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Bar Bending Schedule [BBS] Estimate of Steel in Building Construction

Bar Bending Schedule [BBS] Estimate of Steel in

Building Construction
 Krishna  January 12, 2019  113 Comments

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Introduction to Bar Bending Schedule [BBS]:-

“BBS” The word BBS Plays a signi cant role in any construction of High rise buildings.
BBS refers to Bar Bending Schedule. Well, What’s the use of BBS? Why we use BBS?
What is BBS?

In this article, we are majorly focused on how and where to start and what are the
basics. Apart from this, you can also learn

BBS - Bar Bending Schedule

 What is Bar Bending Schedule? and its Importance

 Basics of Bar Bending Schedule?
 How to Prepare Bar Bending Schedule?
 Important rules while preparing Bar Bending Schedule
 Use of Bar Bending Schedule?

It’s a lengthy article, so brace yourself for atleast 10 minutes. Let’s Get started.

First of all, Bar is any type of rebar which is used as a reinforcement in RCC. The bar
may be a Mild Steel bar or HYSD bar or TMT Bar.

Bar Bending Schedule is termed as “Calculation of the total 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 oors building?
How much Steel I have to order? All these questions are answered in BBS

In Bar bending schedule,  the bars are organized for each structural units (Beams or
columns or slabs or footings etc) and detailed list is prepared which speci es the Bar
location (Bar in footings, slabs, beams or columns), Bar Marking (to identify the bar in
accordance with the drawing), Bar Size (length of the bar used), Quantity (No. of Bars
used), Cutting length, Type of Bend and Shape of the bar in reinforcement drawings. 

How BBS Changed from 1950-2019:-

From 1950 to 2019 lots of modi cations and enhancements happening in our world. In
1950, three-storeyed buildings are high rise buildings now we are constructing a I NEED HELP WITH..
building with 200 oors+. There is a massive growth in the construction industry. Due
to the vast increase in world population demands increased facilities, more need for
space and more construction.

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

Bar Bending Member Percentage

Slab 1% of total volume of concrete

Beam 2% of of total volume of concrete

Column 2.5% of total volume of concrete

Footings 0.8% of total volume of concrete

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Bar Bending Schedule App

Slab Steel Calculator

IMPORTANT TOPICS
At that time we’ve used only four bars in columns; now we are using 12+ bars in AUTOCAD Bar Bending Schedule
columns based on load analysis. So, the percentage of steel is increased in a column
bricks cement test
which reveals that the above-cited values are outdated. ( They are outdated “not
Civil engineer Student corner
wrong”) He wrote that book in 1950. Now we are in 2019. He gave recommendations
according to the potentiality of construction at that time. Now we are constructing 200 Compressive strength test on Building
+ oors in the small area. materials

concrete eld tests gate material

Bar Bending Schedule [BBS]:- gate notes Geo technical engineering

Before dealing with the BBS, it’s very important to learn the basics of Bar bending highway engineering highways
schedule. The below-mentioned table is a  kick-start guide for learning Bar bending jobs land surveying plans
schedule from scratch.
Quality check of building materials on site

(If you are viewing the below table through mobile, scroll horizontally for a clear view) Quantity surveying reinforcement

Road staircase Tests on cement

S.No. Particulars Result Tests on concrete

workability of concrete test

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 S.No. Particulars Result

1. Standard Length of the Steel Bar 12m or 40'

(Bars are sold at standard Length)

2. Weight of Bar D2/162

for length = 1m
(were D = Dia of Bar)

Ex: If length of bar is 12m with 10mm Dia then , 7.40Kgs

Weight of bar = D2/162

Therefore for length 1m = 1m x D2/162

= 1 x 102/162 = 0.61 Kgs

For length 12m = 12 x 102/162

= 7.40Kgs

3. Density of Steel 7850Kg/m3

Below  I am discussing the different concepts of Bar Bending schedule which are very
useful while working with BBS. All these concepts are used in BBS design calculation of
any structural member. So be familiar with the below concepts. To keep it clear, rstly
the concepts are discussed and in the end, this post is closed with an example of BBS
calculation of a member.

