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Detailing and Placing
Reinforcing Bars
BY PAUL F. RICE
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
CONCRETE REINFORCING STEEL INSTITUTE
T he 1963 ACI Code for the first time provides specifi-
cally for new steels, lightweight aggregates, structur-
al systems, special large bars, and design methods.
Many of the previous specifications were updated so
that they will be valid throughout the whole range of ap-
plication for the new code. Designers will, in certain in-
stances, have to provide more complete information for
detailing. New books on reinforced concrete design and
details based upon the 1963 ACI Code will soon appear.
The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute is now prepar-
ing a two-volume Design Handbook for working stress
design and ultimate strength design. This article will
consider only the problems of details for the new high
strength steels and the special bars.
Proper details have always been important to design-
ers and contractors, but we have been taking details for
granted. A routine design or specification note that de-
tails shall conform to the ACI Detailing Manual and a
routine sort of inspection have usually been sufficient.
Past codes, even as late as 1956, presented us with rules-
of-thumb for reinforced concrete details, proven by
years of successful use with steel stress limited to 20,000
psi in combination with low working stresses in the con-
crete.
New materials and methods of design and construc-
tion have been developed in the past 10 years that re-
quired new code provisions. This has been particularly
true of reinforcing steels. Figure 1 gives the important
properties of new types of reinforcement recognized in
the 1963 Code.
How will the utilization of these new steels affect de-
signs? The 1963 ACI Code separates design into two
methods, ultimate strength design (USD) and working
stress design (WSD).
Working stress design is the conventional method.
With ordinary concrete, any steel in standard size bars
(up to #11), and a working stress of 24,000 psi or less,
our previous design procedure is essentially unchanged
except for shear and bond. Our usual standard details
apply except for splices, end anchorage, and edge beams
with torsion. Even under the 1956 ACI Code there was a
need for special details when 75,000 psi yield strength
bars were used in columns, and all lap splices of special
#14S or #18S were not covered. Tension lap splices of
#14S and #18S bars are now prohibited entirely, and
welded or mechanical splices are required. Such splices
are also preferred for compression, although bars not re-
quired to carry tension may be spliced by end-bearing.
The detailed provisions must be shown on design draw-
ings and in specifications and never left to the detailer.
Ultimate strength design was first recognized in the
1956 Code, but no specific procedures for design of con-
nections and details were included. This deficiency is
remedied for the most part in the 1963 ACI Code. In or-
der to utilize properly yield points above 40,000 psi the
new code provides for more than proportionately longer
splices and anchorages. See Figure 2. The designer is al-
most compelled, in any cast-in-place construction, to
stagger splices. He is encouraged to enclose splices by
closed ties or spirals. He is required to use mechanical
connections or to weld all tension splices of #14S and
#18S bars. The 1963 Code states that splices in tension in
flexural members must be fully developed and shall
transfer the entire stress from bar to bar. This ambiguity
is a holdover from the 1956 ACI Code. Welded splices
and mechanical connections must develop a definite
125 percent of the full specified yield point of the bars or
an additional 25 percent bar area must be provided.
Although various lesser laps have been common in
practice under WSD, welded wire fabric figured at 60,000
psi under USD must be lapped a full mesh plus 2 inches
plus overhangs. Thus, anchorage of the end cross-wire is
at least one-half mesh plus 2 inches beyond the most
critical crack. Figure 3.
Plain bars require double the embedment length
 Exceptions are permitted for tighter bends
FIGURE INEW TYPES OF REINFORCEMENT
(1) of stirrups and ties, where bar size will usu-
IN THE 1963 CODE
ally be less than #5 and where the inside of the
1963 Code Stresses bend usually bears on the longitudinal steel,
ASTM Size ASTM ksi and (2) of structural and intermediate grades
Specified only, in #6 to #11 sizes. The latter are common-
Specifi- Bars yield fs, WSD fy, USD ly needed at ends of shallow slabs or joist con-
cation fy struction. If the design utilizes higher than
* (ksi) Tension Compression Tension Compression 40,000 psi yield and tighter than minimum
bending is necessary in some particular loca-
A432 #3 thru 60 24 24 60 60
tion, it is now the responsibility of the engineer
#18S
30(2) to check: (1) that the detail is specially noted,
that the job specification permits hot bending,
A408 #14S Str. 33 18 13.2 33 33 and that the steel is not injured by improper
# 18S Inter. 40 20 16 40 40 heating and cooling procedures; (2) that the
Hard. 50 20 20 50 50 concrete strength is sufficient to prevent crush-
ing; and (3) that splitting is prevented. The de-
A185(1) Welded 24 signer and contractor should clearly under-
wire varies stand that such bending may be impossible
fabric to 30(2) without heat and that hot bending is special
1/2 dia. 60 and costly. Unless these points are appreciated
and suitable provisions made, extra charges are
A431 #3 thru 75 24 30 75(3) 75(4)
#18s inevitable. Crushing inside a bend of too small
30(2) a radius should be considered. Most of us have
never even thought of this possibility or much
A61 #3 thru 60 24 24 60 60 less likely analyzed it. With the standard size
(Rail) # 11 bars and minimum radii as shown, 40,000 psi
30(2) steel and the usual concrete strengths, say
3,000 psi, we know from experience that no
(1) When cross wires are not more than six gauge number smaller in size than check on crushing is needed.
main wires and spaced not more than 12 inches, welded wire fabric may be
used as equivalent to deformed bars in slabs. In USD, particularly where high strength
(2) For sizes 3/8 inch diameter or less in one-way slabs with spans not more steels are utilized, we may find the minimum
than 12 feet only. radii too tight for low strength concretes. The
(3) Only when justified by an accepted full-scale load test. trend toward higher concrete strengths may
(4) Only when strain is not more than 0.003 at a proof stress equal to specified help to avoid difficulty, but the conservative
fy. Elsewhere, the fy for design shall be 63.75 hsi. approach would be not to exceed the propor-
General tionate crushing stresses we have found satis-
* If reinforcing bars are to be welded, these ASTM Specs must be supple- factory. See Figure 5. This diagram is repro-
mented by requirements to assure weldability in conformance with AWS
D12.1-61. duced from discussions published following
** In computing strength capacity of various reinforced concrete members ap- the 1956 ACI Code adoption and illustrates a
propriate reduction factors are required; computed steel stresses at ultimate simplified two-dimensional analytic approach
design load will consequently be reduced. suitable to determine only the relative crushing

