Does the vertical re-bar have to be hooked or bent under the horizontal re-bar in the footing? ?

or can they just be wire tied? im asking about the re-bar configuration in a poured or block foundation|||If the Architect did not specify dimensions for the "hook", or that the bars be tied, they can be bent to a length that will permit them to be centered in the wall while still allowing for 2" of concrete coverage. Most of the time (in residential construction) these bars are simply "mucked" into the footing before the concrete sets (California and other "Shaky" areas will have more stringent requirements). The hook leg is generally set at right angles to the footing direction (again, any design specified by a design professional MUST be followed).





It also makes a difference if the foundation wall is a full height wall, or part of an "English" basement wall. When there is an unbalanced fill situation (as with a garden or "English" basement wall with a knee wall built on top of it), the foundation wall is also acting as a retaining wall and is subject to additional horizontal loads.





Best bet; follow the plans. |||either way will hold...more is always better...most verticals are just sticking up out of the footer and the concrete will hold them...|||It would depend on the coverage over the vertical rebar, but they do that to provide better anchorage of the vertical member.|||I believe normally, using the steel wire ties is sufficient for residential foundations.|||It depends on the wind zone you are in as to what will be acceptable by code for both residential and commercial. The higher the wind zone the more stringent the requirements to combat uplifting wind forces.





Generally speaking, without additional considerations for seismic conditions, the re-bar should be bent and tied in a horizontal direction for a length equal to at least 36 bar diameters. Thus if you are using #4 ( 1/2" ) bar your horizontal run would be 18 inches beyond the end of the bend.





The requirement is for this transition bar to be placed under the bars in the footing, not on top of them and to be tied at least three places.