TF 207-R-09

A Consolidated Guide
ACI 318 Provisions and ASTM References
for Specifying WWR
For architects, engineers, contractors and others who Special Provisions for Seismic Design in Chapter 21.
intend to use or are considering the use of high per- Higher ratios of reinforcement are required in Chapter
formance, lightweight, cost-efficient welded wire rein- 21. Section [Link] states that other structural materi-
forcement (WWR), this publication contains key code als or structural systems not previously recognized are
provisions concerning wire and WWR for reinforced approved if research data shows evidence of meeting
concrete design. strength and toughness equal to or exceeding Chapter
21 requirements.
The reference can be used as a guide for design
expressions, approved ASTM material references 4. Epoxy-coated welded wire reinforcement is now rec-
and commentary to assist in the design of WWR in ognized by the Code in Chapters 3 and 12. Statements
concrete structures. The various chapters and sec- have been added to include the reference of ASTM A
tions that reference wire and WWR are taken from the 884 for the coated reinforcement. Also testing is ref-
current ACI 318 Building Code for Structural Concrete erenced in Chapter 12 which shows that no additional
and Commentary*. Refer to the ACI Code for complete splice lengths are necessary over un-coated WWR.
documentation and commentary on specific sections. The welded intersections of WWR provide sufficient
Permission to reprint these data has been granted bond strength to resist shear stresses. Research work
by the American Concrete Institute. by the University of Texas on the subject is referenced
in the Code. It can be found in the commentary of
KEY CODE UPDATES OR Chapter 12, R12.7 - Also see the footnote reference
CHANGES MADE IN RECENT YEARS: 12.11 in the back of the Code.

1. Supported or suspended structural slabs with mini- 5. In future Codes the largest cold worked wire size
mum steel reinforcement can be found in Chapter 7. will be increased to a W45 or D45 (3/4” diameter) wire
An expression exists to substitute high strength WWR sizes. See Section [Link] for special requirements of
over 60 ksi yield strength - See Chapters 3 and 7. All development and splice design. The size wire is now
ASTM Standard references noted throughout the Code, available by some WRI producer plants.
covering structural wire and WWR include a supple- 6. Recent research work on high strength wire with
ment allowing up to 80 ksi reinforcement. Note the ACI high ductility is now noted in Chapter 11, R11.5.2.
318 code at present does not cover structural slabs on The research papers are listed near the back of the
ground. Refer to other WRI references for the design Code as 11.18, 11.19 & 11.20. As a reminder, these
procedures of structural slabs on ground. references can be considered for projects that fall in
2. The latest Code provisions for confinement and the category of special provisions as described in #3
shear reinforcement can be found in Chapters 11. above.
The Code now recognizes shear reinforcement up to
80,000 psi yield strength for deformed WWR. It has
recognized up to 80,000 psi yield strength in flexure *The provisions in this Tech Fact can be found in ACI 318-02.
for many years and is stated in Chapter 9. This Tech Fact may be inserted in the WRI Structural Detailing
Manual section and will be updated as future Codes are published.
3. Wall reinforcement provisions and minimum require-
The last page has a listing of applicable ASTM Standards for wire
ments can be found in Chapters 14 and 21. Chapter and WWR.
14 refers to steel ratio requirements for both rebar and
WWR. Both reinforcing materials can be specified. See

© Wire Reinforcement Institute, Inc. 2009

 Page 2 • TF 207-R-09

PROVISIONS OF ACI 318* BUILDING CODE REQUIRE- wire shall not be smaller than size D4 and for wire with
MENTS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE WHICH APPLY a specified yield strength fy exceeding 60,000 psi, fy
TO WELDED WIRE REINFORCEMENT shall be the stress corresponding to a strain of 0.35
percent if the yield strength specified in the design
Welded plain wire reinforcement (WWR) and welded exceeds 60,000 psi.
deformed wire reinforcement are both defined in ACI [Link] - Welded plain wire reinforcement for concrete
318, Section 2.2, as Deformed Reinforcement. Since shall conform to “Specification for Steel Welded Wire
welded wire reinforcement is supplied in sheets or mats Reinforcement , Plain, for Concrete” (ASTM A 185),
instead of individual bars, additional descriptive provi- except that for wire with a specified yield strength fy
sions are necessary and are found in Section 2. Wire exceeding 60,000 psi, fy shall be the stress correspond-
Reinforcement Institute’s publications are available for ing to a strain of 0.35 percent if the yield strength speci-
areas of reinforcement with various strengths, as well fied in the design exceeds 60,000 psi. Welded intersec-
as development and splice lengths for different styles. tions shall not be spaced farther apart than 12 in. in
direction of calculated stress, except for wire reinforce-
For the convenience of architects and engineers,
ment used as stirrups in accordance with 12.13.2.
some provisions related to WWR are reprinted from
ACI 318 and will be referred to by code chapters and [Link] - Welded deformed wire reinforcement for
pertinent sections in this manual. Some metric data concrete shall conform to “Specification for Steel
and formulas are presented in the Wire Reinforcement Welded Wire Reinforcement, Deformed, for Concrete
Institutes Manual of Standard Practice, Structural Reinforcement” (ASTM A 497), except that for wire with
Welded Wire Reinforcement, copyright, 1999. a specified yield strength fy exceeding 60,000 psi, fy
shall be stress corresponding to a strain of 0.35 percent
CHAPTERS OF ACI 318-08 FOR if the yield strength specified in the design exceeds
60,000 psi. Welded intersections shall not be spaced
WELDED WIRE REINFORCEMENT: father apart than 16 in. in direction of calculated stress,
CHAPTER 1 - CONCRETE ON STEEL DECK except for wire reinforcement used as stirrups in accor-
dance with 12.13.2.
1.1.8 - Concrete on steel deck [Link] - Epoxy - Coated wires and WWR shall comply
with ASTM A 884.
[Link] - Design and construction of structural concrete
3.8 - Standards cited in this code
slabs cast on stay-in-place, noncomposite steel deck
are governed by the Code. 3.8.1 - Standards of the American Society for Testing
and Materials referred to in this code are list-
[Link] - This Code does not govern the composite ed below, and are declared part of this code:
design of structural concrete slabs cast on stay-in- A 82 Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Plain,
place, composite steel deck. Concrete used in the con- for Concrete Reinforcement
struction of such slabs shall be governed by Chapters
1 through 6 of this Code, where applicable. Portions of A 185 Standard Specification for Steel Welded Wire
such slabs designed as reinforced concrete governed Reinforcement*, Plain, for Concrete
by this Code. A 496 Standard Specification for Steel Wire,
Deformed, for Concrete Reinforcement
“Standard Practice for the Construction and
Inspection of Composite Slabs” (ANSI/ASCE 9).1.12 A 497 Standard Specification for Steel Welded Wire
Reference 1.13 also provides guidance for design Reinforcement*, Deformed, for Concrete
of composite slabs on steel deck. The design of A 884 Standard Specification for Epoxy - Coated
negative moment reinforcement to make a slab Steel Wire and Welded Wire for Reinforcement
continuous is a common example where a portion
of the slab is designed in conformance with the A1022 Standard Specifications for Stainless
Code. Steel Wire & Welded Wire for Concrete
Reinforcement
CHAPTER 3 - MATERIALS
3.5 - Steel reinforcement CHAPTER 7 - DETAILS OF REINFORCEMENT
3.5.3 - Deformed reinforcement 7.2 - Minimum bend diameters
[Link] - Deformed wire for concrete reinforcement shall 7.2.3 - Inside diameter of bends in welded wire rein-
conform to “Specifications for Steel Wire, Deformed, for forcement (plain or deformed) for stirrups and ties shall
Concrete Reinforcement” (ASTM A 496), except that not be less than 4db for deformed wire larger than D6
* Expressions or factors being considered for change in future codes.
 Page 3 • TF 207-R-09