1. Hook Length or Cutting length of Stirrups:-

The hook length is commonly provided for stirrups in beams and ties in columns. In
general, Hooks are added at the two ends of the rebar in stirrups or ties.

Hook Length = 9d (d is dia of the bar)

Below image makes you clear why the Hook length = 9d

From above g, length of hook = [(Curved Portion) + 4d] = [(4d+d)+4d] = 9d

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

Example Calculation considering stirrup with the hooks at ends:

For clear understanding, look at the below image for calculation of the total length of
stirrup the with two hooks at ends.

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

Total Cutting Length = L+2(9d)

Therefore Total Cutting  length = L+18d (d is the Diameter of a bar)

Hope, now you are clear with the Hook length calculation.

/
2. Bend Length:-
The Bend length calculation is different for Cranked bars (bent up bars) and bends at
corners.

The bars are usually cranked in Slabs and bars are bent at corners in Stirrups or ties.

(i) Bend Length calculation in Cranked Bars:-

As  Shear stress is maximum at supports in Slab. To resist these stresses we usually
crank the bars at the ends of supports in the slab. The below gure depicts the bent up
bar in Slab. To calculate the bend length the below procedure is followed.

From the above gure as the bar is bent at an angle θ0 the additional length (la) is
introduced.

Where, la = l1 – l2–(i)

Tanθ = D/l2 ; Sinθ  = D/l1

Hence  l1  = D/Sinθ and l2 = D/tanθ

Therefore from (i)  :- la = D/Sinθ – D/tanθ

Giving different θ values as 300 , 450, 600  results different additional length  la values as

below.

θ0 D
/Sinθ D
/tanθ  la =D/Sinθ – D/tanθ

300 D/0.500 D/0.573 0.27D

450 D/0.707 D/1.000 0.42D

600 D/0.866 D/1.732 0.58D

900 D/1 0 1D

1350 D/0.707 D/-1 2.42D

The additional length is added to the total length of the bar if the bars are cranked at a
certain angle.

Example Calculation considering Bent up bar in Slab (Cranked bar):-

To keep the crank bar in position, an extra bar of length (L/4) is provided below the
crank bar as shown in the below gure.

Therefore, the total length of bar = L+0.42D+0.42D+(L/4)+(L/4) = 1.5L+0.84D

Remember D = Depth of Slab-Top Cover-Bottom cover 

(ii) Bend Length calculation when bars are bent at corners:-

The important standards used while calculating the bend length at corners

1. 45° Bend length = 1d

2. 90° Bend length = 2d
3. 135° Bend length = 3d

Here, ‘d’ = Diameter of bar

Example Calculation considering stirrup with the bends at corners:

/
From above g, There are 3 bends which are bent at an angle of 900 and two bends are
bent at an angle of 1350
Total bend length = 3 x 900 Bend length + 2 x 1350 Bend length = 3 x 2d + 2 x 3d = 12d =
12 x 8 = 96mm

Learn more:How to find the cutting length of stirrups in Columns and Beams for
different shapes

Below table represents the total length of bar calculation for different types of bar
shapes.
(If you are viewing the below table through mobile, scroll horizontally for a clear view)

Total
Total Length Total Length of
Bar Shapes Bend
of Hooks Bar
Length

Straight Bar Two No bend l + 18D

Hooks
= 9d + 9d
= 18d

Bent Up at one End only Two One l + 18D +

Hooks bend 0.42D
= 9d + 9d bent at
= 18d an
angle 45
= 0.42D

Double Bent up Bar Two Two l + 18D +

Hooks bends 0.42D + 0.42D
= 9d + 9d bent at =l+18D+0.84D
= 18d an
angle
450

Overlap of bars Two No Overlap

Hooks bends Length
= 9d + 9d =(40d to
= 18d 45d)+18d

3. Overlap Length / Lap Length in Reinforcement:-

The standard length of Rebar is 12m. Suppose the height of the column is 20 m. To
purvey this requirement, two bars of length 12m and 8m are overlapped (joined) with
overlap length.

