flexural cracking).

Tables 3-2 and 3-3 give the minimum and maximum number of bars in a single layer for
beams of various widths; selection of bars within these limits will provide automatic code conformance with
the cover and spacing requirements.

Table 3-2 Minimum Number of Bars in a Single Layer (ACI 10.6)

BAR
SIZE
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9
No. 10
No. 11

12
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

14
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

16
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

18
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

20
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

BEAM WIDTH (in.)

22
24
26
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
4

28
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

30
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

36
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

42
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

48
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

The values in Tables 3-2 are based on a cover of 2 in. to the main flexural reinforcement (i.e., 1.5 in. clear
cover to the stirrups plus the diameter of a No. 4 stirrup). In general, the following equations can be used to
determine the minimum number of bars n in a single layer for any situation (see Fig. 3-2):

n m in =
where

b w 2(c c + 0.5d b )
+1
s