Size and Quantity of Reinforcement for Building Works

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Different size and quantity of reinforcement is required for different concrete members in buildings. Quantity of reinforcement per cubic meter and its suitable sizes for different reinforced concrete construction is discussed. Reinforcement is required for reinforced concrete members such as footings, beams, columns, slabs, lintels etc. Estimation of reinforcement quantity is required prior to tendering stage to calculate approximate cost of project or construction work.

Size and Quantity of Reinforcement for Building Works

Following table gives the estimated quantities of reinforcement and its size generally used for various building works:

Sl. No	RCC Member	Quantity in kg/m3	Size of reinforcement required
1	Column footings	75	10mm or 12mm
2	Grade beams	100	12mm, 16mm – 85% Stirrups – 6mm or 8mm– 15%
3	Plinth beams	125	8mm diameter – 85%, Stirrups 6mm – 15%
4	Columns	225	16mm, 20mm and 25mm – 90% Ties – 6mm or 8mm – 10%
5	Lintel beam	125	12mm, 16mm dia – 85% Stirrups – 6 mm or 8mm – 15%
6	Sunshades	60	8mm dia – 75% Distributer – 6mm – 25%
7	Canopy slab upto 2.0 m span	125	10mm dia – 80% Distributor bars – 6mm or 8mm – 20%
8	Staircase waist slab	150	12 or 16mm dia – 80% Distributor 8mm dia – 15%
9	Roof slab
	(a) One way slab	80	8mm dia – 70% Distributor – 6mm – 30%
	(b) Two way slab	100	8mm dia – 100%
	(c) Square slab – 4m to 6m size	150	10 – 12mm dia – 100%
10	Main beams above 6m	250	20mm, 16mm, 12mm – 80 – 85% Stirrups – 8mm – 15 – 20%

All above mentioned steel are round tapered steel. This data is just for estimation of quantity of steel for various RCC works. This does not provide actual steel required for all the members. Actual quantity of steel required can be calculated from the drawings prepared after structural design. Read more articles on Reinforcement Guide and Material Estimation Guide