specified for deformed bars. In addition all ends must be

hooked (except for temperature or bottom bars at an in- FIGURE 2a. COMPRESSION LAP SPLICE LENGTHS
termediate support). A plain bar tension splice for prac- (For vertical bars in which the critical design stress is
tical reasons, therefore, will seldom be seen; in fact, plain compressive in spiral or tied columns)
bars are just practically never used except as slip dowels
or temperature bars. Minimum Lap Lengths (in Bar Dia.)
The details of bar fabrication are no longer standard (For fc = 3,000 psi*)
for all designs. For convenience, the new code consoli-
dates all provisions relating to fabricating and placing Steel yield, ksi fy=50 fy=60 fy=75
bars into one chapter. Only minimum bend radii are Bars #5#11 20 D 24 D 30 D
prescribed. These radii represent the minimum that can Bars #14S & # 18S Lap Slices Not Recommended
be expected by cold bending in any recognized grade of
steel. See Figure 4. Please note that the ASTM specifica- * When fc is less than 3,000 psi, increase all lap lengths
tions do not require any bend tests for #14S and #18S, shown by one-third.
special large size bars; nor for rail steel.
 FIGURE 2b.MINIMUM TENSION LAP SPLICE LENGTHS*
(Applicable to deformed A 305 bars; fc=3,000 psi;
minimum cover and spacing 6 in. or 6 bar dia.)**

