VI.

Quantity Takeoff (QTO) for Building Construction

4. Estimating Quantity of Materials for Reinforcing Steel Works

• Understanding Reinforcing Steel Materials
Reinforcing Bars (Rebars): Available in various sizes (e.g., 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm diameter) and grades
(G33, G40, G50, G60).
Binding Wire: Used to tie the reinforcement bars in position.

• Identification of Steel Bars

Visual Inspection
Shape and Surface Texture: Smooth bars (MS) versus ribbed bars (TMT/HYSD).
Color and Coating: Stainless steel has a shiny, corrosion-resistant appearance, while coated bars may have
epoxy or galvanized coatings.

• Estimation of Reinforcement for Columns

Steps to Calculate Rebar Requirement:
- Identify column size and reinforcement details from structural drawings.
- Determine the number of vertical bars and their lengths.
- Calculate ties spacing and the number of ties needed.
- Include lap lengths and allowances for bending.
The table shown below is the formula on how to compute splice lengths (From Simplified Construction Estimate by
Fajardo)
Example Calculation from the figure shown above:
Column size: 300mm x 300mm, height: 3.5m storey height at 2 storey building
Column Bars: 6 vertical bars at 16mm dia.
Ties: 10mm dia. Spaced: 0.30m
Concrete Cover: 40mm
Solution:
Column Bars: Total length of 1 bar = 2(storey) × 3.5m + (splice length) =
= 2(3.5) + (20 x 0.016m + 0.15m) = 7.47m
Total Length of Bars = 7.47m x 6 (vertical bars) = 44.82m
Using 6m long commercial length of bars:
No. of 20mm (6m length) = 44.82m / 6m = 7.47pcs or 8 pcs – 16mm dia.

Column Ties:
Compute Perimeter Length: 0.3m (column width) – concrete cover on both sides + hook length
Note: Hook Length = 9d, Based from the (ACI (American Concrete Institute)
Where; 9 is constant
d is diameter of steel bar

Perimeter Length of one Tie = 0.30m – (0.04 x 2) + (9 x 0.016m) = 0.364m

No. of Ties = (2 x 3.5) / 0.30m = 23.33 pcs or 24 pcs
Total Length of Ties = 24pcs x 0.364m = 8.736m
Using 6m long commercial length of bars:
No. of 10mm (6m length) = 8.736m / 6m = 1.456 pcs or 2 pcs – 10mm dia.

• Estimation of Reinforcement for Beams

Steps to Calculate Rebar Requirement:
- Determine beam dimensions and reinforcement layout.
- Identify top and bottom bars and their respective lengths.
- Calculate the number and length of stirrups.
 Beam Sections

MIDDLE
END SUPPORT SUPPORT END SUPPORT

MID SPAN MID SPAN

Beam Framing Plan

Beam Cut Bar Detail

Problem: Compute the number of bars, considering B1 only in the plan with a length of 8m.
Given:
Beam size: 300mm x 400mm, span: 4m
5 top and 2 bottom bars of 20mm dia.
Stirrups: 10mm dia.
Concrete cover: 40mm
Solution:
Main Bars: Top Bars = Straight Length + Splice Length + Anchorage Length
= 8m + ((20 x 0.02m) + 0.15m) + (40 x 0.02)
= 8.86m x 2(top bars)
= 17.72m
Bottom Bars = 8m + (25 x 0.02) + 0.15m + (40 x 0.02)
= 9.45m x 2(bottom bars)
= 18.9m
Cut Bars: At End Support = (L/4) + Bend Length + Anchorage Length
= (4/4) + (0.38 x 0.02) + (40 x 0.02)
= 1.8m x 2(both ends) = 3.6m x 3(cut bars)
= 10.8m
At Middle Support = (L/4 x 2) + Bend Length
= (4/4 x 2) + (0.38 x 0.02 x 2) = 1.015m x 1(middle support) x 3(cut bars)
= 3.045m
At Mid Span = (L/2) + Bend Length
= (4/2) + (0.38 x 0.02 x 2) = 2.015m x 2(middle span) x 3(cut bars)
= 12.09m

TOTAL LENGTH OF BARS IN (B1) = 17.72m + 18.9m + 10.8m + 3.045m + 12.09m

= 62.56m
Using 6m long commercial length of bars, compute the number of pcs:
No. of 20mm dia. Bars @ 6m long = 10.42 pcs or 11 pcs

STIRRUPS: Compute the number of 10mm dia. Stirrups

Calculate the Stirrup Perimeter
For a rectangular stirrup:
L=2 × (B+H) + bend lengths + hooks
where:
B = Internal Width = Width of Beam – Concrete Cover
H = Internal Depth = Depth of Beam – Concrete Cover

Account for Bends and Hooks

• Bends (Standard Code Provisions)

o 90° Bend: Extra length = 2d
o 135° Bend: Extra length = 3d
o 180° Bend: Extra length = 4d
• Hooks (as per IS 2502, ACI, or Eurocode)
o Hook length = 9d (for seismic zones, it may be 10d)

