DaveAtkins
Structural
- Apr 15, 2002
- 2,874
Let me begin by saying that I still specify 48 bar diameters for lap splices in CMU (yes, I know the IBC requires longer lap splice lengths for bars > #5).
Anyway, the Contractor on one of my projects called to say that he is using #6 X 7'-0" long bar lifts (he said you can't lift the blocks any higher than 7'). He builds 4'-0" of CMU, then grouts the CMU, then installs the next bar lift, lapping it 3'-0" with the bar below. What ends up happening, starting at the bottom of the wall, is you get a single bar for 4', two lapped bars for 3', a single bar for 1', two lapped bars for 3', a single bar for 1', etc. The Contractor thought this was strange, but I told him it is correct.
Now, just for fun, I calculated the more correct lap splice length for a #6 bar, using IBC, and came up with 48". If I had used this lap splice length, almost the whole height of the wall would be lap splices!!!
Does anyone else think this is RIDICULOUS???
DaveAtkins
Anyway, the Contractor on one of my projects called to say that he is using #6 X 7'-0" long bar lifts (he said you can't lift the blocks any higher than 7'). He builds 4'-0" of CMU, then grouts the CMU, then installs the next bar lift, lapping it 3'-0" with the bar below. What ends up happening, starting at the bottom of the wall, is you get a single bar for 4', two lapped bars for 3', a single bar for 1', two lapped bars for 3', a single bar for 1', etc. The Contractor thought this was strange, but I told him it is correct.
Now, just for fun, I calculated the more correct lap splice length for a #6 bar, using IBC, and came up with 48". If I had used this lap splice length, almost the whole height of the wall would be lap splices!!!
Does anyone else think this is RIDICULOUS???
DaveAtkins