Top Bars Other Bars

Bar fs = 20 fs = 24 fy = 60 fs = 20 fs= 24 fy = 60
Size fy = 40 (WSD) (USD) fy = 40 (WSD) (USD)

#2 (plain) 12 18 18 12 18 18
#3 12 14 14 12 14 14
#4 12 18 18 12 18 18
#5 15 23 23 15 23 23
#6 21 27 31 18 27 27
#7 28 33 42 21 32 32
#8 36 43 55 27 36 38
#9 46 55 70 34 41 48
#10 58 70 88 43 49 61
#11 72 86 109 53 60 75

#14S# 18S Lap splices not permitted.

* Minimums 12 in. or **(a) For plain bars (#2) minimum laps are doubled.
For fs = 20 ksi Top bars, L = 35.9 D2 > 24D (b) For fc other than 3,000 psi, multiply laps shown by
fy = 40 ksi Other bars, L = 26.5 D2 > 24D 3,000
For fs = 24 ksi Top bars, L = 43.1 D2 > 36D fc but lap not less than minimums at left. fc
Other bars, L = 31.8 D2 > 36D (c) Except in columns with spirals or extra ties. For lap
For fy = 60 ksi Top bars, L = 54.5 D2 > 36D with cover or spacing less than 6 inches or 6D, add 20
percent to all tabulated values.
Other bars, L = 37.8 D2 > 36D

stresses. It neglects transverse stress effects and so gives Figure 3WELDED WIRE FABRIC
no indication of the induced tension tending to split the
surrounding concrete.
Numerous recent tests show that our modern de-
formed bar cannot develop its full bond value unless the
concrete is prevented from splitting. At all lap splices,
hooks, end anchorages in limited thickness concrete
sections, and any other tight spots, a conservative de-
signer will consider using special ties, stirrups, spirals, or
transverse reinforcement.
Field welded connections (including arc and thermit
welding) will be more commonly used especially with
the growing use of large bars, high strength steels, and
precast concrete. (For common details see Figure 6).
Several patented mechanical connectors are on the mar-
ketconsisting, in general, of high strength steel sleeves
with serrated interiors, fitted loosely on the bar and filled Splice for 1/2 or less than 1/2 permissible stress
with nonferrous metal or with wedging type sleeves with
toothed interiors. End-bearing connections for pure
compression splices are acceptable and more economi- with a deviation up to 2 degrees at the contact surfaces
cal than the fully developed (125 percent) tension-com- of the two bars. A 2 degree tolerance on the ends of the
pression weld or connection. Note that the end prepa- individual bars is recommended. Field adjustments
ration of these bars requires a saw-cut. An ordinary such as rotating the bar may be necessary to ensure a
sheared end will not provide adequate bearing. Pilot close contact. In the application of these purely com-
tests indicate no significant loss in compressive capacity pressive column splices, it is essential that splices be so
staggered to maintain a symmetrical arrangement of un-
 FIGURE 4.MINIMUM RADII ON INSIDE OF BEND FIGURE 5. CRUSHING INSIDE BENDS OF BARS
BAR MINIMUM
SIZE RADII
#3, #4, or #5 2 1/2 bar diameters
#6, #7, or #8 3 bar diameters
#9, #10, or #11 4 bar diameters
#14S* or #18S* 5 bar diameters

* ASTM Specifications for these sizes do not require any

bend test.
Note Exceptions:
1. Stirrups and ties only1 bar diameter. a) Portion of an inclined (b) Assumed parabolic
2. #6 to #11 inclusive, structural and intermediate grades bar and acting forces. stress distribution of lo-
cal pressure on bend.

