Reinforcing Bar Placing

Reinforcing bar placing drawings are the instructions from the engineers to the contractors on how to build the structure to resist the anticipated loads. They provide the details and placing instructions so that the ironworkers can set the reinforcing bars into place in the formwork.

Bar Spacing

Placing drawings are used to show where the reinforcing bars to be placed. Sometimes the structural and placing drawings are very specific about exactly where reinforcing bar is placed. The ironworkers need to figure out how those reinforcing bars relate to the overall dimensions of the structure.

Bar Supports

Bar Tying Requirements
(6.1mb, Flash Video)

This CRSI video illustrates how reinforcing bar should properly be tied in placing.

The amount of concrete cover over the reinforcing bar is very important. If it's constructed properly, the concrete protects the reinforcing bar. Bar supports are used to hold the reinforcing bar up off the formwork or the ground to attain the proper depth of cover. They range from as simple as plain concrete blocks to plastic chairs, to wire bar supports.

Bar Tying Requirements

Rebar is tied together, using wire, to hold it in place.

To the right is a diagram of typical ties:

Detail A: "Snap Tie" (diagram upper left) is the simplest and is usually used for rebar in a flat horizontal position.

Detail B: "Wrap and Snap Tie" (diagram upper right) is normally used when tying vertical wall reinforcement to hold the bars securely into place.

Detail C: "Saddle Tie" (diagram bottom left) is more complicated than Details A or B, but it's preferred in some parts of the country.

Detail D: "Wrap and Saddle Tie" (diagram bottom middle) is similar to the saddle tie except that the wire is wrapped 1-1/2 times around the first bar, then completed like Detail C.

Detail E: "Figure Eight Tie" (diagram bottom right) can be used on walls in lieu of the Wrap and Snap.

Must Have Resources

CRSI Placing Reinforcing Bars (Purchase Publication, myCRSI)

Presents currents practices in placing reinforcing bars for ironworkers, inspectors, and apprentices. Eighteen heavily illustrated chapters cover materials; handling bars at the jobsite; general principles for bar placing, splicing, and tying; placing bars in footings, walls, columns, floors, and roofs.

Engineering Data Report #50: Placing Drawings (PDF Download, myCRSI)

This report defines and describes placing drawings, which are the detailed drawings for the reinforcing bars in cast-in-place reinforced concrete construction.