Your thoughts on my basement plans

[Deere Dude]

Jj

Structurally, the rebar should extend from the foundation into the wall with a bent bar (L shaped). The same thing for the roof.
Why use cattle panel instead of rebar?

I used cattle panels and rebar. I welded it all together because for me trying to bend 1/2" rebar in nice and tight corners curves would have been more work IMO. I can weld but not bend very well. I made the ceiling 7' tall actually because that was as high as my FEL would go.

The whole thing fit in the back corner of my garage addition.

 

[CurlyDave]

I used cattle panels and rebar. I welded it all together because for me trying to bend 1/2" rebar in nice and tight corners curves would have been more work IMO. I can weld but not bend very well. I made the ceiling 7' tall actually because that was as high as my FEL would go...

Most rebar is not intended to be welded, and it weakens it considerably. There is special weldable rebar which is designated by a "W" stamped on the bar.

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie take a look at this design guide detail from FEMA - might help answer your question

Link

WOW, that link is amazing!!! Thank you. I can see that I was being overly optimistic in thinking my existing slab would be sufficient. What I'm thinking of doing now is to cut out the slab where the walls will go and then dig down a foot, and also dig under the existing slab to create an upside down T. Then run the rebar under the existing slab with a bend at the bottom going under the slab similar to the letter L. I'm going to use cinder blocks and run the rebar from under my existing slab up through the blocks, then like Dave said, bend them over for the roof and pour that in concrete.

Now to decided on the door.