Reinforcement Allowances
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farhaad shaikReinforcement Allowances
Uploaded by
farhaad shaikVolume of
Weight of Weight of reinforcement
Concrete Share of steel of
reinforcement reinforcement in m3/m3
building element total structure %
in kg/m3 in lb/ft3 (dependent on
the exact steel)
Bases 90–130 5.6–8.1 0.012-0.017 1.2 - 1.7 %
Beams 250–350 15.6–21.8 0.032-0.045 3.2 - 4.5 %
Capping beams 135 8.4 0.017 1.7 %
Columns 200-450 12.4-28 0.025-0.057 2.5 - 5.7 %
Ground beams 230-330 14.3-20.6 0.029-0.042 2.9 - 4.2 %
Footings 70-100 4.3-6.2 0.009-0.042 0.9 - 4.2 %
Pile Caps 110-150 6.8–9.3 0.014-0.019 1.4 - 1.9 %
Plate slabs 95–135 5.9–8.4 0.012-0.017 1.2 - 1.7 %
Rafts 115 7.1 0.015 1.5 %
Retaining walls 110–150 6.8–9-3 0.014-0.019 1.4 - 1.9 %
Ribbed floor slabs 80–120 5–7.4 0.010-0.015 1 - 1.5 %
Slabs – one way 75–125 4.6–7.8 0.010-0.016 1 - 1.6 %
Slabs – two way 67–135 4.1–8.4 0.009-0.017 0.9 - 1.7 %
Stairs 130–170 8.1–10.6 0.017-0.022 1.7 - 2.2 %
Tie beams 130–170 8.1–10.6 0.017-0.022 1.7 - 2.2 %
Transfer slabs 150 9.3 0.019 1.9 %
Walls – normal 70–100 4.3–6.2 0.009-0.013 0.9 - 1.3 %
Walls – wind 90–150 5.6-9.3 0.011-0.019 1.1 - 1.9 %
Source: Reinforcement Estimates
Average quantity in Finland
List of typical steel amounts used in different kind of structures and elements (please
note that these are average values, in reality, there is variance). All the quantities are
shown per m3 of concrete. The typical density of concrete is approximately 2400 kg /m3.
Tendon* = high strength low allow steel, typically used for instance in pre-stressed
concrete elements, this steel grade is likely to contain more virgin steel Rebar steel* =
basic steel used for concrete reinforcement.
Pre-stressed concrete beam: 30 kg of tendon and 30 kg of normal rebar steel
Reinforced concrete beam: 100 kg of normal rebar steel
Column: 100 kg of normal rebar steel
Hollow-core concrete slab**: 10 kg tendon
Wall, internal element (for instance 180 mm): 35 kg of normal rebar steel
Wall, external layer (for instance 70 mm): 80 kg of normal rebar steel or
stainless steel
Balcony (for instance 260 mm): 125 kg of normal rebar steel
* In Finnish: Tendon = jänneteräs, Basic rebar steel = harjateräs
** If you’ll need to estimate this please make sure you’ll have the right amount of
concrete taking into account the wholes. Usually, for hollow core concrete slab, it is
better to use an EPD that includes reinforcement as they usually do.