7.0.

ESTIMATING CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT

So reinforcing bars are vital components of a concrete structure. One requirement

before the construction kicks in is to submit a detailed list of reinforcement. There are
structural parts whereby it is easy to determine the number of rebars needed or its
equivalent weight; however, there are many members requiring direct count method -
which is more tedious but better detailed.

The main structural members where detailed estimates of reinforcement is required are:

1. Footings
2. Columns and posts
3. Beams and girders
4. CHB walls
5. Slab - one way and two way

7.1. STANDARD WEIGHT OF PLAIN OR DEFORMED ROUND STEEL BARS IN KG

DIAMETER 5.0m 6.0m 7.5m 9.0m 10.5m 12.0m 13.5m

kg kg kg kg kg kg kg

8mm 1.98 2.37 2.96 3.56 4.15 4.74 5.33

10mm 3.08 3.7 4.62 5.544 6.47 7.39 8.32

12mm 4.44 5.33 6.66 7.992 9.32 10.66 11.99

13mm 5.21 6.25 7.83 9.38 10.94 12.5 14.07

16mm 7.9 9.47 11.84 14.21 16.58 18.95 21.32

20mm 12.33 14.8 18.5 22.19 25.89 29.59 33.29

25mm 19.27 23.12 28.9 34.68 40.46 46.24 52.02

28mm 24.17 29 36.25 43.5 50.75 58 65.25

30mm 27.75 33.29 41.62 49.94 58.26 66.59 74.91

32mm 31.57 37.88 47.35 56.82 66.29 75.76 85.23

36mm 39.96 47.95 59.93 71.92 83.91 95.89 107.88

7.2. BAR SPLICE, HOOK AND BEND

a. SPLICE LENGTH:
In steelwork estimating, splicing, hooks, and bends should be accounted for.

Example 7.2.1. Determining Splice Lengths

EXAMPLE 7.2.1. DETERMINING SPLICE LENGTHS

Determine the length of the splice joint for a 16mm steel bars if they are used as:
   a. Tensile reinforcement of a beam
   b. Compressive reinforcement of a beam

a. Used as tensile reinforcement:

        

b. Used as a compressive reinforcement:

                

b. HOOK LENGTH

Hooks are often placed with lateral ties or stirrups to hold the shape of the ties.  Usually,
hook length (for one side) is nine times the diameter of the rebar.

          

c. BEND LENGTH

Bends are often placed with bigger diameter bars as it is hard to make hooks on them. 
Bends are considered to anchor a member to another, such as column to a footing.
Bend length is considered as sixteen times the bar diameter. In other cases, bends are
taken from plans' specifications.

     

d. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH
This length is required of the bar to transfer the stress it is carrying into the concrete.
Most often development length is computed as:

          
7.3. REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

There are parts of reinforcement that an estimator should be familiar with:

a. CHB WALLS

 Vertical reinforcement
 Horizontal reinforcement
b.  FOOTING REINFORCEMENTS
 Footing slab reinforcement for small and medium size
 Beam reinforcement for large foundations
 Dowels
c. POST AND COLUMN REINFORCEMENTS
 Main vertical reinforcement
 Lateral ties
1. Outer ties
2. Inner ties
3. Straight ties
 Spiral ties
d. BEAM AND GIRDER REINFORCEMENTS
 Main reinforcement
1. Straight bars
2. Bend bars
 Stirrups
1. Open stirrups
2. Closed stirrups
 Cut Bars
1. Over and across the support
2. Between supports
3. Dowels

e. FLOOR SLAB REINFORCEMENT

 Main reinforcement
1. Straight main reinforcing bars
2. Main alternate reinforcing bend bars
 Temperature bars
 Cut additional alternate bars over support (beam)
 Dowels        

7.4. PROCEDURE OF ESTIMATING CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT

 Columns, beams, girders, and the like are best determined using direct counting.
  For lateral ties, stirrups, spirals, dowels, cut bars, and the like, estimation should
be done one at a time. The length of bars should include the additional length of
bends and hooks.
 After determining the length of lateral ties, stirrups and the similar
reinforcements, select the commercial size yielding the least wastage.
 Tie wire for reinforcement joints and intersections should be done to the
minimum required length based from the diameter of the bars to be tied with.

