Is there any point to inserting a piece of vertical rebar into a CMU wall if it cannot be dowelled into the footing? If the cell is grouted, will it still offer some lateral resistance? Or would grout alone be sufficient under non-extreme conditions.
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Adding vertical rebar to a CMU wall is still beneficial, even if it’s not dowelled into the footing. When the cell is grouted, the rebar provides extra lateral resistance, making the wall stronger. Grout alone can offer some stability, but the combo of rebar and grout really boosts the wall’s overall strength. It’s definitely worth doing, especially for added peace of mind!