Replies

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 09, 2007 04:40pm | #1

   Don't know if it's in the code but you make them tall enough to tie to the top horizontal in your wall.

2. 
   dovetail97128 | May 09, 2007 05:10pm | #2

   Gene,

   I can't answer the question directly as I don't know what the IRC code call is.
   Here in the city I live in however the short leg of the "L" needs to be 6" min.. "L"'s are installed with hooks facing in alternate directions.

   "Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca
3. 
   RalphWicklund | May 09, 2007 10:53pm | #3

   Without looking it up I recall overlap to be 30 diameters but what we do is overlap at least 2 feet and bend the verticals that way, too.

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 09, 2007 11:45pm | #4

   What if you have 2 continuous bars at the top of the stemwall?

1. 
   RalphWicklund | May 10, 2007 03:41am | #5

   All the stemwall and block wall work I've done or been exposed to has been a single top rod. The requirement for tying is to assure the proper coverage of the steel and so it doesn't flop over during the pour.

   When the vertical rod is bent over for the top hook all it has to do is be supported to remain in position between the two spaced top bars. With a single bar we just wire tie it to the easiest position whether it be under or along side the horizontal doesn't matter, it just has to have the cover.

   Since we normally have a 2 foot overlap, the verticals stick up that amount from the footing. The block is laid up with the lintel blocks last, the horizontal rod is dropped into the cradle and the top leg of the vertical is bent and dropped into the required cells, assuring that the leg goes all the way to the bottom of the wall to get the required overlap.

   At the bottom course there must be a knockout block so the inspector can see the vertical rods and verify the tie. A scrap of plywood is tapconed over the hole for the pour.

   On stem walls we fill every course, even though not technically required. On full height walls we fill all the cells that have vertical steel as well as all the cells in the top two courses. That effectively gives us a solid 16" tall poured lintel.

   Your original question asked about two bars. I could make the assumption that you mean one over the other in two top courses of lintel block. Am I correct? The verticals would still only be tied off to the rod in the top course to keep it centered in the cell.

2. 
   VaTom | May 12, 2007 03:47pm | #6

   What if you have 2 continuous bars at the top of the stemwall?

   I always do.  Engineering calls for #6, 2" concrete cover.  Bending for the corners is interesting.  PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 12, 2007 06:39pm | #7

   Not uncommon to have (2) #5 continuous at the top of a wall here, if it's taller than maybe 24". I usually take a 6' piece, bend it 90 in the middle, and tie it in as the "outside" of the corner.

1. 
   VaTom | May 12, 2007 09:01pm | #8

   #5 I can bend with my cutter/bender, #6 doesn't fit.  Kinda stiff for the pipe and foot technique we use for #4.  You guys were talking stem walls, a little shorter than mine. 

   I've a little more weight sitting on my walls than most houses (~4800 plf).  Do the same thing with corners and a short piece.  I got started with concrete when the concrete contractor wanted $8500 to tie $1500 worth of rebar.  He told me it would take a long time.  I didn't know any better, just didn't have the $8500.  Very lucrative learning experience.  PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!