Proper reinforcement fabrication and its placement in forms are vital in concrete constructions, to achieve the design requirements. The following are some of the prevailing errors and mistakes in the placement of reinforcement infield practice.
- Improper anchorage of the main reinforcement at the intersection of the cantilever slab and beam.
- Ineffective placement of reinforcement with respect to the depth of the member, which reduces the lever arm in the beam or slab.
- Discontinuity of reinforcement at continuous edges of the slabs.
- Deformations and dislocations of reinforcement during concreting due to construction loads. (e.g., workers walking over the reinforcements.
- Inadequate lap lengths.
- Cluster of reinforcing bars at splicing points.
- Inadequate spacing of bars.
- Insufficient or non-uniform cover for reinforcement, which leads to corrosion.
- Improper use or absence of cover blocks.
- Reduction in bar diameter due to corrosion and due to improper storage of the bars at the site
- Bars with larger diameters used due to the non-availability of bars with correct diameters.
- Improper detailing and placing of stirrups.
