Rebar Installed Costs

[LPPE]

Consider a concrete beam.

Would it be cheaper/cost effective to build this beam using (12)-#8 bars or (6)-#11 bars?

 

[Qshake]

A lot of things may factor into this....

Just some questions one might have....

Is there any re-steel coming into the beam from a column that may restrict beam bar placement?
Are there spatial constraints where #11 would be too cumbersome?
How wide is the beam, will there be two rows of steel?

Tell us more.




Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[LPPE]

Its a pile cap beam, 3'-10" in depth and 5'-0" wide. Overall length is 9'-6", and there is a column with anchor bolts coming in at a location on the top (off center). Due to the column and relative pile location (cantilever), the reinforcing is required at the TOP of the pile cap.

 

[broekie]

Cost-wise I think the difference is insignificant. I agree with Qshake. Possible geometric constraints are a bigger concern. Have 12-#8 bars in the top of a cap that is 60" wide leaves only about 3.75" clear between them. That's not a lot of room for anchor bolts to fit in between or for vibrating the concrete.