Concrete Foundation Steel Reinforcement Requirements

[Member]

Hi,

Me again.

I'm debating Concrete Foundation Steel Reinforcement Requirements with my builder. Using the sources below I contend that in Wisconsin horizontal reinforcing steel in the form of multiple, continuous #4 bars is required within 24" of the top of the wall, within 24" of the bottom of the wall and at two more equally spaced locations if the wall is over 8 feet tall for a total of four locations. My builder says that one #4 at the top of the wall is sufficient and code compliant.

My question is, Is Concrete Foundation Horizontal Steel Reinforcement required in your area?

By the way, I'm in Seismic Design Category (SDC) B.

Thanks


The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code says:
"(d) Concrete. Plain, reinforced or prestressed concrete construction shall conform to the following standards:"
- and-
"2. ACI Standard 332, Residential Code Requirements for Structural Concrete."

ACI Standard 332 says:
"8.2.7 Horizontal reinforcement for both reinforced and plain concrete walls, horizontal reinforcement shall be provided in accordance with (a) through (f). For SDC D, E, and F, the provisions of (g) shall apply:
(a) Where walls exceed 6 ft in height, a minimum of three continuous, horizontal reinforcing bars shall be provided.
(b) Where walls exceed 8 ft in height, a minimum of four continuous, horizontal reinforcing bars shall be provided.
(c) For all wall heights, a minimum of one horizontal bar shall be located within the top 24 in. and a minimum of one in the bottom 24 in. The remaining required bars shall be spaced over the height of the wall as equally as practical.
(d) Horizontal reinforcement shall be secured as close as possible to the center of the wall from the vertical rein- forcement where present.
(e) Reinforcement lap length shall not be less than 24 in. (f) At corners, horizontal reinforcement shall extend around corners and lap reinforcement a minimum of 30db."


The International Residential Code 2015 says:
"R404.1.3 Concrete Foundation Walls

Concrete foundation walls that support light-frame walls shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section, ACI 318, ACI 332 or PCA 100.

- and -

R404.1.3.2 Reinforcement for Foundation Walls

Concrete foundation walls shall be laterally supported at the top and bottom. Horizontal reinforcement shall be provided in accordance with Table R404.1.2(1).

- and -

TABLE R404.1.2(1) MINIMUM HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENT FOR CONCRETE BASEMENT WALLSa, b

MAXIMUM UNSUPPORTED
HEIGHT OF BASEMENT WALL
(feet) LOCATION OF HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENT
≤ 8 One No. 4 bar within 12 inches of the top of the wall story and one No. 4 bar near mid-height of the wall story.
> 8 One No. 4 bar within 12 inches of the top of the wall story and one No. 4 bar near third points in the wall story."

 

[breadtrk]

Do whatever your inspector tells you he wants. It matters not one bit what the law is, just do what he wants. Make nice with him, become his friend. Life will be so much more simple. Add as much coated steel as you can afford, if the contractor don't like it, fire him.

 

[Streetcar]

Cost and time to install the horizontal rebar is minimal.
I would worry about builder wanting to skimp here
Not sure about code requirements, but I want the horizontal rebar to help control cracks
Coated rebar is only needed for protection against corrosion, not atypical foundation issue

 

[Rustyiron]

Have you spoken with the local town/county building inspector for any guidance yet? Your WI code is very clear.
It sounds like you do have at least one bar in that wall and I assume that's the one with the crack on the garage door area:confused3:
The builder & wall guy may be right about 1 bar being sufficient, and rebar will not keep concrete from cracking, but your confidence in him is now "cracked" and that's a tough one, for both of you. Someone (banker/lender/lawyer etc.) must have seen something like this before where there's a specific concern and come up with a clever legal document backed by an extended warranty/insurance policy paid for out of the builders side at the settlement table.
I'm just short of suggesting that you'll be fine as all we've seen on "this side" are a few pics. Do you have any friends that are in the business, a friend of a friend? A qualified impartial opinion might just put you at ease.

 

[downsizingnow48]

rebar is cheap to buy and install. no reason to skimp on this. if the builder is worried about a few hundred dollars of rebar and a few hours to install, something is wrong.

 

[Member]

Have you spoken with the local town/county building inspector for any guidance yet? Your WI code is very clear.
It sounds like you do have at least one bar in that wall and I assume that's the one with the crack on the garage door area:confused3:
The builder & wall guy may be right about 1 bar being sufficient, and rebar will not keep concrete from cracking, but your confidence in him is now "cracked" and that's a tough one, for both of you. Someone (banker/lender/lawyer etc.) must have seen something like this before where there's a specific concern and come up with a clever legal document backed by an extended warranty/insurance policy paid for out of the builders side at the settlement table.
I'm just short of suggesting that you'll be fine as all we've seen on "this side" are a few pics. Do you have any friends that are in the business, a friend of a friend? A qualified impartial opinion might just put you at ease.

Hi,

Yup, I'm the guy with the crack. In the crack area there's no rebar (across the entire front of the garage). In the rest of the foundation there is one #4 near the top of the wall. That's it.

I contend this is not code compliant. I have this questioni in to the inspector (who is not required to look at the forms and reinforcing before pouring and didn't) but I have yet to hear from him.

What reinforcement is required in your locale?

Thanks.

 

[Streetcar]

Since the wall is already built, the only thing that matters is your building code.
Is there another thread on this topic?
Horizontal rebar is installed for crack control as primary design function.
If wall is already cracked as recent construction, get a professional involved on your side before accepting a settlement

 

[Stimw]

Here is a pic of the base for my 40' X 60' building before the concrete pour.
There are 5 pieces of #4 rebar in the trenches for the footers per the concrete engineered print.
Every pier location has a 20' piece bent and called a "Hair Pin" aimed out in the slab.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hi,

Yup, I'm the guy with the crack. In the crack area there's no rebar (across the entire front of the garage). In the rest of the foundation there is one #4 near the top of the wall. That's it.

I contend this is not code compliant. I have this questioni in to the inspector (who is not required to look at the forms and reinforcing before pouring and didn't) but I have yet to hear from him.

What reinforcement is required in your locale?

Thanks.

How do you know they didn't put any rebar at the front of your garage?

As already stated, rebar is fairly cheap and easy to install. Tell your builder that you want extra and make him do it your way. Code is a minimum requirement. There is nothing wrong with making it better.

Biggest mistakes I see with foundations is not using chairs to keep the rebar in the middle or lower third of the pad. Sadly, too many lazy contractors tell you that they just pull up the rebar while working the concrete, and even do it once or twice for pictures. But then they walk all over it and by the time it's all said and done, your rebar is at the bottom of the pad. Wire is even worse and should never be used for a house.

The other big mistake is allowing them to use too much water. Water creates volume, which takes up space. When the water evaporates out of the concrete mix, you are left with less volume. This is where the cracks come from. Bigger cracks equal too much water. If the soil wasn't compacted well enough, that will take years to show up. If the cracks happen in a week or two, it's from too much water.

Rebar holds the concrete together. All concrete cracks. If you don't use too much water, the cracks are hairline and most of the time, not even visible.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Are plans approved by the county? What rebar is shown on the plan?