Re-bar in sono tubes

[Shawn B]

How much re-bar, in regards to spacing,  is needed for a 12" diameter sono tube? I'm thinking that 4   1/2" diameter re-bar in a square pattern sunk around 2' in the ground would be fine. Also there will be a footer of around 6"--12" deep.

These sono tubes will be holding up my 14' x 28' Builders Cottage and a 7' x 28' lean too addition. Tubes will be spaced roughly 5 1/2' apart.

[dug]

That's what I used with my 12 in. tubes, with a couple of rings to strengthen it. I had heard that you shouldn't have the bars directly in the ground as it could start to rust and travel up the metal. Maybe not a real concern though. I bent mine in a U shape and propped them up off the bottom with small stones before I poured.

[Rover]

Yup, they should be propped off the bottom and not touching the dirt.  Don't use a clay brick because they will wick up moisture.  I think this rule is important where the rebar is lying horizontally along footings.  Maybe not a big issue with rebar vertically in a post.

Do keep the rebar 2" from the side of the form.

[MountainDon]

Yes, do not drive them into the ground.

[rick91351]

There are several plastic chairs you can purchase for this usage.  They are very inexpensive.  If you do not have a construction outlet close there are a couple mail order places on the net and the big box stores carry a few. 

[Shawn B]

Thanks for the info about not letting the re-bar touch the ground. Had to re-search what a "chair" is, but when I saw them at the lumber yard I realized that I had seen these before. Will use the chairs for sure in the footers.

Now the sono tubes that Lowes and Menards have run a +/- 1/2" difference in diameter! Is this normal?

[dug]

Now the sono tubes that Lowes and Menards have run a +/- 1/2" difference in diameter! Is this normal?

Yep. So they can ship and store them more efficiently.

[Shawn B]

That's what I was thinking.....for storage.