Stirrup Length Formula

For a rectangular stirrup:
𝐿stirrups = 2(B+H) + Hook Lengths + Bend Lengths
B = b – Concrete Cover = (0.30) – (2 x 0.04)
= 0.22m
H = h – Concrete Cover = (0.4) – (2 x - 0.04)
= 0.32m
𝐿stirrups = 2(0.22 + 0.32) + (9 x 0.02) + (2 x 0.02)
𝐿stirrups = 1.30m – Length of 1-stirrups
 Determine the number of stirrups:
Spacing of Stirrups:
No. of Stirrups Spacing Bothends
5 at 50mm 10
3 at 75mm 6
2 at 100mm 4
2.65 Rest at 150mm

18 at 150mm 18
Total No. of Stirrups ….. 38

Total Number of Stirrups = 38 pcs at 1.30m Length

Total Length = 38 x (2span) x 1.30m
= 97.93m
Using 6m long, 10mm dia. Bars:
Number of Bars = 97.93 / 6 = 16.32 pcs or 17 pcs – 10mm dia. X 6m long Bars

• Estimation of Reinforcement for Slabs

Type of Slab Reinforcements:

o One-Way Slab Reinforcement
Used when Lx/Ly ≥ 2 (length-to-breadth ratio is 2 or more), meaning it primarily spans in one direction.

Reinforcement:
Main Reinforcement (longitudinal bars) in the shorter span (Ly).
Distribution Bars (secondary reinforcement) in the longer span (Lx).
Provided at the bottom for positive bending moments.
Minimum reinforcement ratio: 0.12% of slab cross-section (for mild steel), 0.15% for deformed bars (as per
IS 456:2000).

Sample detail of One-way Slab Reinforcement

The table 3-8 from Simplified Construction Estimate by Fajardo shows the derived quantity of steel bars in a one-way slab
reinforcement.

o Two-Way Slab Reinforcement

Used when Lx/Ly < 2, meaning the load is carried in both directions.
Reinforcement:
Main Reinforcement in both directions (X and Y).
Cranked Bars (Bent-up Bars) at supports to resist negative bending moments.
Extra Reinforcement at column strips or middle strips based on moment distribution.
 Sample Detail of Two-way Slab Reinforcement

The table 3-9 from Simplified Construction Estimate by Fajardo shows the derived quantity of steel bars in a Two-way slab
reinforcement.

Example of Steel Bars computation for Reinforced Concrete Slab:

The floor slab of a school building measures 10 meters in width and 30 meters in length. It consists of classrooms
and a hallway, each with different reinforcement designs:
Classroom: 7 meters wide and 30 meters long, reinforced with a two-way reinforcement concrete slab.
Hallway: 3 meters wide and 30 meters long, reinforced with a one-way reinforcement concrete slab.

The steel bars used are 12mm in diameter, spaced at 12.5 cm (125 mm) apart. Calculate the total number of bars
required for the entire floor slab.
Solution:
For a Two-way Reinforcement:
Area = 7m x 30m = 210 sq.m.
Compute the number of bars by are method:
Using the Table 3-9 from the book of Fajardo (Simplified Construction Estimate)
The spacing of bars is 12.5mm and using a 6m commercial length of bars, the number of bars per sq.m. is
3.549 pcs.
Number of Bars = Floor Area x 3.549 pcs per sq.m.
= 210 sq.m. x 3.549 pcs/sq.m.
Number of Bars= 745.39 pcs or 746 pcs – 12mm dia. x 6m long Steel Bars

For a One-way Reinforcement:

Area = 3m x 30m = 90 sq.m.
Compute the number of bars by are method:
Using the Table 3-8 from the book of Fajardo (Simplified Construction Estimate)
The spacing of bars is 12.5mm and using a 6m commercial length of bars, the number of bars per sq.m. is
3.186 pcs.
Number of Bars = Floor Area x 3.186 pcs per sq.m.
= 90 sq.m. x 3.186 pcs/sq.m.
Number of Bars= 286.74 pcs or 287 pcs – 12mm dia. x 6m long Steel Bars

TOTAL NUMBER OF BARS FOR FLOOR SLAB = 1,033 PCS 12MM DIA. X 6M LONG

When estimating reinforcement steel requirements, it's essential to account for various factors that contribute to
material usage. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Rebar Cutting and Bending Losses

• Allowance: Typically, 2–5% of the total steel weight.

• Reason: Losses occur due to cutting, bending, and off-cuts that cannot be reused.
• Reference: According to industry practices, traditional steel wastage is around 2%, with 0.5% being
unrecoverable and 1.5% considered scrap.

2. Binding Wire Consumption

• Allowance: Approximately 7–13 kg per ton (1,000 kg) of steel reinforcement.

• Reason: Binding wire is used to tie rebars at joints to maintain structural integrity during concrete
placement.
• Reference: Industry standards suggest that for every 1 ton of steel reinforcement, 9 to 13 kg of binding
wire is required.

3. Miscellaneous Wastage (Site Handling & Transportation)

• Allowance: Typically 1–3%.

• Reason: Losses can occur due to damage, rusting, and mishandling during transportation and on-site
handling.

Total Wastage Consideration

Combining these factors, a safe estimate for total wastage in reinforcement steel is approximately 5–10% of the
total steel weight. This accounts for cutting and bending losses, laps and splices, binding wire, and miscellaneous
factors.