7.5. REINFORCEMENT OF CHB WALLS

Specifications for the reinforcement of CHB walls are usually written on the plan and
specifications. The different ways to estimate them are as follows:

1. By direct counting method. Vertical and horizontal wall reinforcements are

directly counted from the plans. Length includes hooks, bends or splices.
2. By the unit block method. 
3. By the area method. Estimation of wall reinforcements with the help of a table.
The presented values include allowances for bends, hooks and splices.

VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT

SPACING LENGTH OF BARS LENGTH OF BARS

PER BLOCK PER SQ.M.

cm. m. m.

40 0.235 2.930

60 0.171 2.130

80 0.128 1.600

HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENT

SPACING LENGTH OF BARS LENGTH OF BARS

LAYERS PER BLOCK PER SQ.M.

m. m.

2 0.264 3.30
SPACING LENGTH OF BARS LENGTH OF BARS
3 0.172 2.15

4 0.138 1.72

Example 7.5.1. Estimating CHB Wall Reinforcement

EXAMPLE 7.5.1. ESTIMATING CHB WALL REINFORCEMENT

Determine the 10mm vertical and horizontal reinforcement fr the CHB wall 4.0m
length and 3.0m high. Reinforcement is spaced at 80cm on centers vertically and
every three layers respectively.

a. Direct counting:

For horizontal reinforcement: Horizontal reinforcement is every three layers of CHB

height as 0.20m, thus total height of each layer is 0.60m.

          

        
          
    
So, for horizontal reinforcement: 5 layers of 4.00m D10mm rebars.

For vertical reinforcement:

       

          

So, for vertical reinforcement: 5 layers of 3.00 D10 rebars.

To convert the needed steel bars in commercial sizes, the least wastage is by using
7.5m lengths cut into 4m and 3m (wastage: 0.50m each bar).

So, use:     5pcs D10mm x 7.50m RSB

b. Square Meter Method or Area Method:

      
For vertical reinforcement, using the table:

SPACING LENGTH OF BARS LENGTH OF BARS

PER BLOCK PER SQ.M.

cm. m. m.

40 0.235 2.930

60 0.171 2.130

80 0.128 1.600

Convert into commercial lengths:  4pcs D10mm x 5.00m

For horizontal reinforcement, using the table:

SPACING LENGTH OF BARS LENGTH OF BARS

LAYERS PER BLOCK PER SQ.M.

m. m.

2 0.264 3.30

3 0.172 2.15

4 0.138 1.72

This can be converted to:      4pcs D10mm x 5.00m

                                           1pc  D10mm x 6.00m

In summary, order:               8pcs D10mm x 5.00m RSB

                                           1pc  D10mm x 6.00m  RSB

c. Unit Block Method. This method requires the number of CHB.

    

From the table above:

Vertical reinforcement:

                

Convert into commercial lengths:  4pcs D10mm x 5.00m

Horizontal reinforcement:

                      

This can be converted to:      4pcs D10mm x 5.00m

                                           1pc  D10mm x 6.00m

In summary, order:               8pcs D10mm x 5.00m RSB

                                           1pc  D10mm x 6.00m  RSB

Note: The results of the two last methods yield the total number of bars needed. The
estimator would have no means of knowing the lengths of bars to be installed vertically
and horizontally. Bar scheduling with these methods would be hard to identify.

7.6. TIE WIRE FOR STEEL REINFORCEMENT

No. 16 galvanized iron wire (#16 GI Tie Wire) is used to secure reinforcements in place
for concrete pouring. Ordering tie wire does not come per length but per kilograms or
roll. One roll is 45 kilograms which can be converted to 2285 meters. Thus making 53
meters per kilogram.

The length of each tie wire ranges from 20 cm to 40 cm for small and medium size steel
bars. For 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, or 16mm rebars, tie wire length should be 25cm or
30cm (max), folded at the center.

