rebar ties/spiral availability
rebar ties/spiral availability
(OP)
I am working on a side project designing circular piers for minor structures...cabins, storage sheds, etc. The owners are most likely do-it-yourselfers or small time contractors who may not be familiar with procurring steel reinforcement from a fabricator.
The piers may extend 2-3 feet out of the ground in some instances and so I want some vertical steel in there and would subsequently want some kind of confinement/circular ties along with it.
I know you can get #4 and #5 bars in small lengths at Lowes and Home Depot but I am worried about the availability of ties/spirals for the average builder. Does anyone know if these are available commercially in a box store or similar? Has anyone used an alternative that is more readily available for these type of situations?
The piers may extend 2-3 feet out of the ground in some instances and so I want some vertical steel in there and would subsequently want some kind of confinement/circular ties along with it.
I know you can get #4 and #5 bars in small lengths at Lowes and Home Depot but I am worried about the availability of ties/spirals for the average builder. Does anyone know if these are available commercially in a box store or similar? Has anyone used an alternative that is more readily available for these type of situations?
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi






RE: rebar ties/spiral availability
RE: rebar ties/spiral availability
As far as ties, I suspect they're not available in Home Depot but any reinforcing fabricator can bend them.
RE: rebar ties/spiral availability
Also, there is no problem with square ties in a small, round pier. These are quickly produced in automatic bending equipment from many fabricators. Once a contractor does this one time, s/he will ALWAYS go to a fabricator because it is just too easy and inexpensive. Encourage the contractor to seek out a fabricator and just call or drop in. Typically, the cost will be the same or less for fabricated bar than for straight material from a retail supplier.
While I never advocate on-site bending due to quality control issues (bend radius, etc.) and safety, for DIY the suggestion to use WWR is a good one.