VKE Structures Division

Drawing Aids

Revision :
Date:

01
10/04/2003

DRAWING AIDS

Structure
PAPER SIZES

The standard paper sizes are shown in the table below. Drawing sizes follow these but drawings
are normally not smaller than A4 in their original size.
Designation

Size (mm)

A0
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
A10

841 x 1189
594 x 841
420 x 594
297 x 420
210 x 297
148 x 210
105 x 148
74 x 105
52 x 74
37 x 52
26 x 37

MASS OF REINFORCING BARS

(See appendix C of SABS 920-1985)
Bar Size (mm)

Nominal Mass (kg/m)

6
8
10
12
16
20
25
32
40

0.222
0.395
0.617
0.888
1.580
2.470
3.850
6.310
9.860

SIZE OF STEEL STOOLS

Steel stools to be bent into Shape Code 83 (see SABS 82)
Diameter
(mm)
10
12
16

Height Range
(mm)
100-300
310-500
510-1000

Top Length, Max

(mm)
300
450
600

Values taken from SABS 0144-1978, Pg 37, Section 5.2.5.2.

Feet Length
(mm)
100
150
250

Bars Supported
(No.)
2
2 or 3
2 or 3

Structure

DRAWING AIDS

STANDARD ABBRIEVIATIONS FOR REINFORCEMENT LABELLING

EF
T
B
FF
NF
SF
STG
ALT

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

Each Face
Top Layer
Bottom Layer
Far Face
Near Face
Side Face
Staggered Bars
Alternating Bars

CALCULATION OF LONGITUDINAL BARS

Below is the correct way to calculate the number of longitudinal bars in a cage.

Ls = L 2(Cover + 4d)
N = Ls + 1
S
d = Diameter of bar
Ls = Distance between first and last bars
S = Nominal spacing between bars
N = Number of bars (rounded to the nearest whole number)
Example:

L = 2100, Cover = 50, d = 32, S = 200

N = 2100 2(50 + (4 x 32)) + 1 = 9.72 = 10
200

DRAWING AIDS

Structure
APPROACH SLAB LENGTHS

Approach slab lengths and depths are related to the abutment height. The recommended
reinforcement (which should always be placed perpendicular to the supported edge) is also given
for the sake of uniformity :Abutment

Approach Slab

Recommended reinforcement for slab

Height

Length

Depth

Under 1.5m fill

Under 2.5m fill

Under 3.0m fill

4m - 8m

3m

300mm

Y16 @ 200 c/c

Y20 @ 250 c/c

Y20 @ 200 c/c

8m - 11m

4m

350mm

Y20 @ 250 c/c

Y25 @ 250 c/c

Y25 @ 250 c/c

11m +

5m

400mm

Y25 @ 250 c/c

Y25 @ 200 c/c

Y25 @ 175 c/c

Structure
MESH REINFORCEMENT

DRAWING AIDS

Structure
MINIMUM HOOKS AND BENDS
Mild Steel Bars

DRAWING AIDS

Structure
High Yield Stress Bars

DRAWING AIDS

Structure
BAR SHAPES AND CUTTING LENGTHS

DRAWING AIDS

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DRAWING AIDS

Structure

DRAWING AIDS