and 2db for all other wires. Bends with inside diameter [Link] - At all sections where required, reinforcement
of less than 8db shall not be less than 4db from nearest for shrinkage and temperature stresses shall develop
welded intersection. the specified yield strength fy in tension in accordance
with Chapter 12.
7.5.3 - Welded wire reinforcement (with wire size not
greater than W5 or D5) used in slabs not exceeding Note - For additional details of WWR refer to ACI 318-95, Chapter 7.
10 ft. in span may be curved from a point near the top CHAPTER 9- STRENGTH AND SERVICEABILITY
of slab over the support to a point near the bottom of
REQUIREMENTS
slab at midspan, provided such reinforcement is either
continuous over, or securely anchored at support. 9.4 - Design strength for reinforcement
7.6 - Spacing limits for reinforcement The values of fy and fyt used in design calculations
shall not exceed 80,000 psi, except for prestressing
7.6.5 - In walls and slabs other than concrete joist steel and for transverse reinforcement in 10.9.3 and
construction, primary flexural reinforcement shall not [Link]
be spaced farther apart than 3 times the wall or slab
thickness, nor 18 in. CHAPTER 11 - SHEAR AND TORSION
7.10.5 - Ties 11.4 - Shear strength provided by shear reinforcement
Tie reinforcement for compression members shall con-
form to the following: 11.4.1 - Types of shear reinforcement
[Link] - Shear reinforcement may consist of:
[Link] - All nonprestressed bars shall be enclosed by
(a) Stirrups perpendicular to axis of member.
lateral ties, at least #3 in size for longitudinal bars #10
(b) Welded wire reinforcement with wires located
or smaller, and at least #4 in size for #11, $14, #18, and
perpendicular to axis of member.
bundled longitudinal bars. Deformed wire or welded
(c) Spirals, circular ties, or hoops.
wire reinforcement of equivalent areas is allowed.
[Link] - For nonprestressed members, shear
[Link] - Vertical spacing of ties shall not exceed 16
reinforcement may also consist of:
longitudinal bar diameters, 48 tie bar or wire diameters,
or least dimension of the compression member. (a) Stirrups making an angle of 45 degrees or
more with longitudinal tension reinforcement.
7.11 - Lateral reinforcement for flexural members (b) Longitudinal reinforcement with bent portion
7.11.3 - Closed ties or stirrups shall be formed in one making an angle of 30 degrees or more with
piece by overlapping standard stirrup or tie and hooks the longitudinal tension reinforcement.
around a longitudinal bar, or formed in one or two (c) Combinations of stirrups and bent longitudinal
pieces lap spliced with a Class B splice (lap of 1.3 ld), reinforcement.
or anchored in accordance with 12.13.
11.4.2 - The values fy and fyt used in design of shear
7.12 - Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement reinforcement shall not exceed 60,000 psi, except the
7.12.1 - Reinforcement for shrinkage and temperature value shall not exceed 80,000 psi welded deformed
stresses normal to flexural reinforcement shall be pro- wire reinforcement.
vided in structural slabs where the flexural reinforce- 11.4.4 - Stirrups and other bars or wires used as shear
ment extends in one direction only. reinforcement shall extend to a distance d from extreme
[Link] - Area of shrinkage and temperature rein- compression fiber and shall be anchored at both ends
forcement shall provide at least the following ratios of according to 12.13 to develop the design yield strength
reinforcement area to gross concrete area, but not less of reinforcement.
than 0.0014: 11.4.5 - Spacing limits for shear reinforcement
(a) Slabs where Grade 40 or 50 deformed bars are
[Link] - Spacing of shear reinforcement placed
used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0020
perpendicular to axis of member shall not exceed d/2
(b) Slabs where Grade 60 deformed bars or welded in nonprestressed members or 0.75h in prestressed
wire reinforcement are used . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0018 members, nor 24 in.
(c) Slabs where reinforcement with yield stress 11.5 - Designed for torsion
exceeding 60,000 psi measured at a yield strain
of 0.35 percent is used . . . . . . . 0.0018 x 60,000 [Link] - Design yield strength of torsion reinforcement
fy shall not exceed 60,000 psi.
[Link] - Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement 11.5.4 - Details of torsion reinforcement
shall not be spaced farther apart than 5 times the slab [Link] - Torsion reinforcement shall consist of longitu-
thickness, nor 18 in. dinal bars or tendons and one or more of the following:
 Page 4 • TF 207-R-09

