Concrete guys?

[Superjag]

So I'm dropping my kid off at daycare this morning. They are in the process replacing all of the sidewalks on the property, and they were about to pour the concrete as I was going by today. For each sidewalk they have a piece of rebar on each side of the sidewalk running parallel to the sidewalk (like railroad ties), and one piece of rebar going across the sidewalk every 4 or 5 feet. My question is this: Is every 4 or 5 feet enough rebar, especially for a climate like Minnesota? Admittedly, I don't know sh*t about pouring concrete, but when I used to build decks, the guys I saw pouring the concrete around the pools had rebar like every foot or two it seemed.

Just wondering for my own personal curiosity. I figure it'll hold my 145 lbs even if they didn't use any rebar.

 

[JDKZRT]

My question is this: Is every 4 or 5 feet enough rebar,

Depends on the soil strength below, and probably a local code for sidewalk construction but IMO no. As a % of the cost of the job, re-bar (and tieing) is cheap... and it's just dumb not to use lots of it. Around here, contractors pouring sidewalks have to warranty their work for a period of time (a few years) and stamp their company's name into the sidewalk..... maybe they don't in your case.

 

[PCDOC]

I'm no pro, but a sidewalk won't have much on it for weight and it will be cut every 4 ft or so. I poured half of my driveway and put rebar in that. The other half I hired done and that has no rebar in it. After talking to a few concrete guys, I was told just putting the fiberglass mesh in the mix will help with cracking. So that's what they did on the second half.

 

[woodzy]

isn't rebar more for ground heaving as opposed to weight on the slab?? That's what I've always thought. I'm no expert tho, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night

 

[Uller]

Many, many sidewalks do not have any rebar in them at all and they hold up just fine. Typically, the rebar is there just to reduce the cracking in a slab on grade situation; unless the intended use will put a lot of weight on it. Then you would put a lot of rebar in it and increase the thickness of the slab.

 

[Superjag]

Now I know.
This is why Snowest kicks a$$.
Thanks all.

 

[DaveB]

In the city sidewalks they are extruded with NO rebar except where there are lane crossings. (Red Deer, AB....lots of freeze/thaw)

 

[SAWYER]

I just use a lot of rebar and no concrete

 

[94fordguy]

Depends on local codes, but I have never heard of rebar being required in a side walk. As stated above, it is not load bearing and just costs more money... Most driveways don't have rebar in them and they hold your cars... lol

If they were putting in any rebar at all... they were doing more than they needed to.

I've worked on 5 schools, 4 of which I was around for during sidewalk time... none of them had any rebar in them except for at doorways or stairs to prevent settling...

 

[hilinerider]

usually use the light wire mesh,

 

[Good to Go]

Wow....

I'll keep my mouth shut.... lmao




But I've been thinking about staying in a Holiday Express...

 

[Puff_N_AK]

It really depends upon the job. Each job is spec specific to what is required. I have seen wire mesh, and seen the Rebar running along the edges. Most of it is climate specific. Here in Ak most of it requires at the minimum wire mesh.

3 thing about concrete,
1 it will turn gray
2 it will crack
3 it produces crazy strength

 

[Superjag]

I just use a lot of rebar and no concrete

Now that is funny.

 

[Sambo11]

Woodzy is correct. Rebar isn't used to keep it from cracking but if and when it does crack it is supposed to keep it from seperating or heaving/lifting.

 

[Sapling-Thrasher]

Wow....

I'll keep my mouth shut.... lmao




But I've been thinking about staying in a Holiday Express...

LMAO!! Let's hear it...... I know it's killing you.....

 

[Good to Go]

LMAO!! Let's hear it...... I know it's killing you.....

Hahahahahaha...

 

[ruffryder]

Hahahahahaha...

Man... all work and no play make Good to Go cranky...

 

[ak ryda]

Woodzy is correct. Rebar isn't used to keep it from cracking but if and when it does crack it is supposed to keep it from seperating or heaving/lifting.

Ummmm, you might want to re-analyze that stance. Rebarr, wire mesh, or any type of reinforcement helps keep concrete from cracking. Concrete is extremely strong under compressive loading but comparatively very weak under tension. Rebarr most certainly reinforces the concrete and helps prevent cracks when under tension or from temperature differentials.

And NO, sidewalk does not need rebarr. Thats why they evenly space out the grooved joints for controlled cracking.

 

[Sambo11]

Rebar has NOTHING to do with concrete NOT cracking in fact you will find information that claims rebar can potentially increase the likelihood of cracks.

Rebar helps hold it together. Especially after it has cracked. That is the purpose of rebar, too hold it all together after it cracks, it has nothing to do with concretes ability to NOT crack.

 

[ak ryda]

Rebar has NOTHING to do with concrete NOT cracking in fact you will find information that claims rebar can potentially increase the likelihood of cracks.

Rebar helps hold it together. Especially after it has cracked. That is the purpose of rebar, too hold it all together after it cracks, it has nothing to do with concretes ability to NOT crack.

Now you are just being silly.