Beam ties are smaller diameter transverse bars, commonly known as ties, that attach the longitudinal reinforcement bars at regular intervals in a column. They are used to maintain the vertical position of the main bars and to provide some resistance against buckling. Beam ties can be arranged in different patterns, such as rectangular, circular, or triangular, depending on the number and shape of the longitudinal bars. Beam ties are also known as lateral ties or stirrups (as essentially, they act in a similar manner as traditional rebar stirrups).
Beam ties have several uses in reinforced concrete construction.
- They help to confine the concrete core and prevent it from spalling under high compressive loads.
- They also enhance the ductility and seismic performance of the column by allowing it to deform plastically without losing strength.
- They also facilitate proper placement and consolidation of concrete around the main bars, especially when large diameters or high reinforcement ratios are used.
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Column ties are made by bending steel bars into closed loops or rings that enclose the longitudinal bars. The ends of the ties are usually hooked around one of the main bars to secure them in place. The spacing between the ties should not exceed 12 times the minimum diameter of the longitudinal bars, nor 60% of the lesser dimension of the column, according to Eurocode 2 part 1-1 [1]. The diameter of the ties should not be less than one-fourth of the diameter of the largest longitudinal bar, nor less than 6 mm [2].
Beam ties are very common in reinforced concrete construction, especially for columns with rectangular or square cross-sections. Though not so much for traditional house construction in the UK, with primary load bearing coming from interior and exterior walls. They are also used for columns with circular cross-sections, but sometimes spiral reinforcement is preferred for better confinement and ductility. Spiral reinforcement being constructed from a continuous helical bar that wraps around the longitudinal bars with a constant pitch. Beam ties are also used for columns with special moment frames that are designed to resist lateral forces from earthquakes or wind.
Some examples of beam ties usage in modern construction are:
- Residential and commercial buildings with reinforced concrete frames
- Bridges and viaducts with reinforced concrete piers and abutments
- Industrial structures with reinforced concrete columns and beams
- Water tanks and silos with reinforced concrete walls and columns
What is the difference between beam ties and rebar stirrups?
Beam ties and rebar stirrups are both types of transverse reinforcement used in reinforced concrete structures, but they have different functions and applications.
Column ties are used in columns to maintain the vertical position of the longitudinal bars and to provide some resistance against buckling. They are also used to confine the concrete core and enhance the ductility and seismic performance of the column. Beam ties are usually rectangular or square loops or rings that are placed at regular intervals along the column. They are hooked around one of the longitudinal bars to secure them in place. Beam ties are commonly used for columns with rectangular or square cross-sections.
Rebar stirrups are used in beams to resist shear and diagonal tension stresses. They are also used to hold the longitudinal bars in place and prevent them from buckling or slipping. Rebar stirrups are usually rectangular or square loops or rings that are placed at variable intervals along the beam. They are bent at 90 degrees at both ends and overlap each other. Rebar stirrups are commonly used for beams with rectangular or square cross-sections.
The main difference between beam ties and rebar stirrups is that beam ties are spaced uniformly along the column, whereas rebar stirrups are spaced variably along the beam. Beam ties are designed to prevent column failure due to axial compression and lateral forces, whereas rebar stirrups are designed to prevent beam failure due to bending and shear.