(a) Closed stirrups or closed ties, perpendicular modification factors of 12.2.4 and 12.2.5, but ld
to the axis of the member; shall not be less than 12 in.
(b) A closed cage of welded wire reinforcement
with transverse wire perpendicular to the 12.2.2 - For deformed bars or deformed wire, ld
axis of the member; shall be as follows:
(c) In nonprestressed beams, spiral reinforce- No. 6 and
smaller bars and No. 7 and larger bars
ment. deformed wires

Clear spacing of bars or wires being

[Link] - Transverse torsinal reinforcement shall developed or spliced not less than

be anchored by one of the following; db, clear cover not less than db, and
stirrups or ties throughout ld not less
 f ψψ
 y t e

d b
 f ψψ
 y t e

d b
(a) A 135-degree standard hook or seismic hook than the Code minimum
or
 25 λ f ’
 c


 20 λ f ’
 c


as defined in 2.2, around a longitudinal bar; Clear spacing of bars being
developed or spliced not less than
(b) According to [Link], [Link] or 2db and clear cover not less than db

[Link] in regions where the concrete  3f Ψ Ψ   3f Ψ Ψ 

surrounding the anchorage is restrained Other Cases  y t e
 50 λ f ’
d b

 y t e
 40 λ f ’
d b

   
against spalling by a flange or slab or similar
c c

member.
12.2.3 - For deformed bars or deformed wire,
11.5.6 - Spacing limits for torsion reinforcement ld shall be:  
 
[Link] - The spacing of transverse torsion rein-  3 fy ψy ψt ψe 
forcement shall not exceed the smaller of ph /8 or � d = d (12-1)
40 λ f ’ c  c b + K tr  b
12 in. 
  

  db 
[Link] - The longitudinal reinforcement required
in which the confined term (cb + Ktr )/d b shall not
for torsion shall be distributed around the perim-
be taken greater than 2.5, and
eter of the closed stirrups with a maximum spac-
ing of 12 in. The longitudinal bars or tendons shall 40Atr
be inside the stirrups. There shall be at least one K tr = (12-2)
longitudinal bar or tendon in each corner of the sn
stirrups. Longitudinal bars shall have a diameter
where n is the number of bars or wires being
at least 0.042 times the stirrup spacing, but not
spliced or developed along the plane of splitting.
less than 3/8 in.
It shall be permitted to use Ktr = 0 as a design
[Link] - Spacing of closed stirrups shall not simplification even if transverse reinforcement is
exceed the smaller of (x1 + y1)/4, or 12 in. present.
[Link] - Spacing of longitudinal bars, not less 12.2.4 - The factors used in the expressions for
than #3, distributed around the perimeter of the development of deformed bars and deformed
closed stirrups, shall not exceed 12 in. At least wires in tension in 12.2 are as follows:
one longitudinal bar shall be placed in each corner (a) Where horizontal reinforcement is placed
of the closed stirrups. #3 distributed around the such that more than 12 in. of fresh concrete is
perimeter of the closed stirrups, shall not exceed cast below the development length or splice,
12 in. ψt = 1.3. For other situations, ψt = 1.0
CHAPTER 12 - DEVELOPMENT AND SPLICES OF (b) For epoxy-coated or wires with cover less
REINFORCEMENT than 3db, or clear spacing less than 6db,
ψe =1.5. For all other epoxy-coated bars
12.1 - Development of reinforcement - General
or wires, ψe = 1.2. For uncoated and zinc-
12.1.1 - Calculated tension or compression in rein- coated (galvanized) reinforcement, ψe = 1.0.
forcement at each section of reinforced concrete
members shall be developed on each side of that However, the product ψt ψe need not be greater
section by embedment length, hook or mechani- than 1.7.
cal device or a combination thereof. Hooks may be (c) For No. 6 and smaller bars and deformed
used in developing bars in tension only. wires,ψe = 0.8. No. 7 and larger bars, ψs = 1.0
12.2 - Development of deformed bars and (d) Where lightweight concrete is used λ not
deformed wire in tension exceed 0.75 unless is fct specified (see 8.6.1).
12.2.1 - Development length for deformed bars Where normal-weight concrete is used, λ =
and deformed wire in tension, ld, shall be deter- 1.0.
mined from either 12.2.2 or 12.2.3 and applicable
 Page 5 • TF 207-R-09