Overlap Length for compression members (columns) = 50d

The Overlap Length for tension members (beams) = 40d

[d is the Diameter of the bar]

/
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How to Calculate BBS

BBS Basics

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

Also Read:  Development length in Bar Bending Schedule

How to Prepare Bar Bending Schedule:

To understand clear, Here I am considering the below structural member RCC Column
and preparing a BBS for it.

BBS of Column

Structural Member Column

(3mx0.3mx0.3m)

Bar Marking 1. Main Bars

2. Stirrups (Longitudinal bars)

Dia of Bar 1. Main Bars = 16mm ;

2. Stirrups
(Longitudinal bars) = 8mm

No. of Bars used 1. Main bars = 4

2. Stirrups = 30

Cutting length 1. Main bars = 3.16m

2. Stirrups = 2.64m

Total Length of bar 1. Main bars = 18.4m

2. Stirrups = 43.2m

Weight of Steel bar 1. Main bars = 29Kgs

2. Stirrups =17Kgs

Calculation part of above table:

No. of Bars calculation:

Main bars = 4
To calculate the No. of longitudinal bars adopt spacing between bars is 0.1m
No. of Longitudinal bars = Length of column / Spacing = 3/0.1 = 30bars
Longitudinal bars = 30

Cutting length calculation:

Main bars = 3m + 50d + 50d = 3 + 50×0.016 + 50×0.016 = 4.6m
Stirrups:
Hook length = 9d + 9d = 18d = 18×0.08=1.44m
Bend length =3 x 900 Bend length + 2 x 1350 Bend length
= 3 x 2d + 2 x 3d = 12d = 12 x 8 =0.096m

= l +hook length + bend length = 0.3+0.3+0.3+0.3 +0.144+0.096=1.44m

Hence for Main Bars = 4.6m ; Longitudinal bars = 1.44m

/
Total Length of Bars:
Total length of Main bars =  No. of Main bars x length of one bar
= 4 x 4.6 = 18.4m
Total length of Longitudinal bars=No. of longitudinal bars x length of one bar
=30×1.44=43.2m

Weight of steel bar:

Weight of steel bar for 1m = 1m x D2/162
Total weight of Main bars = 18.4 x 162/162 = 29Kgs
Total weight of longitudinal bars = 43.2 x 82/162 =17Kgs

Total weight of steel bar required to do BBS of above column = 46Kgs

Important rules while preparing Bar Bending Schedule:-

The bars used in building should be grouped together for each structural unit and
listed seperately for each oor.
Bars are listed in numerical order.
To identify the bar in the bundle of bars, each bar is uniquely labelled with
reference details (Length of the bar, size of the bar, Shape of the bar)
The type of bar and shape of the bar should be in accordance with B8666.
It is essential that the bar mark reference on the label attached to a bundle of bars
refers uniquely to a particular group or set of bars of de ned length, size, shape
and type used on the job.
The cutting length and bending length calculations are separately calculated and
not included in the detailed list. Like I have listed the Bar Bending details in a table
and calculations are done separately.

Use of Bar Bending Schedule:

BBS helps to estimate the total quantity of steel required for the construction of
building or structure. It helps to quote for tender the cost incurred by steel.
Finding the cutting length and bending length in reinforcement detailing improves
the quality of construction and minimize the wastage of steel, makes an
economic construction
With the help of reinforcement drawings, cutting and bending can be done at the
factory and transported to the site. This increases faster construction and
reduces the total construction cost.
For site engineers, It becomes easy to verify the cutting length and bending length
of the reinforcement before placing the concrete.

Bar Bending Schedule Calculator:

Calculate Amount of steel required

Select a Dia of Bar Required
6mm

No. of Metres required

Weight of Steel required in Kgs

0.00

No. of Bars required

0.0

were, 1 bar = 12m

Learn how to Estimate the Quantities of Steel (Bar Bending Schedule)

for different members of a structure:

 How to calculate Cutting length of stirrups in Beams and Columns

 Bar Bending schedule of Footings
 Bar Bending schedule of Tie beams / Strap Beams
 Bar Bending schedule of Neck column 
 Bar Bending schedule of Floor column
 Bar Bending schedule of Slabs 
 Bar Bending schedule of Doglegged staircase
 Difference between Lap Length and Development Length
 What is Bond, Bond stress, Anchorage length & bond, Development

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