FIGURE 6a. c = 2T sin

2
SCHEDULE OF PREFERRED JOINT DETAILS FOR ARC-
WELDED SPLICES IN REINFORCING BARS Area of pressure, Ap Ap 2r sin d
2
2
C d
Joint Type Recommended Remarks Max. local pressure, p =
p Ap = rd T = f
Bar Size 4 s
df s df s

Square End with No. 6 and p=

4r
r=
4 p
Angle Backup Smaller

Single Vee with 5 to 9 Detail EXAMPLE

Angle Backup below Relative crushing stresses under ordinary past practice with f s =
10,000 psi at hook.
Single Vee without 5 to 9
Backup Bar Size Radius of bend to Relative Crushing Stress
axis of bar* (Max.) p=
Double Vee 8 to 18S #3, #4, #5 r=3d 2,600 psi

#6, #7, #8 r=312 d 2,250 psi

Double Bevel 8 to 18S For verticle bars
#9, #10, #11 r=412d 1,750 psi
Sleeve 11,14S, 18S Detail at
right *Add 12 d to minimum radii as specified in code.

FIGURE 6c.

FIGURE 6b.

SLEEVE SPLICE
FOR COMPRESSION ONLY
 FIGURE 7. RECOMMENDED SIZESSTIRRUP & TIE HOOKS
D= 1 1/2 in. for #2, #3, #4, and #5 bars
Structural and Intermediate Grades

RECOMMENDED HOOKS (D= 112 in.)

Bar 90 135
Size
d Hook Hook Approx.
A or G J A or G H

#2 3 312 312 214

#3 3 334 4 212
#4 312 414 412 314
#5 412 512 5 334

Bends and hooks in stirrups or ties may be bent to the

diameter of the principal reinforcing bar enclosed therein.

FIGURE 8.ALTERNATE COLUMN TIE LAYOUTS

spliced verticals in each face of the
column. The percentage of bars
which may be spliced at each stag-
gered position, usually 25 to 50 per-
cent, must be determined by design
requirements and shown on design
drawings. The code implies that the
remaining unspliced bars provide
125 percent, at working stress or ul-
timate load, of the maximum ten-
sion at the splice point. Ties just
above and below any such splices
are a precaution which prudent de-
signers will require.
Another critical point in the de-
sign of detail connections of
columns is just below the supported
slab or drop panel. Additional ties
at the top of a column are always de-
sirable especially where the framing
beams are not balanced on four
sides, and such transverse rein-
forcement is specifically required
just below the sloping portion of off-
set column verticals, where no
framing beam is available to confine
the lateral thrust.
Some of the 1963 ACI Code
changes produce substantial
economies in details. For instance
the new standard 90 degree stirrup
and tie hooks with 6 bar diameter
extensions (tails) have long been
preferred by the steel setter and fab-
ricator to the 1956 Code hooks
which were either 135 degrees or
had 12 bar diameter tails. Figure 7.
The new provisions require a sepa-
rate tie corner only at alternate in-
ner column verticals and permit a
45 degree bend at the vertical bar in-
stead of 90 degrees, which results in
considerable economies. For exam-
ple, in a square column with 20 ver-
tical bars the 1956 Code required 5
ties per set; under the 1963 Code on-
ly 2 ties per set are required, one
square tie enclosing all the bars and
one special octagonal tie for alter-
nate inner bars. Figure 8. Not only is
there a material economy, but the
concrete placing is facilitated
through the clear core area with
much less likelihood of honeycomb
since there is plenty of space for vi-
bration and no obstructing ties.
Finally, the more elaborate our
design, the more exact our analysis,
the more we should never forget the
importance of proper bar placing.
The new code for the first time spec-
ifies placing tolerances for the final
position of reinforcement. These
tolerances were first published in
the book, CRSI Recommended
Practice for Placing Reinforcing
Bars, 1959. Bar supports do not fig-
ure in a design and they dont come
under code jurisdiction unless the
PUBLICATION #C650005
Copyright 1965, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved
bar support fails its purpose. A de-
signer or inspector checking details
should not accept less than the 1963
CRSI Industry Standard for Bar Sup-
ports. This standard for bar sup-
ports plus much other information
on proper details required by the
1963 ACI Code will also appear in
the 1964 edition of the ACI Detail -
ing Manual.