12.3 - Development of deformed bars in compression 12.7.4 - When any plain wires are present in the
deformed wire reinforcement in the direction of
12.3.1 - Development length for deformed bars
the development length, the reinforcement shall
and deformed wire in compression, ldc shall be
be
determined from 12.3.2 and applicable modifica- ­ developed in accordance with 12.8.
tion factors of 12.3.3, but ldc shall be not less 12.8 - Development of welded plain wire reinforce-
than 8 in. ment in tension.
Yield strength of welded plain wire reinforcement
12.3.2 - For deformed bars and deformed wire, ldc
shall be considered developed by embedment of
shall be taken as the larger of and (0.0003fy)db,
two cross wires with the closer cross wire not less
with λ as given in 12.2.4(d) and the constant 0.0003
than 2 in. from the point of the critical section.
carries the unit of in.2/lb.
However, ld, shall not be less than
12.3.3 - Length ldc in 12.3.2 shall be permitted to
be multiplied by applicable factors for: Ab fy
(a) Reinforcement in excess of that required by  d = 0.27
s λ f’ (12-3)
analysis. . . . . . . (As required)/As provided) c

(b) Reinforcement enclosed within spiral rein- where ld is measured from the point of the critical
forcement not less than 1/4 in. diameter and section to the outermost crosswire, s is the spac-
not more than 4 in. pitch or within No. 4 ties ing between the wires to be developed, and λ as
in conformance with 7.10.5 and spaced not given in 12.2.4(d). Where reinforcement provided
more than 4 in. on center . . . . . . . . . . 0.75 is in excess of that required, ld may be reduced
12.7 - Development of welded deformed wire in accordance with 12.2.5. Length, ld , shall not
reinforcement in tension be less than 6 in. except in computation of lap
splices by 12.19.
12.7.1 - Development length for welded deformed
wire reinforcement in tension, ld, measured from except that when reinforcement provided is in
the point of critical section to the end of wire shall excess of that required, this length may be
be computed as the product of ld, from 12.2.2 reduced in accordance with 12.2.5. ld shall not
or 12.2.3, times welded deformed wire reinforce- be less than 6 in. except in computation of lap
ment factor, ψw, from 12.7.2 or 12.7.3. It shall splices by 12.19.
be permitted to reduce ld in accordance with 12.13 - Development of web reinforcement
12.2.5 when applicable, but ld shall not be less
12.13.2 - Ends of single leg, simple U-, or multiple
than 8 in. except in computation of lap splices
U-stirrups shall be anchored by one of the follow-
by 12.18. When using ψw from 12.7.2, it shall be
ing means:
permitted to use an epoxy-coated factor ψw of 1.0
for epoxy-coated welded wire reinforcement in [Link] - For #5 bar and D31 wire, and smaller,
12.2.2 and 12.2.3. and for #6, #7, and #8 bars with fy of 40,000
psi or less, a standard hook around longitudinal
12.7.2 - For welded deformed wire reinforcement
reinforcement.
with at least one cross wire within the develop-
ment length and not less than 2 in. from the point [Link] - For #6, #7, and #8 stirrups with fy
of the critical section, the wire reinforcement fac- greater than 40,000 psi, a standard stirrup hook
tor shall be the greater of: around a longitudinal bar plus an embedment
 fy − 35, 000   5d b  between midheight of the member and the out-
  or   side end of the hook equal to or greater than

