Wire Sizing and Spacing

A list of every wire size available on the market today is found in this Table(Wire Size and Weight Table). Each manufacture has their on limitation. The only facility that can produce and weld a D32 to a D45 wire is Ivy's Houston facility. Most of the Ivy facilities have the ability to produce and weld up to a D31. Two other maunfacturers that can weld up to a D31 are Connecticut Steel and Oklahoma Steel.

Spacing limitations are directly related to the welder's limitations. Prior to 2000 most welders were limited to even line wire (longitudinal wire) spacing (2",4"6",8",10".....). The Welding equipment being installed today is more technologically advanced and has the ability to do odd size line wire spacing (3.5",6.875"...) Cross wire spacing can be almost any dimension.

Therefore from a fabrication point of view there are no particular ranges in size or minimum and maximum spacing. From a design point of view the ACI code has established some design parameters.

Reinforcing shall not be spaced father apart than 3 times the wall or slab thickness. ACI 318 7.6.5

Variable Size and Spacing:

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Max spacing by code:

Plain Fabric ............. 12"   ACI 318 3.5.3.5
Deformed Fabric ..... 16"   ACI 318 3.5.3.6
Slab on  grade ......... 18"