rebar requirements

huangyhg

rebar requirements
i am designing a concrete columm to support (4) 12" x 12" timber columns that form a square with 6" space in the middle.  the timbers have a small compressive load (3k each) and are only this large for aesthetics.  ideally i would like a 30" x 30" x 72" column on top of a footing to support these timbers and attach stone work to.  
to meet aci reinenforcement requirements a a large amount of rebar is needed since the column is so large even though the loading is minor.  
is there another way to approach this problem so i don't need so much rebar?
you can still design under code for up to one-half the minimum compression steel if you use one-half the section properties (aci 318-02 paragraph 10.8.4).
can the conc stub be considered as a plain conc pedestal?  and then chuck some rebar in for comfort?