High-yield steel vs. mild steel as road reinforcement

High yield steel is the preferred material for the reinforcement of concrete carriageway due to the subsequent reasons:

(i)  The primary function of steel reinforcement in concrete pavement is to control cracking. If mild steel is adopted for reinforcement, upon initiation of crack formation mild steel becomes overstressed and is prone to yielding. High yield steel provides resistance to crack growth. The above situation is generally encountered where there is abnormal traffic loads on concrete carriageway exceeding the design limit. 

(ii) High-yield steel is less prone to deformation and bending at the time of routine handling operation.

(iii)In the current market, steel mesh reinforcement is generally of high-yield steel type and usage of mild steel as road reinforcement needs the placing of special orders to the suppliers.