Category:706 Reinforcing Steel for Concrete Structures

706.1 Construction Inspection for Sec 706

The inspector must ensure that all reinforcing steel has been fully secured in proper position in advance of concrete placement. Bar supports must be positioned to provide adequate support in accordance with Standard Plan 706.35. The number, size, and spacing of the bars, clearance from forms and condition of bars all require careful checking. Minor rusting is acceptable but loose, scaly rust and dirt must be removed. Bars are sometimes handled so that oil from the forms will partially coat them. This is particularly detrimental to bond and must be removed.

Do not permit welding of reinforcing steel as a means of providing support. The contractor may furnish extra bars to which support hardware can be welded. No additional payment will be made for these bars. Do not permit reinforcing steel to be placed by pushing into fresh concrete. This practice is commonly known as "stabbing steel".

Minor field revisions to uncoated reinforcing steel that is too long may be made with a cutting torch. The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute has determined through testing that only about 3/16 in. of the end of the bar is affected by the flame-cutting. Contractors should be allowed to use a cutting torch only with MoDOT's concurrence. Torch cutting is not meant to be a substitute for shop fabricated bars. In no case should epoxy coated resteel be torch cut.