KILOGRAM PER NUMBER OF CHB

VERTICAL HORIZONTAL TIES TIES
SPACING SPACING 25cm 30cm

cm layer kg kg

40 2 0.0042 0.0051

40 3 0.0031 0.0038

40 4 0.0028 0.0033

60 2 0.0028 0.0034

60 3 0.0021 0.0025

60 4 0.0018 0.0022

80 2 0.0021 0.0025

80 3 0.0016 0.0019

80 4 0.0014 0.0017

Example 7.6.1. Estimating Tie Wire for CHB Reinforcement

EXAMPLE 7.6.1. ESTIMATING TIE WIRE FOR CHB REINFORCEMENT

From the previous example of a 4.0m x 3.0m wall, estimate the tie wire required in
kilograms.

From the previous example: 

      Vertical reinforcement spacing: 80cm

      Horizontal reinforcement spacing: at every 3 layers

Tie wire estimation can be done in two ways:

a. Direct count. identify the number of intersections created with the vertical and
horizontal reinforcements.

   From previous results: 5 horizontal layers of 4m

                                     5 vertical layers of 3m

      
Because CHB reinforcement only uses D10mm rebars, the applicable length of tie wire
needed is 25cm.

b. Block method. Using a table, determine the weight of tie wire needed.

  

   Use the table with 25cm tie wire:

  

7.7. INDEPENDENT FOOTING REINFORCEMENT

Procedure for estimating footing reinforcement is as follows:

1. Know the actual size of the footing - it's width and length.
2. Identify the bar size and the number from the plans.
3. Always keep in mind that clear cover of reinforcements, when exposed to soil, is
3 inches or 75mm.
4. If the pan does not call for a hook or bend of the reinforcement, the length of the
bar is equal to the length of the width less the concrete cover at both ends.
5. If not specified in the plans, better to identify the spacing of bars in the footing to
determine the exact number of bars needed.

Example7.7.1. Estimating Isolated Footing Reinforcement

EXAMPLE 7.7.1. ESTIMATING ISOLATED FOOTING

REINFORCEMENT
Estimate the reinforcement required for the 1.50m square footing shown.
Reinforcement used is D12mm steel bars. Determine the tie wire needed.
 credits to The Constructor

The configuration of the rebars is shown from the plan. There is no need for any hook
or bend on the rebars. This means that the length of the bars only includes the size of
the column less the clear cover.

              

From plans, number of bars can be determined. (Specification is usually the number of
bars used both ways, or the spacing between bars)

                

Thus, rebars required:

                24pcs D12mm RSB at 1.35m

It is the estimator's discretion on which commercial length these bars are to be taken
from. Note the remaining length if they can still be used in the construction for other
purposes.

#16 GI Tie Wire:

       

  

Example 7.7.2. Estimating Isolated Footing Reinforcement of a Small Structure

EXAMPLE 7.7.2. ESTIMATING ISOLATED FOOTING

REINFORCEMENT OF A SMALL STRUCTURE
Estimate the rebars and the tie wire for 8 footings specified as shown.
From the plans, we can count the number of rebars used (D12mm). For isolated
footing, bars are usually placed both ways, hence, the number of bars laid horizontally
is the same number laid vertically. For the length of the bars, specification already
shows the clear length and hooks' length.
     
            
       

Thus:  

       

Commercial lengths can be exactly divided by 1.50, so it's the estimator's discretion on
which commercial length the rebars be converted.

#16 GI Tie Wire:

          

D12mm rebars can be tied using 25cm wire.

            

7.8.  POST AND COLUMN REINFORCEMENT

Estimates of posts and columns include:

1. The main or vertical reinforcement

2. Lateral ties
3. Spiral ties or circular column ties

MAIN REINFORCEMENT:

Estimate the main reinforcement of columns using the direct count method with the
following lengths to note:

1. Floor to floor height. Most plans show height of floors based on floor to

floor distances. If otherwise specified, then add the thickness of the
beam included.
2. Depth of footing from the ground floor. Column height is usually
measured from the bottom of the footing to the ground floor.
3. Development length of column to footing. Development length is
usually 10 times the bar diameter of the column.
4. End splices. Splicing of reinforcement should be done in staggered
mode - meaning, the lengths of bars used should not be the same. The
ideal distribution is 33% but bar scheduling using 33% will be difficult.
Most designers use 50%. Splicing points should be locations of
minimal moment, that is, the last quarter of a span.

