ENGINEERING
ETN-C-3-14
Dropping Main Reinforcement
Bars for Use as Support Bars
Technical Note Introduction
Depending on several factors, a reinforce-
ment mat can be tied (built) in-place or pre-
tied in a different location and then placed
as a unit with the aid of adequate hoisting.
For the latter condition, the outermost bars
would be placed on bar supports to main-
tain the specified concrete cover designat-
ed on the design drawings. The bar support
types vary, and could consist of a single
unit support, or a line type chair or bolster
support. Bar support types are discussed
later in this Technical Note.
Reinforcement mats that are tied (built)
in-place typically require starter support
bars at a relatively wide spacing to hold up
the outermost layer of reinforcement as it
is initially placed. In turn, the starter sup-
port bars are placed on the bar supports.
Support bars are used to construct a “rigid
frame” on which a mat of reinforcing bars is
placed and tied. This rigid frame allows the
Placer to work efficiently and safely, while
maintaining the designed location of the re-
inforcing bars.
The use of support bars can be accom-
plished in two ways: 1) additional, non-struc-
tural support bars can be provided in addition
to the main reinforcing bars or 2) a portion of
the main reinforcing bars can be lowered in
elevation for use as support bars (dropped
structural bars). Depending on various re-
gional practices and Placer preferences,
dropping main reinforcing bars is the pre-
ferred method for supporting the reinforce-
ment when constructing foundation mats
Concrete Reinforcing
and slabs on ground, because it is a practi-
cal solution that is beneficial for Contractors,
Steel Institute
Placers and Fabricators in terms of cost,
time, uniformity and quality. Note that re-
inforcing bar Detailers and reinforcing bar
Placers commonly refer to dropped struc-
tural bars as buried contract bars.
While support bars are often consid-
ered a constructability and/or contractor
“means and methods” issue, the licensed
design professional (LDP) should take into
consideration that the preferred method
for assembly of reinforcing steel mats is
to drop structural bars for use as support
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bars. Therefore, whenever possible, details
showing or notations allowing the dropping
of structural bars for use as support bars
should be incorporated into the structural
drawings prior to being issued for construc-
tion. Otherwise, the Contractor, Placer and
Fabricator will usually discuss the option of
dropping bars prior to submitting the draw-
ings for approval. This option will be submit-
ted to the LDP for approval either through a
request for information (RFI) or a question
on a placing drawing. In either case, let this
Technical Note serve as a guide.
Design Impact of Dropping Bars
It is important to note that dropping bars
will have an impact on the effective depth
of the reinforcement in the structure. In
some cases, dropping bars will slightly in-
crease the effective depth, in other cases
the effective depth will slightly decrease.
In some cases, dropping bars can affect
the concrete cover as well. The impact on
effective depth and concrete cover will be
discussed in the following examples.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual
supports used and application varies.
Figure 1 — Typical Foundation Mat/Footing Section
with Dropped Structural Bars in Bottom Layer
Dropped (Buried) Bottom Bar
Considerations
It is common practice to drop some of
the reinforcing bars from the inner-most
bottom layer for use as support bars, as
shown in Fig. 1. If this method is used, the
spacing (in one direction) of individual bar
supports supporting the bottom mat off of
the ground will be controlled by the spacing
of the dropped bars.
Conversation between the Contractor,
Placer and Fabricator and the Engineer’s
approval are needed to address where the
required concrete cover will be measured from. There
are two options concerning the concrete cover on the
reinforcement in the bottom layer.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual supports used and
application varies.
Figure 2 — Effect of Dropping Structural Bars on Concrete Cover -
Option #1
Option #1
The required concrete cover to the outer-most layer of
bottom bars will be maintained, as shown in Fig. 2. This
option requires the dropped support bars to encroach
into the bottom concrete cover. This option will result in
a slight increase in the effective depth of the reinforce-
ment in the inner-most bottom layer, which will mean a
slight increase in the moment capacity of the cross sec-
tion. However, concrete cover for those dropped bars
in the layer will be reduced by one bar diameter (of the
dropped bars). For a footing or foundation this may not
be an issue, as the concrete is likely placed on undis-
turbed soil or a level, prepared sub-base, and the con-
crete cover may be 3 in. per ACI 318 [2011]. The intrusion
into the bottom cover may be viewed as minor by the
LDP, depending on bar size.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual supports used and
application varies.
Figure 3 — Effect of Dropping Structural Bars on Concrete Cover -
Option #2
Option #2
The required concrete cover to the outer-most layer of
bottom bars is provided to the dropped support bars, as
shown in Fig. 3. This option moves the main bottom bars
upward by one bar diameter, which will reduce the ef-
fective depth of these bar layers by one bar diameter.
The section moment capacity will be reduced propor-
tionately in each direction. Notice that the bars in the in-