 fy 
  sw  0.014dbfy/
but need not be taken greater than 1.
[Link] - For each leg of welded plain wire
12.7.3 - For welded deformed wire reinforcement reinforcement forming simple U-stirrups, either:
with no cross wires within the development length (a) Two longitudinal wires spaced at a 2 in. spac-
or with a single cross wire less than 2 in. from the ing along the member at the top of the U.
point of the critical section, ψw shall be taken as
1.0, and the development length shall be deter- (b) One longitudinal wire located not more
mined as for deformed wire. than d/4 from the compression face and a
second wire closer to the compression face
 Page 6 • TF 207-R-09

and spaced not less than 2 in. from the first wire. plain wire reinforcement shall be in accordance with the
The second wire may be located on the stirrup following.
leg beyond a bend, or on a bend with an inside
diameter of bend not less than 8db. 12.19.1 - When area of reinforcement provided is less
than twice that required by analysis at splice location,
[Link] - For each end of a single leg stirrup of welded length of overlap measured between outermost cross
plain or deformed wire reinforcement, two longitudinal wires of each reinforcement sheet shall be not less
wires at a minimum spacing of 2 in. and with the inner than one spacing of cross wires plus 2 in., nor less than
wire at least the greater of d/4 or 2 in. from middepth 1.5ld, nor 6 in. ld shall be the development length for
of member d/2. Outer longitudinal wire at tension face the specified yield strength fy in accordance with 12.8.
shall not be farther from the face than the portion of
12.19.2 - When area of reinforcement provided is at
primary flexural reinforcement closest to the face.
least twice that required by analysis at splice location,
12.15 - Splices of deformed bars and deformed wire length of overlap measured between outermost cross
in tension wires of each reinforcement sheet shall be not less
12.15.1 - Minimum length of lap for tension lap splices than 1.5ld, nor 2 in. ld shall be the development length
shall be as required for Class A or B splice, but not less for the specified yield strength fy in accordance with
than 12 in., where: 12.8.
Class A splice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0ld CHAPTER 14 - WALLS
Class B splice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3ld
14.2 - General
where ld is the tensile development length for the
specified yield strength fy in accordance with 12.2 with- 14.2.7 - Quantity of reinforcement and limits of thickness
out the modification factor of 12.2.5. required by 14.3 and 14.5 are waived where structural
analysis shows adequate strength and stability.
12.15.2 - Lap splices of deformed bars and deformed
wire in tension shall be Class B splices except that 14.3 - Minimum reinforcement
Class A splices are allowed when: (a) the area of 14.3.1 - Minimum vertical and horizontal reinforcement
reinforcement provided is at least twice that required shall be in accordance with 14.3.2 and 14.3.3 unless
by analysis over the entire length of the splice, and (b) a greater amount is required for shear by 11.9.8 and
one-half or less of the total reinforcement is spliced 11.9.9.
within the required lap length.
14.3.2 - Minimum ratio of vertical reinforcement area to
12.18 - Splices of welded deformed wire in tension. gross concrete area shall be:
12.18.1 - Minimum length of lap for lap splices of weld- (a) 0.0012 for deformed bars not larger than #5 with a
ed deformed wire reinforcement measured between specified yield strength not less than 60,000 psi, or
the ends of each reinforcement sheet shall be not
(b) 0.0015 for other deformed bars, or
less than 1.3ld nor 8 in., and the overlap measured
between outermost cross wires of each reinforce- (c) 0.0012 for welded wire reinforcement not larger
ment sheet shall not be less than 2 in. ld shall be the than W31 or D31.
development length for the specified yield strength fy in 14.3.3 - Minimum ratio of horizontal reinforcement area
accordance with 12.7. to gross concrete area shall be:
12.18.2 - Lap splices of welded deformed wire rein- *(a) 0.0020 for deformed bars not larger than #5 with a
forcement, with no cross wires within the lap splice specified yield strength not less than 60,000 psi, or
length, shall be determined as for deformed wire. (b) 0.0025 for other deformed bars, or
(c) 0.0020 for welded wire reinforcement (plain or
12.18.3 - Where any plain wires, or deformed wires larg- deformed) not larger than W31 or D31.
er than D-31, are present in welded deformed reinforce-
14.3.4 - Walls more than 10 in. thick, except basement
ment in the direction of the lap splice or where welded
walls, shall have reinforcement for each direction placed in
deformed wire reinforcement, the reinforcement is lap
two layers parallel with faces of wall in accordance with the
spliced to welded plain wire reinforcement, the reinforce-
following:
ment shall be lap spliced in accordance with 12.19.
(a) One layer consisting of not less than 1/2 and not
12.19 - Splices of welded plain wire reinforcement in ten- more than 2/ 3 of total reinforcement required for
sion. Minimum length of lap for lap splices of welded each direction shall be placed not less than 2 in.
 Page 7 • TF 207-R-09

