Minimum steel reinforcing for grade beams

[oengineer]

Is it structural acceptable to use a min. steel reinforcement ratio of 0.0018 for the design of grade beams when using Fy = 60 ksi & F'c = 3 ksi based on ACI 318?

Comments/suggestions are appreciated.

 

[atrizzy]

I'm not as familiar with ACI as I am with CSA, but if the member is meant to act like a 'beam' (horizontally oriented flexural member spanning between supports) I believe it should be detailed as one.

 

[driftLimiter]

My answer is no, If the grade beam is resisting flexure than minimum reinf should be supplied on all tension faces and should be proportioned based on the requirements for beams.

 

[canwesteng]

Does the beam work as plain concrete? If not provide min reinforcement for a flexural member.