LATERAL TIES:

For the length of the ties, determine the concrete cover used. For columns, concrete
cover ranges from 25mm to 40mm. Most designers use 25mm. Hooks for ties are taken
as 2 inches each end.

The length of lateral ties can be computed as:

 credits to Engineering Feed

The number of lateral ties required is estimated by direct count. 

Example 7.8.1. Estimating Column Reinforcement (Low-rise)
Example 7.8.2. Estimating Column Reinforcement (High-rise)
Example 7.8.3. Estimating Multiple Lateral Ties

7.9. BEAMS AND GIRDERS REINFORCEMENT

Estimating the reinforcement for beams and girders is similar but a bit more complicated
with estimating columns.

The main reinforcements are estimated similarly as with columns. But beams can have
cut bars, which makes the difference. As per design, there could be different
configurations between the top bars with the bottom bars in beams. Splicing is of beam
reinforcement is located on the compression side.
Extra bars can be cut or bent. Any of these are done based on economic reasons. The
lengths of cut bars is based on the tension-compression functionality of the bar.

credits to Reinforcement Detailing

Example 7.9.1. Estimating a simple Beam Reinforcement

Example 7.9.2. Estimating a Continuous Beam Reinforcement
Example 7.9.3. Estimating a Continuous Beam Reinforcement-II
7.10. SPIRAL AND COLUMN TIES

There are three considerations in the installation of spirals:

1. The center to center spacing of the spiral should not exceed 1/6 of the
diameter core.
2. The clear spacing between spirals is within the range 5.0cm to 7.5cm.
3. The clear spacing between spirals should be less than 1.5 times of the
gravel.

NUMBER OF SPIRAL REINFORCING BARS PER METER HEIGHT

*Values given includes the end lap or splice allowance.

COLUMN PITCH NO. OF TURN NUMBER OF STEEL BARS FROM

PER METER
DIAMETER
HT

cm cm 6.00m. 9.00m. 12.00m.

