R608.8.1.1

Section R608.8.1.1 is titled 'Horizontal reinforcement' and covers requirements for wall construction. The requirement for openings of a certain width in exterior concrete walls to have lintel reinforcement and horizontal reinforcement above and below the opening at certain locations is established. The purpose of this section is to prevent structural failure. This section has an exception which allows for the continuous horizontal wall reinforcement to also be considered the opening reinforcement provided it is placed in specific locations and sized as required by other sections of this code. The purpose of this exception is to clarify that already existing reinforcement, when sized and placed appropriately, may serve dual purposes of wall and opening reinforcement, thus eliminating unnecessary redundancy and potential weakening of the wall by having too much reinforcement in one location.

The model shows an x-rayed wall section with highlighted horizontal and lintel reinforcement.