Estimating:

Rebar Works

John Troy S. Borromeo, RCE, MSCM

Subject Instructor
 Introduction
Reinforcing bars (rebar) are incorporated in
concrete and other masonry members primarily to
prevent cracking when tension, compression and other
forces or loads exceeding the strength of the latter
without steel reinforcements are applied.
 Definition of Terms
Round bar – may be plain or deformed, the ones popularly employed in
reinforced concrete construction.

Deformed steel bar – also known as rebar or reinforcement bar. It has lugs
on their surface to provide increased bond between concrete and steel to
prevent slippage. It is an excellent partner of concrete in resisting both
tension and compression stresses.

Temperature bar – it is added to the reinforcements when concrete is liable

to develop cracks – not so much from loads but from temperature changes.

Stirrup – is reinforcement used to resist shear and torsion stresses in a

structural member; typically bars, wires, or welded wire fabric (plain or
deformed). This term is usually applied to lateral reinforcement in flexural
members (beam and girder).
 Definition of Terms
Tie – is a loop of reinforcing bar or wire enclosing longitudinal reinforcement.
This term is usually applied to those in compression members (column).

Concrete cover – is the distance between the outermost surface of

embedded reinforcement and the closest outer surface of the concrete
indicated on design drawings or in project specifications.

Lap splice – is when two pieces of reinforcing bar (rebar) are overlapped to
create a continuous line of rebar. The length of the lap varies depend on
concrete strength, the rebar grade, size, and spacing.
 Definition of Terms
Development length – is the shortest length of bar in which the bar stress
can increase from zero to the yield strength.

Hook – a 90o, 180o, or 135o hook at the end of a rebar made in accordance
with a standard.

Anchorage length - is the equivalent length of the reinforcement bar which

is considered to be available when a straight bar is bent through some
angle.

Web Bar

Tie bar
 Definition of Terms
Rebar spacer – also known as spacer block, is a device that secures the
rebar in reinforced concrete structures as the rebar is assembled in place
prior to the final concrete pour. The spacers are left in place for the pour to
keep the reinforcing in place, and become a permanent part of the structure.

Rebar chair – or chair bar, is a device that secures the rebars to maintain its
concrete cover.
Footing
Column and Footing
Column and Footing
Column, Footing & Tie Beam
Beams/Girders
Rebar Spacer at the Bottom
Rebar Spacer at the Bottom
Rebar Spacer at the Beam Side
Rebar Spacer at the Column Side
Rebar Spacer in Precast
Rebar Spacer in Slab
Rebar Chair in Footing
 Guide for Bending/Cutting of
Rebars Based on Bar Diameter
 Rebar Size Chart
Bar Size Nominal Nominal
English Metric Area, mm2 Mass, kg/m
#3 10 79 0.616
#4 12 113 0.888
#5 16 201 1.579
#6 20 314 2.466
#8 25 491 3.854
#9 28 616 4.833
#10 32 804 6.313
#11 36 1019 7.991
 Minimum Concrete Cover
(Cast-in-Place Concrete)
Concrete cover for reinforcement shall not be less than the following:
1. Concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth – 75 mm
2. Concrete exposed to earth or weather:
20 mm Ø bar through 36 mm Ø – 50 mm
16 mm Ø bar and smaller – 40 mm
3. Concrete not exposed to weather or in contact with ground:
a. Slabs, walls, joists:
42 mm Ø and 58 mm Ø bars – 40 mm
36 mm Ø bars and smaller – 20 mm
b. Beams, columns:
Primary reinforcement, ties, stirrups, spirals – 40 mm
 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing
 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing

(a) Square Footing

 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing

(b) Rectangular Footing

 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing

(b) Continuous Footing

 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing

Sample Arrangements of Rebars in Concrete Footings

 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing
Estimating the full-length bars required for the reinforcements of
square and rectangular footings (column footing)

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔

𝑵=
𝑭𝒕𝒈. 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓
where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier, namely:
(6m, 7.5m, 9m, 10.5m, 12m, 13.5m, 15m). But 6m, 13.5m, and 15m are
special cut size that can only be availed in bulk orders.
Note:
Two computations is needed in rectangular footing because of two different length of footing
bars.
Example:
 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing
Estimating the full-length bars required for the longitudinal and
transverse reinforcements of continuous footings (CHB/wall footing)

Estimating the Longitudinal Bars

𝑳𝑻 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔

𝑵= 𝒙 𝟏. 𝟐
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓
where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
𝐿𝑇 = total length of all wall footings
Note:
Multiplying the initial result of the calculation by 1.2 as shown, adds 20% as margin for bar
splicing, hooks or bend, and for wastage.
Example:
Example:

All column to column connections have roof beams.

Distance from F.F.L. to top of RB is 3.2 m.
 Estimating Rebar Works
Spread & Continuous Footing
Estimating the full-length bars required for the longitudinal and
transverse reinforcements of continuous footings (CHB/wall footing)

Estimating the Transverse Bars

𝑳𝑻 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
𝑵=
𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓
where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
𝐿𝑇 = total length of all wall footings
Note:
Transverse bar length to be used is the width of CHB/wall footing.
Example:
Example:

All column to column connections have roof beams.