nor more than 1/ 3 the thickness of wall from exte- those designated by the legally adopted general build-
rior surface. ing code of which this Code forms a part, or determined
(b) The other layer, consisting of the balance of by other authority having jurisdiction in areas without a
required reinforcement in that direction, shall be legally adopted building code. Except for SDC A, for
placed not less than 3/ 4 in. nor more than 1/ 3 the which Chapter 21 does not apply, the following provi-
thickness of wall from interior surface. sions shall be satisfied for each structural system des-
ignated as part of the seismic-force-resisting system,
14.3.5 - Vertical and horizontal reinforcement shall regardless of the SDC:
not be spaced further apart than three times the wall (a) Ordinary moment frames shall satisfy 21.2
thickness, nor 18 in. (b) Ordinary structural walls need not satisfy any
14.3.6 - Vertical reinforcement need not be enclosed provisions in Chapter 21.
by lateral ties if vertical reinforcement area is not (c) Intermediate moment frames satisfy 21.3
greater than 0.01 times gross concrete area, or where (d) Intermediate precast walls shall satisfy 21.4.
vertical reinforcement is not required as compression (e) Special moment frames shall satisfy 21.5 through
reinforcement. 21.8.
(f) Special structural walls shall satisfy 21.9
14.3.7 - In addition to the minimum reinforcement
Special precast structural walls shall satisfy 21.10
required by 14.3.1, not less than two No. 5 bars in
All special moment frames and special structural walls
walls having two layers of reinforcement in both direc-
shall also satisfy 21.1.3 through 21.1.7
tions and one No. 5 bar in walls having a single layer
of reinforcement in both directions shall be provided [Link] - A reinforced concrete structural system not
around window, door, and similar sized openings. Such satisfying the requirements of this chapter is allowed
bars shall be anchored to develop fy in tension at the if it is demonstrated by experimental evidence and
corners of the openings. analysis that the proposed system will have strength
and toughness equal to or exceeding those provided by
CHAPTER 21 - EARTHQUAKE-RESISTENT a comparable monolithic reinforced concrete structure
STRUCTURES satisfying this chapter.

21.1 - General requirements [Link] - Welding of stirrups, ties, inserts, or other

similar elements to longitudinal reinforcement required
21.1.1 - Scope by design shall not be permitted.
[Link] - Chapter 21 contains special requirements R21.1.7.2 - Welding or tack-welding or cross rein-
for design and construction of reinforced concrete mem-
forcing bars can lead to local embrittlement of the
bers of a structure for which the design forces, related
to earth- quake motions, have been determined on the steel. If welding of crossing bars is used to facilitate
basis of energy dissipation in the nonlinear range of fabrication or placement of reinforcement, it should
response. be done only on bars for such purposes. The prohi-
bition of welding crossing reinforcing bars does not
[Link] - All structures shall be assigned to a seismic apply to bars that are welded with welding operations
design category (SDC) in accordance with [Link] - under continuous, competent control as in the manu-
Provisions for Earthquake resistance. facture of welded wire reinforcement.
[Link] - All members shall satisfy requirements of
Chapters 1 to 19 and 22. Structures assigned to SDC 21.5.3 - Transverse reinforcement
B, C, D, E, or F also shall satisfy [Link] through [Link] - Hoops shall be provided in the following
[Link], as applicable. regions of frame members:
[Link] - Structures assigned to SDC B shall satisfy (a) Over a length equal to twice the member depth
21.1.2. measured from the face of the supporting member
[Link] - Structures assigned to SDC C shall satisfy toward midspan, at both ends of the flexural member.
21.1.2 and 21.1.8 as applicable. (b) Over lengths equal to twice the member depth on
[Link] - Structures assigned to SDC D, E, or F shall both sides of a section where flexural yielding is
satisfy 21.1.2, 21.1.8 and 21.11 through 21.13. likely to occur in connection with inelastic lateral
displacements of the frame.
[Link] - Structures systems designed as part of the
seismic-force-resisting system shall be restricted to
 Page 8 • TF 207-R-09

