After checking the perimeter forms, Bill Brown’s team started laying out the reinforcing steel (rebar) over the hollow core concrete panels on our ground floor. There will be at least three inches of concrete covering all of the hollow core concrete panels.

Lots of Steel

In the living areas, we are using #3 rebar, 18 inches on center, each way.  Interpreting this, the rebar is 3/8 of an inch in diameter and it is put down in a grid, with each ‘square’ 18 inches by 18 inches.  The garage will have #3 rebar, set 12 inches on center each way.

Also, we are pouring concrete to two levels on our ground floor.  Where there is hardwood flooring, we are pouring 3 inches of concrete over the hollow core concrete panels.  Where there is exposed concrete, we are pouring 5.25 inches of concrete. 

Where there is exposed concrete, we will have the PEX tubing for our radiant heating set on top of the rebar.  We will have to ensure the PEX is fastened securely to the rebar so it doesn’t float up in the concrete where it could be damaged by the 1/2 inch deep saw cuts in the concrete that are designed to control the cracking that will occur in the concrete.

Starting to tie the rebar together.

The rebar is set at 18 inches on center, each way. The intersections are tied together with wire to hold the rebar in place until the concrete is poured and cured.

Setting forms by the Bridge Hall at the front of the house.

Forms in place at the front of the living room. This edge, with the concrete and steel I-beam, will be seen by everyone when they enter the house.

Rebar in place at the front of the house (but not in the garage).

Jorge recording hours at the end of the day.

It is good to see the rebar mat in place as we want to complete pouring concrete before Thanksgiving.