Distance from F.F.L. to top of RB is 3.2 m.
 Estimating Rebar Works
Slab-on-fill
Estimating the full-length bars required for the slab-on-fill

𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑳𝒃
𝑵= 𝒙𝟏. 𝟏
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓
where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐿𝑏 = length of bar
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
Note:
Two computations is needed in rectangular slab-on-fill because of two different length of
rebars.
Example:
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam

Details of a One-Span Concrete Beam with 4 Rebars

 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam

Details of a One-Span Concrete Beam with 4 Rebars

Details of a Three-Span Concrete Beam with More Than 4 Rebars at Supports and Midspan
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam

Details of a Sample Concrete-Beam Connection

 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam

Details of a Sample Concrete-Beam Connection

 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam
Estimating the full-length bars required for the main bars of columns
and beams

𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒏𝒔/𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉

𝑵= 𝒙 𝟏. 𝟏
𝑳𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓

where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
Bar straight length = see table for formula for calculating the straight length
according to main bar diameter

Note:
Multiplying the initial result of the calculation by 1.1 as shown, adds 10% as margin for bar
splicing and wastage.
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam
Size/Diameter
Formulas for Calculating the Straight Length of Main Bar
of Main Bar
12mm (1/2”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 0.40m
16mm (5/8”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 0.55m
20mm (3/4”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 0.70m
25mm (1”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 0.85m
28mm (1-1/8”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 1.00m
32mm (1-1/4”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 1.15m
36mm (1-3/8”) Bar Straight Length = Column/Beam Overall Length + 1.30m
Note:
Overall length:
From exterior to exterior faces of columns for beam
From bottom of footing to top of roof beam for columns.
Example:
Example:
Example:

All column to column connections have roof beams.

Distance from F.F.L. to top of RB is 3.2 m.
 Estimating Rebar Works
Short Bars for Beam
Estimating the full-length bars required for the short bars of beams
𝑳𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓
𝒏=
𝑳𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒓

𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔

𝑵=
𝒏
where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
𝑛 = number of short bars per F/L bar
Note:
Round down the calculated value of 𝑛 to the nearest whole number to get the quantity of short
bar that can be cut from a F/L bar.
Estimating Rebar Works
Short Bars for Beam
 Estimating Rebar Works
Main Bars for Column & Beam
Size/Diameter Formulas for Calculating the Short Bars
of Main Bar over the End Supports
12mm (1/2”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.20m
16mm (5/8”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.25m
20mm (3/4”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.35m
25mm (1”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.40m
28mm (1-1/8”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.50m
32mm (1-1/4”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.60m
36mm (1-3/8”) Short Bar Length = Column Width + 𝐿Τ4 + 0.70m
where:
𝐿 = clear distance between supports
Example:
Example:
 Estimating Rebar Works
Ties & Stirrups for Column/Beam
Estimating the full-length bars required for the ties/stirrups of
columns/beams

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔/𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒔

𝑵=
𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔Τ𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓

where:
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝐹 Τ𝐿 = full-length of rebar that can be purchased from the supplier
Note:
Round down the calculated value of number of ties/stirrups per F/L bar to the nearest whole
number to get the quantity. In the column and beam connection, always choose the largest height
of beam to be deducted to get the clear distance from top of column footing to the bottom of beam
and use spacing of 100 mm O.C in the column to beam connections.
Estimating Rebar Works
Other Ties for Column
 Estimating Rebar Works
Ties & Stirrups for Column/Beam
Ties & Stirrups Hook Length to be Used
Estimating Rebar Works
Sample Ties for Column
Example:
Example:
 Estimating Rebar Works
CHB Wall
Horizontal Bars
𝑵Τ𝑯𝒘
𝒏𝒉 =
𝑺Τ𝑯𝒃

𝒏𝒉 𝑶Τ𝑳𝒘
𝑵= 𝒙 𝟏. 𝟏
𝑳𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓

where:
𝑛ℎ = number of horizontal bars required (round up the value)
𝑁Τ𝐻𝑤 = net height of wall
𝑆Τ𝐻𝑏 = spacing of horizontal bars
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝑂Τ𝐿𝑤 = overall length of wall
 Estimating Rebar Works
CHB Wall
Vertical Bars
𝑵 Τ𝑳𝒘
𝒏𝒗 =
𝑺Τ𝑽𝒃

𝒏𝒗 𝑶Τ𝑯𝒘
𝑵= 𝒙 𝟏. 𝟐
𝑳𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑭Τ𝑳 𝒃𝒂𝒓

where:
𝑛𝑣 = number of vertical bars required (round up the value)
𝑁Τ𝐿𝑤 = net length of wall
𝑆Τ𝑉𝑏 = spacing of vertical bars
𝑁 = number of F/L bars required (round up the value)
𝑂Τ𝐻𝑤 = overall height of wall
Example:
Example:
Example:

All column to column connections have roof beams.

Distance from F.F.L. to top of RB is 3.2 m.
 References:
• Tagayun, V.A. (2002), Estimating Bill of Materials. Sta. Mesa, Manila:
Tagayun Associates