve quality and continuous improvement through its active involvement in the following Standards Australia Committees:

BD-002Concrete structuresAS 3600

WD-003Welding of structuresAS 1554

BD-006Structural design actionsAS 1170

BD-025Residential slabs and footingsAS 2870

BD-066Tilt-up concrete constructionAS 3850

BD-084Steel reinforcing materialsAS/NZS 4671

BD-090Bridge designAS 5100

BD-098Guide to residential pavementsAS 3727

Market development

Why reinforced concrete

DURABLE

Durability is the #1 reason for why Australians choose reinforced concrete.

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DURABLE

Australia’s first reinforced concrete structure, Johnston’s Creek Sewer Aqueduct in Annandale (Sydney), was completed in 1896 to carry sewerage from the densely populated inner west suburbs of Balmain, Annandale and Glebe. The 127-year-old aqueduct continues to serve the local community today.

VERSATILE

No other building material provides the design freedom like reinforced concrete.

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VERSATILE

Large open spaces are created through expansive column spacing with reinforced concrete. Monolithic structures and innovative shapes can be achieved with reinforced concrete because it can be moulded and formed in-situ and designed with no transport limitations.

ECONOMICAL

Reinforced Concrete offers greater ‘lifetime’ value than other building materials.

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ECONOMICAL

Steel reinforcement and concrete are produced at scale in Australia and distributed by competitive supply chains with stringent quality standards. We have a highly skilled trade base for the design, production, transport, and construction of reinforced concrete structures. Hence, the speed of construction is unmatched by any other building material. Minimal maintenance is another key factor for why reinforced concrete is cost efficient.

SUSTAINABLE

Steel is a 100% recyclable material, with no loss in material strength or quality.

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SUSTAINABLE

Steel reinforcement is manufactured locally using recycled steel as a key part of our circular economy. This steel is produced in an electric arc furnace using electricity to melt the scrap metal. As our power supply transitions from fossil fuels to renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and hydrogen, steel will become increasingly more sustainable. Another eco-friendly characteristic of reinforced concrete is its capacity to be adapted and repurposed, such as AMP’s Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney.

RESILIENT

In a country where almost 90% of the population live within 50km of the coast, Australian structures need to withstand highly exposed environments.

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RESILIENT

Steel in concrete gives designers’ confidence that the structure will endure harsh weather conditions over the long term. The properties of reinforced concrete contribute to its resilience following natural disasters. Strength against cyclones and severe storms, impervious to water damage from floods, and resistance to hail, heatwaves, and fire (incombustible), makes reinforced concrete the safest method of construction.

DURABLE

Durability is the #1 reason for why Australians choose reinforced concrete. Australia’s first reinforced concrete structure, Johnston’s Creek Sewer Aqueduct in Annandale (Sydney), was completed in 1896 to carry sewerage from the densely populated inner west suburbs of Balmain, Annandale and Glebe. The 127-year-old aqueduct continues to serve the local community today.

VERSATILE

No other building material provides the design freedom like reinforced concrete. Large open spaces are created through expansive column spacing with reinforced concrete. Monolithic structures and innovative shapes can be achieved with reinforced concrete because it can be moulded and formed in-situ and designed with no transport limitations.

ECONOMICAL

Reinforced Concrete offers greater ‘lifetime’ value than other building materials. Steel reinforcement and concrete are produced at scale in Australia and distributed by competitive supply chains with stringent quality standards. We have a highly skilled trade base for the design, production, transport, and construction of reinforced concrete structures. Hence, the speed of construction is unmatched by any other building material. Minimal maintenance is another key factor for why reinforced concrete is cost efficient.

SUSTAINABLE

Steel is a 100% recyclable material, with no loss in material strength or quality. Steel reinforcement is manufactured locally using recycled steel as a key part of our circular economy. This steel is produced in an electric arc furnace using electricity to melt the scrap metal. As our power supply transitions from fossil fuels to renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and hydrogen, steel will become increasingly more sustainable.

Another eco-friendly characteristic of reinforced concrete is its capacity to be adapted and repurposed, such as AMP’s Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney.

RESILIENT

In a country where almost 90% of the population live within 50km of the coast, Australian structures need to withstand highly exposed environments. Steel in concrete gives designers’ confidence that the structure will endure harsh weather conditions over the long term. The properties of reinforced concrete contribute to its resilience following natural disasters. Strength against cyclones and severe storms, impervious to water damage from floods, and resistance to hail, heatwaves, and fire (incombustible), makes reinforced concrete the safest method of construction.