ner-most layer of bottom bars will also be moved up one
bar diameter and so reduce their effective depth as well.
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2 Dropping Main Reinforcing Bars for Use as Support Bars [ETN C-4-14]
Depending on the overall thickness of the member and
the percentage of reinforcement, this slight reduction
may be minor; alternately, the LDP may need to verify if
the slight reduction in effective depth still maintains the
flexural capacity of the section, in both directions.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual supports used and
application varies.
Note: Bottom reinforcement not shown for clarity.
Figure 4 — Typical Foundation Mat/Footing Section with Dropped
Structural Bars in Top Layer
Dropped (Buried) Top Bar Considerations
Figure 4 shows an example of a footing or foundation
with a top or upper mat of reinforcing bars. In this figure,
the lower reinforcement mat has been omitted for clarity.
For the upper mat, it may be possible to drop reinforc-
ing bars from the outermost top layer for use as support
bars. If this method is used, the spacing (in one direc-
tion) of individual bar supports supporting the top mat
will be controlled by the spacing of the dropped bars.
In this instance, the top concrete cover is maintained to
the outermost layer and is likely not a concern. The ef-
fective depth of the reinforcement in that layer is slightly
reduced, as is the moment capacity of the section.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual supports used and
application varies.
Figure 5 — Typical Foundation Mat/Footing Section with Dropped
Structural Bars in Top and Bottom Layers
Details for Combined Dropped (Buried) Top
and Bottom Bars
Within a single footing or foundation mat, it is common
to drop some of the reinforcing bars from both the top
and bottom layers for use as support bars, as shown in
Fig. 5. The impact on the design strength of the section
has already been discussed, with the moment capacity
of the outer-most top layer being reduced and the mo-
ment capacity of the bottom layer either being increased
or decreased, depending on how the concrete cover at
the bottom is maintained.
Note: Bar supports omitted for clarity. Actual supports used and
application varies.
Figure 6 — Typical Slabs on Ground Section (Only Single Mat
Required) with Dropped Structural Bars
Dropped (Buried) Slab on Ground Bar
Considerations
For a slab on ground with a single mat of reinforce-
ment, it may be possible to drop reinforcing bars from
the top layer for use as support bars, as shown in Fig.
6. If this method is used, the spacing (in one direction)
of the individual bar supports supporting the single mat
will be controlled by the spacing of the dropped bars.
Whether dropping bars will affect the concrete cover de-
pends on where the layer of reinforcement is positioned
in the slab, and the slab thickness.
Important Steps for Dropping Bars
Once the decision has been made to utilize dropped
bars, it is important that the following steps be followed:
1. The proposed bars to be dropped and the specific re-
inforcing bar arrangement needs to be agreed upon
by the Contractor, Placer and Fabricator.
2. 
The proposal to incorporate dropped bars in the
reinforcement placement needs to be sent to the
LDP for approval through the use of an RFI and/or
specifically called out on placing drawings submitted
for review. The LDP needs to approve this support
method, because a portion of the main reinforcing
bars are being moved from their design location. If
used, the RFI should be clearly worded and contain
a sketch that clearly shows the proposed support
method and reinforcing bar arrangement. If the re-
inforcement arrangement will affect the concrete
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cover, then these details must also be clearly shown
in the RFI sketch. Similar requirements apply to de-
tails shown on placing drawings.
3. Approval should be obtained from the LDP for the
dropped bar arrangement. All field personnel and
Inspectors need to be made aware of the support
method.
4. 
The placing drawings must include a detail that
clearly shows the approved support method and re-
inforcing bar arrangement.
Reinforcing Bar Supports for Foundation
Mats and Footings
Figure 7 shows various types of bar supports used in
foundation mats and footings. Most reinforcement sup-
ports for these applications have larger bearing surfaces
on their base to mitigate settlement or punching into the
base material. The supports may be precast concrete
blocks (dobies), or “sand plates” on conventional com-
posite or steel supports.
Bar supports are generally estimated and furnished
(for the top bars only) for slabs up to 4 feet [1,200 mm]
thick unless otherwise specified on the project drawings
or in the project specifications. In certain regions of the
country, bar supports are generally not furnished by the
reinforcing steel Supplier for bars in singly-reinforced
slabs on ground. Because there are many ways of sup-
porting such bars, Suppliers generally furnish supports
for such purposes only by special arrangement.
Standees, normally fabricated from reinforcing bars,
are a common form of bar support, especially for heavy
mats of reinforcement or for supporting reinforcement
at relatively greater heights. Commonly, #4 bar standees
are used for concrete thickness of 2 feet [600 mm] or
Figure 7 — Typical Types of Bar Supports for Foundation Mats and
Footings
CRSI Technical Note 3
 Glossary of Terms
Effective Depth – Distance measured from the ex-
treme compression fiber to the centroid of longitu-
dinal tension reinforcement for the direction under
consideration.

