Figure 1.
Different types of ties may
Types of rebar ties
Proper tying is essential to maintain bar position
I n the February 1984 issue of CON -
CRETE CONSTRUCTION, page
155, general principles for bar plac -
ing were discussed. That article ex -
plained concrete cover or protection
requirements and reviewed toler -
ances in bar placement. This article
illustrates and describes common
types of bar ties.
Tie wire
Although the practice of carrying
tie wire varies somewhat in different
regions across the country, tie wire
is usually available in 3- to 4-pound
coils. The coils are readily placed in
a tie wire holder or reel especially
designed for this purpose. These
reels are suspended from an iron-
w o rk e r’s belt for easy accessibility
and use.
be needed for floors, walls, heavy
mats, columns or preassembled
cages. Bars must be held securely in
position so that they don’t shift
while work is being done by other
trades or during concrete placing.
pages and illustrated in Figure 1.
Wire used for tying re i n f o rc i n g
bars is usually No. 161⁄2- or No. 16-
gage black, soft-annealed wire. In
A snap or single tie is normally
used in flat horizontal work to se-
cure the reinforcing bars in position
some cases a heavier gage wire may
against displacement due to work
be used. No. 15- or No. 14-gage tie
done by other trades and by con-
wire (or double No. 161⁄2- or No. 16-
crete placing. This is a very simple
gage) may be used when tying bars
tie; it is wrapped once around the
in heavily reinforced caissons or
two crossing bars in a diagonal
walls to maintain the proper posi-
manner with the two wire ends on
tion of the reinforcement.
top. The wires are then twisted to-
Types of ties gether with a pair of pliers until they
are tight against the bars. The wire is
There are various types of ties
cut with pliers and the ends flat-
used when securing reinforcing
tened, to prevent them from snag-
bars. Much of the tying is done on
ging clothing and from pro t ru d i n g
flat, horizontal formwork such as
through the concrete surfaces. This
floor slabs, and many backaches
type of tie is also used when tying
can be saved if one learns to bend
bars in caissons, at times using No.
and tie stiff-legged instead of squat-
15- or No. 14-gage wire. The snap or
ting. Se ve ral of the most common
single tie may be made stronger by
types of ties are described on these

Figure 2. Nailhead ties are used when nails are employed as
spreaders to hold wall bars away from the forms. Sideform
spacers or bar supports are more commonly used to
maintain adequate concrete cover.
doubling the wire rather than using the heavier gage
wire. This tie would then be called a double snap tie or a
single tie-double wire.
The wrap and snap tie is normally used when tying
wall reinforcement and holds the bars securely in posi-
tion so that the horizontal bars do not shift while work
is done by other trades or during concrete placing. The
tie is made by wrapping the wire 11⁄2 times around the
vertical bar, and then diagonally around the intersect-
ing horizontal bar, completing the tie in the same man-
ner as for a snap tie (single tie).
A saddle or “U” tie is more complicated than the first
two described but is favored in certain regions. It is used
for tying of footing bars or other mats to hold hooked
ends of bars in position; it is also used for securing col-
umn ties to vertical bars. The wires pass halfway around
one of the bars on each side of the crossing bar, then are
brought squarely around the crossing bar and then up
Figure 3. It isn’t necessary to tie bars at every intersection.
A tie at every fourth or fifth intersection is usually
sufficient.
and around the first bar where they are twisted as
shown.
The wrap and saddle tie is similar to the saddle tie ex-
cept that the wire is wrapped 11⁄2 times around the first
bar, then completed as described for the saddle tie. This
type can be used to secure heavy mats that are lifted by
crane and for securing column ties to vertical bars where
there is a considerable strain on the ties.
A figure eight tie is occasionally used in walls instead
of the wrap and snap tie.
In addition, there is the nailhead tie (Figure 2), used
when nails are employed as spreaders to hold wall bars
away from the forms. The wire is wrapped once around
the nailhead, then around the outside bar of the wall
mat, drawing the bar securely against the nailhead by
twisting the ends of the wire.
General principles of bar tying
The proper tying of bars is essential in order to main-
tain bar positions during work done by other trades and
Figure 4. When snap ties are used for preassembled mats,
every bar intersection around the perimeter and alternate
intersections within the interior of the mat should be tied.
This helps to make the mats rigid enough for handling.
during concrete placing. It is not necessary to tie bars at
e ve ry intersection. Tying adds nothing to the strength of
the finished structure. In most cases, a tie at every 4th or
5th intersection is all that is necessary (Figure 3). Ends of
finished ties should be kept clear of the concrete surface.
When tying bars in slabs that are being assembled in
place, the spacing of ties should be governed by the bar
sizes. Usually snap ties are used.
Wall bars that are assembled in place should be tied
sufficiently to prevent shifting as concrete is being
placed. The snap tie or wrap and snap tie is generally
used, but in most cases the snap tie is adequate.
For preassembled mats, a sufficient number of bar in-
tersections should be tied to make the mats rigid enough
for handling (Figure 4). When snap ties are used, every
bar intersection around the perimeter and alternate in-
tersections within the interior of the mat should be tied.
Editor’s note:
This article is based upon information
in the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Insti-
tute’s book Placing Reinforcing Bars.
Copies of the 193-page book are
available from CRSI, 933 North Plum
Grove Road, Schaumburg, Illinois
60195.

PUBLICATION #C840499
Copyright © 1984, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved