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Minimume Spacing between Top and Bottom Steel Mesh in Rfat Foundation??
- Thread starter TekEngr
- Start date
SlideRuleEra
Structural
shahg123 - This was discussed in your recent thread, Link, but it is true you did not get a direct answer:
Codes do not require a minimum spacing between top and bottom rebar mats. Codes are not "cookbooks" where you "look-up" all the answers. The intend of a code is to keep an Engineer from producing a design that has flaws which have, over time, proven to cause problems.
Rebar mat spacing is a human judgment decision. There is no "problem" spacing the mats with near zero spacing, the software that you have used confirmed that. However a dose of engineering judgment indicates that near zero spacing is a waste of materials.
In your other thread, I essentially agree with the discussion and advice you received from SemiPE, clear spacing of 100 mm is a reasonable minimum.
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![[r2d2]](/data/assets/smilies/r2d2.gif "[r2d2] [r2d2]")
Codes do not require a minimum spacing between top and bottom rebar mats. Codes are not "cookbooks" where you "look-up" all the answers. The intend of a code is to keep an Engineer from producing a design that has flaws which have, over time, proven to cause problems.
Rebar mat spacing is a human judgment decision. There is no "problem" spacing the mats with near zero spacing, the software that you have used confirmed that. However a dose of engineering judgment indicates that near zero spacing is a waste of materials.
In your other thread, I essentially agree with the discussion and advice you received from SemiPE, clear spacing of 100 mm is a reasonable minimum.
Minimum clear spacing = (dt + db)/2
Currently looking at an old (1950s) 1-way slab that is only 4" thick (100 mm). Cover is 3/4" with top and bottom steel mats. Not ideal to anchor to, but it spans 10'-0" fairly well. Every other 1/2" diameter bar (reinforcing is 6" oc) is bent to transition from top to bottom reinforcing.
Currently looking at an old (1950s) 1-way slab that is only 4" thick (100 mm). Cover is 3/4" with top and bottom steel mats. Not ideal to anchor to, but it spans 10'-0" fairly well. Every other 1/2" diameter bar (reinforcing is 6" oc) is bent to transition from top to bottom reinforcing.
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