The development length of reinforcement is a critical parameter in structural concrete design, ensuring that reinforcing bars can adequately transfer stresses between the concrete and steel. Section 12.2 and 12.3 of CSA A23.3-14 provides the requirements and methodologies for calculating development length to achieve proper anchorage of reinforcement. This ensures structural integrity, safety, and serviceability under various loading conditions. The development length is influenced by bar size, concrete strength, bond conditions, cover, spacing, and whether the bar is in tension or compression. The provision covers basic development lengths for straight bars, adjustments for epoxy coatings, confinement effects, and conditions where bars are hooked or bundled.
The latest SkyCiv Foundation Design update supports standard hooked reinforcements, enabling precise development length checks. Users can now customize footing bar ends as straight bars, 90° hooks, or 180° hooks, ensuring flexibility for various design needs. This guide outlines the step-by-step process for determining the required development length for pad footings following CSA A23.3-14 Section 12, considering relevant modification factors to comply with code requirements.
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Development Length Check for Dowel Bars
Dowel bars in pad footings ensure a strong connection between the footing and columns, effectively transferring loads and maintaining structural integrity. Factors such as bar diameter, steel grade, and concrete strength determine the required embedment. Ensure the embedment meets or exceeds the calculated length for safe load transfer and anchorage. Typically, column pedestals are subjected to compression loads, and the required development length is calculated using the provisions under Section 12.3.
Section 12.3.2: Basic compression development length (ldb)
fy = Rebar yield strength (MPa)
f’c = Concrete strength (MPa)
db = Dowel bar diameter (mm)
The SkyCiv Foundation Design module checks each load combination to determine if the column is subjected to tensile forces. If so, the required development length is calculated following Section 12.5.
Available depth (l)
The available depth should be greater than or equal to the calculated required embedment of the dowel bars. This depth is checked using Equations 2, then compared to the computed development length for the utility ratio.
\(l = t – (cover + d_{b,x} + d_{b,z}) \) (Eq. 2)
Where:
t = Footing Thickness (mm)
cover = Bottom concrete cover (mm)
db,x, db,z = Footing bar size in the x and z directions (mm)
Development Length Check For Footing Reinforcements
The SkyCiv Foundation Design module allows users to specify bar end configurations as straight or hooked bars (90° or 180°).
Calculating the required development length for footing reinforcements directly influences the footing’s dimensions, ensuring they are adequate to anchor the reinforcement against tensile forces. Section 12.2 and 12.5 provides a guide on determining the required development length for footing reinforcements.
Straight bars (Section 12.2.3)
Where:
Section 12.2.4: Modification factors
Standard hooked bars (Section 12.5)
The basic development length, lhb, shall be multiplied by applicable modification factors:
Section 12.5.3: Factors modifying hook development length
Available Development Length
\(l_{provided} \geq l_{d,req’d}\) (Eq. 7)
Detailing Check: Verification of Footing Thickness (t):
The SkyCiv Foundation Design module checks whether the footing thickness is adequate based on bar configuration and concrete cover. If it is insufficient or the bars protrude, it issues a warning instead of a design failure. The module evaluates the footing thickness at each end of the longitudinal and transverse reinforcements in both the top and bottom layers.
\(\left(\text{h + cover}\right) \leq t\) (Eq. 8)
Want to try SkyCiv’s Foundation Design software? Our free tool allows users to perform concrete footing calculations without downloading or installing anything!
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BSc, MEng (Civil)
