A rodbuster sounds like a tool that busts rods, or someone who breaks down rods for a living, but this is not the case. A rodbuster is someone who works on a construction site and secures metal rods and bars into concrete to keep the building from collapsing. Many skills are needed to be an effective rodbuster, such as physical strength and knowing how to use tools, as is a knowledge of geometry. Without good geometry skills, rodbusters might bend a bar too far or not enough, which can ruin the building’s durability. Most rodbusters will need certifications to use the rod-bending tools, and most training is done on the job, but a college degree in mathematics can be helpful.
When the skeleton of a building is made, there are large concrete forms at the bottom for the foundation. Although concrete is strong, it is not invulnerable. This is why a rodbuster is called in to help secure the building’s skeleton. He or she is responsible for driving metal bars or rods into the concrete to further create the skeleton and to reinforce the building’s construction. Without a rodbuster, buildings could collapse within a relatively short period of time.
Rodbusters and contractors typically work together to adequately plan the building’s construction. First, the contractor will work on the concrete forms and will review the plans with the rodbuster. The rodbuster will then make plans for how to get the metal bars into the concrete for the best durability, and the two will look over those plans and make any revisions. For this reason, a rodbuster needs great teamwork skills to avoid conflicts on the job and to avoid poor building construction.
Even though machines are mostly used for the bending and manipulating of metal, physical strength and endurance are essential for rodbusters. They need to move the heavy tools, use them on the large pieces of metal and constantly move around. Along with stamina, a rodbuster must not be afraid of heights or get vertigo at certain heights. Rodbusters frequently work up high, so they must be able to work under these conditions.
Perhaps more important than stamina for a rodbuster are geometry and math skills. If the rodbuster does not know how to adequately measure angles or how to best secure the building, then everything can fall apart. This is why most rodbusters will need a college degree in mathematics such as geometry. Most of the other requirements, such as tool knowledge, can be taught on the job. Certifications might be needed to use some of the tools.