Bar Bending Schedule [BBS] Estimate of

Steel in Building Construction

Table of contents [show]

Introduction to Bar Bending Schedule

[BBS]:-
“BBS” The word BBS Plays a significant role in any construction of High rise buildings. BBS
refers to Bar Bending Schedule. Well, Whats the use of BBS? Why we use BBS?

BBS is termed as Calculation of Steel required for the construction of a building. We use steel to
make concrete to be reinforced and for tension requirements. But how much steel required for
constructing 15 floors building?? How much Steel I have to order? All these questions are
answered in BBS.

Well, from 1950 to 2017 lots of modifications and enhancements happening in our world. At that
time three storeyed buildings are high rise buildings now we are constructing a building with 200
floors+. There is a massive growth in construction. More population, more need of facilities,
more need of space, more construction.

How BBS Changed from 1950-2000:-

Father of Estimation B.N. Datta has given certain recommendations for the usage of steel (bar
bending schedule) in different components of buildings. But, he didn’t mention any values if we
use more bars in a single element.

Bar Bending Member Percentage

Slab 1% of total volume of concrete

Beam 2% of of total volume of concrete

Column 5% of total volume of concrete

Footings 0.8% of total volume of concrete

At that time we’ve used only four bars in columns; now we are using 12+ bars in columns based
on load analysis. So, the percentage of steel is increased in a column which reveals that the
above-cited values are outdated. ( I am saying outdated “not wrong”) He wrote that book in
1950. Now we are in 2017. He gave recommendations according to the potentiality of
construction at that time. Now we are constructing 200 + floors in the small area.

Hope now you are clear that BN Datta didn’t give any recommendations of Bar Bending
schedule for high rise buildings.

Well, one article isn’t enough to calculate the amount of steel required for the whole building. In
future, I will come up with different posts for calculation of various components of the building.
Here I am showing how to calculate the steel required for various components.

Bar Bending Schedule [BBS] :-

1. Hook Length or Cutting length of Stirrups:-

The hook length is commonly provided for stirrups. The below mentioned image depicts the
cutting length of stirrups.

Hook Length = 9D [D is Diameter of the Bar]

Total Cutting Length of stirrup = Total length of Bar + 2 x Hook Length (Two hooks)

Total Cutting Length = L+2(9D)

Therefore Total Cutting length = L+18D (D is Diameter of bar)

2. Bend Length:-

Bend Length is usually provided in columns at ends to tie the columns to the footings.

Bend Length = 16D [D is Diameter of the Bar]

3. Overlap Length / Lap Length in Reinforcement (Bar Bending Schedule) :-

Suppose the length of building is 20 m. The standard length of Rebar is 12m. We have to join
two Re-bars for the total length of building. In order to Join the two bars (overlap). Overlap
length is adopted.

Overlap Length for compression members = 40D

Overlap Length for tension members = 50D

[D is the Diameter of the bar]

Have You seen the below picture on your top floor of the building? We generally leave some
length of Bar in last floor i.e., 50D. It is used for further construction purpose. (Constructing a
new floor)

4. Crank Length :-

Crank length is provided in Slab Shear stress is maximum at supports in Slab. So, to resist this
stress we usually crank the bars at the ends of supports in slab.

Crank bar is bent up at an angle of 45degree with the length of 0.42D

D = Depth of Slab-Top Cover-Bottom cover

5. Extra Bar:-

Now a days Extra bar is also provided under every crank bar. To keep crank bar in position.
(Refer above image for clear idea)

The length of Extra bar is L/4.

Bar Bending Schedule Calculator:

Calculate Amount of steel required
Select a Dia of Bar Required

No. of Metres required

Weight of Steel required in Kgs

No. of Bars required

were, 1 bar = 12m