Title:
Concrete Q & A: Should Reinforcing Bars be Supported by Bars Driven into the Ground?
Author(s):
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
26
Issue:
11
Appears on pages(s):
124
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
11/1/2004
Abstract:
We’re placing a foundation slab for a building and want to support the reinforcing bars in the slab by driving reinforcing bars into the ground, then tying the horizontal bars to these bars, which are used for support only. The bottom bars will be tied 3 in. (76 mm) above the ground surface to provide the cover depth of 3 in. required by Section 7.7.1 of ACI 318-02. The inspector says we can’t support the bars this way because the bars embedded in the ground (with zero cover) may corrode, and thus cause corrosion of the horizontal bars tied to them. ACI 318-02 doesn’t seem to give any guidance on the issue of bar support. Is there information in other publications that can shed some light on this disagreement?