30.0 5.00 21.0 2.604 1.706 1.269

30.0 6.25 17.0 2.108 1.381 1.027

30.0 7.50 14.3 1.778 1.165 0.866

32.5 5.00 21.0 2.894 1.896 1.410

32.5 6.25 17.0 2.342 1.535 1.141

32.5 7.50 14.3 1.975 1.294 0.962

35.0 5.00 21.0 3.183 2.085 1.55

35.0 6.25 17.0 2.577 1.688 1.255

35.0 7.50 14.3 2.172 1.423 1.058

37.5 5.00 21.0 3.472 2.275 1.692

37.5 6.25 17.0 2.811 1.842 1.393

37.5 7.50 14.3 2.370 1.524 1.154

40.0 5.00 21.0 3.762 2.465 1.833

40.0 6.25 17.0 3.045 1.995 1.484

 COLUMN PITCH NO. OF TURN NUMBER OF STEEL BARS FROM
40.0 7.50 14.3 2.567 1.682 1.251

42.5 5.00 21.0 4.051 2.654 1.974

42.5 6.25 17.0 3.281 2.149 1.598

42.5 7.50 14.3 2.765 1.812 1.347

45.0 5.00 21.0 4.340 2.844 2.115

45.0 6.25 17.0 3.513 2.302 1.712

45.0 7.50 14.3 2.962 1.940 1.443

47.5 5.00 21.0 4.630 3.033 2.256

47.5 6.25 17.0 3.748 2.455 1.826

47.5 7.50 14.3 3.159 2.070 1.539

50.0 5.00 21.0 4.919 3.223 2.397

50.0 6.25 17.0 3.982 2.609 1.940

50.0 7.50 14.3 3.357 2.199 1.635

55.0 5.00 21.0 5.498 3.602 2.678

55.0 6.25 17.0 4.451 2.916 2.168

55.0 7.50 14.3 3.752 2.458 1.828

60.0 5.00 21.0 6.077 3.981 2.96

60.0 6.25 17.0 4.919 3.223 2.396

60.0 7.50 14.3 4.146 2.717 2.02

70.0 5.00 21.0 7.234 4.740 3.524

70.0 6.25 17.0 5.856 3.837 2.853

70.0 7.50 14.3 4.936 3.234 2.405

80.0 5.00 21.0 8.391 5.498 4.088

80.0 6.25 17.0 6.793 4.451 3.31

80.0 7.50 14.3 5.726 3.752 2.790

 COLUMN PITCH NO. OF TURN NUMBER OF STEEL BARS FROM
90.0 5.00 21.0 9.549 6.256 4.652

90.0 6.25 17.0 7.730 5.064 3.766

90.0 7.50 14.3 6.366 4.171 3.101

100.0 5.00 21.0 10.706 7.014 5.216

100.0 6.25 17.0 8.667 5.678 4.222

100.0 7.50 14.3 7.137 4.676 3.477

Example 7.10.1. Estimate the spiral Reinforcement

7.11. REINFORCEMENT FOR ONE WAY CONCRETE SLAB

A slab will be designed as one-way when one side is less than half the other.

For one way slab, the only functional beams carrying the load are the long span. In this
case side B. With the moment imposed on the long span beams, main
reinforcement will also be along this span. The rebars placed along the shorter span is
only to avoid shrinking of concrete or to avoid cracks. These bars are
called temperature bars (distribution bars, straight bars).

Similar to the configuration of a beam, the main reinforcement will be placed in tension
areas. That is, the upper portion of the slab on both ends, and the bottom portion in the
middle part.
TABLE FOR AREA METHOD: ONE WAY SLAB

BAR OF BARS
NUMBER SQUARE METER TIE WIRE LENGTH
SPACING STEEL PER
5.0m 6.0m 7.50m 9.0m 12.0m 25cm 30cm

10.0 4.493 3.667 2.856 2.320 1.834 0.242 0.291

12.5 3.911 3.186 2.483 2.015 1.593 0.197 0.236

15.0 3.524 2.866 2.234 1.812 1.433 0.163 0.195

17.5 3.247 2.637 2.056 1.667 1.319 0.141 0.169

20.0 3.039 2.465 1.192 1.558 1.233 0.126 0.152

22.5 2.878 2.332 1.819 1.473 1.166 0.111 0.133

25.0 2.749 2.225 1.737 1.405 1.113 0.101 0.121

27.5 2.643 2.138 1.669 1.350 1.069 0.091 0.109

30.0 2.554 2.065 1.612 1.304 1.033 0.086 0.103

Example 7.11.1. Estimating A One-Way Slab Reinforcement

7.12. REINFORCEMENT OF TWO-WAY SLAB

For two-way slab, all the surrounding beams carry load and are to be designed with
main reinforcement. The temperature bars are placed under the slab on the sides of the
slab with a quarter of the length. Estimation of bars is similar with one way slab main
reinforcement. 

TABLE FOR AREA METHOD: TWO-WAY SLAB

BAR OF BARS
NUMBER SQUARE METER TIE WIRE LENGTH
SPACING STEEL PER
5.0m 6.0m 7.50m 9.0m 12.0m 25cm 30cm

cm kg kg

10.0 4.953 3.995 3.05 3.047 2.000 0.364 0.437

12.5 4.409 3.549 2.703 2.734 1.775 0.279 0.335

15.0 4.047 3.252 2.471 2.524 1.626 0.238 0.286

17.5 3.788 3.039 2.306 2.377 1.520 0.208 0.25

20.0 3.594 2.88 2.182 2.266 1.440 0.185 0.222

22.5 3.443 2.756 2.085 2.179 1.378 0.168 0.202

25.0 3.322 2.656 2.008 2.109 1.328 0.156 0.187

27.5 3.223 2.575 1.945 2.053 1.288 0.146 0.175

30.0 3.141 2.507 1.892 2.005 1.254 0.138 0.165

Example 7.12.1. Estimating Reinforcement of Two-way Slab

7.13. CONCRETE PIPE REINFORCEMENT

Concrete pipes also need longitudinal reinforcement and hoops.

Example 7.13.1. Estimating Reinforcement of a Concrete Pipe