Rebar placed after concrete placement has begun!

[Engingguy]

I am researching standards for someone (and thankfully it is not my project). The contractor did not have all the rebar in place before he began to place the concrete, and began to stick it in after the concrete was in the forms. I believe the last of it was DRIVEN in after the concrete had begun to set! Needless to say, recriminations are now flying like watermelon at a Gallagher show. Does anyone know a specific STANDARD that says that the reinforcing must be in place before the concrete placement has begun? It seems such an obvious thing to not try to retroactively stick the rebar in that in many years, I have never encountered something like that situation. It’s simply jaw-dropping, but it happened.....

Thanks, Eng

 

[JAE]

Depends on the country where the project is located.

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[Engingguy]

Sorry, US.

 

[JAE]

ACI 318-11 - section 7.5.1 "Reinforcement....shall be accurately placed and adequately supported before concrete is placed..."

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[Engingguy]

Thanks, I found it just after I posted. It is one of those things that I knew I had seen but I could not remember where. It is so obvious, and I never paid it much thought. I may add that note on plans so none of my own jobs end up this way.

 

[JAE]

We do sometimes allow vertical rebar dowels to be stabbed into the tops of wall footings (usually trenched grade-beam like footings) instead of tied in place prior to concrete placement.

These, however, are not significantly stressed bars and only really serve to provide a nominal positive connection to the foundation. For bars with calculated, or significant stress we do not allow stabbing.

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[msquared48]

Stabbing (stubbing here) is against the Bible ACI code, JAE, in all cases in my opinion...

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[hokie66]

I haven't had the problem, but have heard of the reverse. People trying to save a bit by taking out the bars after the inspector has left the site.

 

[DTGT2002]

I'd say the question comes to what the construction documents state and what specifications are references - yes the building code governs construction, but it is not the reference made to the constructors.


Is ACI 301 referenced? 3.3.2.1 Tolerances requires reinforcement to be placed and secured to maintain location during placement.