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Gene Davis
Registered Users
New Member
Posts:42
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| 06/16/2008 7:25 PM |
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My engineer is telling me I need #5 bars @ 12" vert and #4 bars at 16" horiz for the building I am doing. It has 11'6" of above-grade wall height. This, for walls built with nominal 11" ICF, and 6" core thickness.
What has been happening for your situation?
My location is the northern Adirondack region of upstate New York. |
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icfcontractor
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:237
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| 06/16/2008 7:55 PM |
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Gene,
Without seeing the plans and doing some investigation, the answer to your question is not worth much. Besides siesmic, the engineer is also balancing wind load, snow load, design, and soil type.
I build in the Pacific Northwest. We are in the highest siesmic catergory and build on some of the worst soils. Then add to that depending on where you build we hit some of the highest wind loads. I have seen an array of different amounts of rebar from an array of engineers. Engineering is like going to the doctor, they are only practicing.
One trap many people fall into is going with the low bidder. Many times it is the only thing people pay attention to and they don't actually interview their engineers. Needless to say most people including many builders are not educated enough on the subject to even know what questions to ask.
Your typical engineer who does residential work may or may not be your best fit for a concrete structure. Preferable you would go with someone who has a lot of concrete experience such as tiltup, precast and the like. I also understand you could be geographically constrained by the number of engineers in your area to choose from.
That being said it does not look too out of line for the amount of rebar he is using. Things that you can discuss with your engineer to try an reduce your rebar tonnage is PSI of the concrete mix you will use, grade of rebar is it grade 40 or grade 60, ACI 318 and the ratio of rebar to concrete that is set in the code. Is your wall 11'6" above gade or is some of it filled against. Is your engineer using the IBC or IRC, in the IBC the engineer is not constrained by the restrictive tables in the IRC. The list could go on and on. So it is always best to consult with an experienced ICF or concrete professional before you start your project, you may pay them some money, but you will be money, time,and heartache ahead.
ICF Contractor |
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FlaICF
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:168
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| 06/17/2008 2:42 PM |
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| Icfcontractor is right on. We see so many different steel placement requirements that you have to wonder about if they all came from the same class. Remember they are responsible for the integrity of the structure and their stamp says so. You paid for their service and guarantee that it will be that way. Steel is usually not the expensive part of the wall. So, in my opinion, a little more should not be an issue. Good Luck |
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