[Link] - The first hoop shall be located not more than

2 in. from the face of a supporting member. Spacing
of the hoops shall not exceed the smallest of (a), (b),
(c), (d):
(a) d/4;
(b) eight times the diameter of the smallest longitu-
dinal bars;
(c) 24 times the diameter of the hoop bars; and
(d) 12 in.
[Link] - Where hoops are required, longitudinal bars
on the perimeter shall have lateral support conforming
to [Link].
[Link] - Where hoops are not required, stirrups shall
be spaced at no more than d/2 throughout the length
of the member.
[Link] - Stirrups or ties required to resist shear shall
be hoops over lengths of members in [Link].
[Link] - Hoops in flexural members are shall be
permitted to be made up of two pieces of reinforce-
ment: a stirrup having seismic hooks at both ends and
closed by a crosstie. Consecutive crossties engaging
the same longitudinal bar shall have their 90-degree
hooks at opposite sides of the flexural member. If the
longitudinal reinforcing bars secured by the crossties
are confined by a slab only on one side of the flexural
frame member, the 90-degree hooks of the crossties
shall be placed on that side.
21.9 - Special structural walls and coupling beams.
21.9.1 - Scope
Requirements of 21.9 apply to special structural walls,
cast-in-place or precast, and coupling beams forming
part of seismic-force-resisting system. Special struc-
tural walls constructed using precast concrete shall
also comply with 21.10
21.9.2 - Reinforcement
[Link] - The distributed reinforcement ratios, ρl, and
ρt for structural walls shall not be less than 0.0025,
except that if Vu does not exceed Acvλ , ρl, and ρt
shall be permitted to be reduced to the values
required in 14.3. Reinforcement spacing each way in
structural walls and diaphragms shall not exceed 18 in.
Reinforcement contributing to Vu shall be continuous
and shall be distributed across the shear plane.
[Link] - At least two curtains of reinforcement shall
be used in a wall if exceeds Vu 2Acvλ .

* Expressions or factors being considered for change

in future codes.

**The constant carries the unit of in.2/lb.

 Page 9 • TF 207-R-09

A Listing of
ASTM Standards Applicable to Wire and WWR
A 82 Specification for Steel Wire, Plain, for Concrete Reinforcement
A 123 Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products
A 185 Specification for Steel Welded Wire, Plain, for Concrete Reinforcement
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
A 496 Specification for Steel Wire, Deformed, for Concrete Reinforcement
A 497 Specification for Steel Welded Wire, Deformed, for Concrete
Reinforcement
A 641 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking and Loading Methods for
Steel Products
A 884 Specification for Epoxy-Coated Steel Wire and Welded Wire for
Reinforcement
A 933 Specification for Vinyl (PVC) Coated Steel Wire and Welded Wire
for Reinforcement
A 1022 Specification for Deformed and Plain Stainless Steel Wire
and Welded Wire for Concrete Reinforcement

This report is furnished as a guide to industry practice. The

Wire Reinforcement Institute (WRI) and its members make no
warranty of any kind regarding the use of this report for other
than informational purposes. This report is intended for the use of
professionals competent to evaluate the significance and limita-
tions of its contents and who will accept the responsibility for the
application of the material it contains. WRI provides the foregoing
material as a matter of information and, therefore, disclaims any
and all responsibility for application of the stated principles or the
accuracy of the sources other than material developed by the
Institute.