Support Bars – Reinforcing bars used to ease the

placement of reinforcing bars.

Figure 8 — Typical Standees Additional Non-Structural Support Bars –

less, and #5 bar standees are used for concrete thick-
ness from 2 to 4 feet [600 to 1,200 mm]. Figure 8 shows
typical standee configurations: bar bend Types 25 and
26.
The design of a support system for top steel for ei-
ther slabs on ground or foundation mats over 4 feet
[1,200 mm] thick is generally the responsibility of the
Contractor. The reinforcing bar Supplier cannot design
the support system due to lack of knowledge and con-
trol of construction loads and placement methods. The
reinforcing bar Supplier will quote the support system
based on the Customer’s/Buyer’s design.
More information on bar supports for foundations, and
bar supports in general, can be found in Chapter 3 of
CRSI’s Manual of Standard Practice [2009].
Conclusion
For foundation mats and slabs on ground, the prac-
tice of lowering in elevation (dropping) some of the
main reinforcing bars to serve as support bars for the
entire reinforcement mat is an accepted and common
practice. However, this practice can affect the moment
capacity of the member cross section and possibly the
concrete cover on the reinforcement. For these rea-
sons, the Designer must give his/her approval and all
concerned parties (Contractor, Placer, Inspector, and
Fabricator) must have a clear understanding of the
specific reinforcement arrangement. Although the ex-
amples in this Technical Note only highlight foundations
mats and slabs on ground, dropping bars can also be
employed in walls, elevated slabs, and other reinforced
concrete members.
Reinforcing bars that are not required per structural
design and are added ONLY when dropped bars are
not utilized. These reinforcing bars serve no structural
purpose and are only intended to maintain the location
of reinforcing bars/mats required per structural design
during concrete placement. These bars are supplied in
addition to the reinforcing bars required per structural
design.
Dropped Structural Bars – Main reinforcing bars re-
quired per structural design that are lowered in eleva-
tion (dropped) with the LDP’s approval for the purpose
of supporting and maintaining the location of reinforcing
bars/mats required per structural design during concrete
placement. No added support bars are supplied as de-
sign reinforcement is used.
Buried Contract Bars – Common term for dropped
structural bars.
LDP – Licensed Design Professional
RFI – Request for Information
References
American Concrete Institute - ACI Committee 318 (2011), Building
Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-11) and Com-
mentary (ACI 318R-11), American Concrete Institute, Farmington
Hills, Michigan, 503 pp.
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute - CRSI (2009), Manual of
Standard Practice, 28th Edition, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute,
Schaumburg, IL, 144 pp.

Contributors: Robert Hall, Dale Rinehart, Chris Stowers and Neal S. Anderson, PE, SE, with review by members Concrete
of the CRSI Placing Reinforcing Bars Committee. Reinforcing
Keywords: Concrete cover, contractor bar, dropped bar, effective depth, flexural capacity, reinforcing bar, rein-
Steel
forcement support Institute
Reference: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute – CRSI [2014], “Dropping Main Reinforcing Bars for Use as Sup- 933 North Plum Grove Rd.
port Bars,” CRSI Technical Note ETN-C-3-14, Schaumburg, Illinois, 4pp. Schaumburg, IL 60173-4758
p. 847-517-1200 • f. 847-517-1206
Historical: None. New Technical Note.
www.crsi.org
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©2014 This publication, or any part thereof, may not be
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application of the stated principles or for the accuracy of the sources other than material developed by the Institute.
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