Non-contact Lap Slice Maximum Distance

[NS4U]

ACI 12.14.2.3 says that the maximum TRANSVERSE distance between lap bars in non-contact lap splices is ethier 1/5 the lap length or 6"

In a beam say, what is the "transverse" spacing? vertical spacing? Hoziontal? Both? It sounds to me that ACI was intentionally being vague

 

[miecz]

Transverse here means in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the bars (assuming your lapped bars are parallel to each other through the lap). If your bars are offset horizontally and vertically, then the transverse distance is on the diagonal.