Question

The specifications for a reinforced masonry wall called for 1.5 sq in. of reinforcing steel per square foot of cross-sectional area. If the three pieces of steel being used had cross sections of 0.125, 0.200, and 1.017 sq in., did they meet the specifications for a 1-sq-ft area?

Answer 1

First, let's add the three areas of the pieces of steel:

$0.125+0.200+1.017=1.342in^2$

since the specifications for the reinforced wall called for 1.5 square inches of reinforcing, we have that they did not meet the specifications, since 1.5 is greater than 1.342