To calculate the reinforcing bars (rebar) for a one-storey house, you typically need to understand the

structural components of the building (like the foundation, beams, columns, and slabs) and how
reinforcement is designed for each part. Here's a general process for estimating the amount of rebar for
different elements of a typical reinforced concrete structure:

1. Foundation (Slab, Footings, and Beams)

For the foundation, the most common structural elements requiring rebar are the footings, slab, and
sometimes beams. The design of the foundation should be based on the soil type and load-bearing
requirements. Structural drawings and calculations would be used for precise rebar quantities, but here’s
a simplified guide:

a. Slab (Ground Floor)

• Rebar Calculation for Slab: A reinforced concrete slab often requires a mesh reinforcement or
reinforcing bars arranged in a grid.

• Size of bars: Usually, #10 or #12 (10 mm or 12 mm diameter) bars are used.

• Spacing of bars: Bars are typically spaced 150 mm to 200 mm apart in both directions (both
longitudinal and transverse directions).

Formula for bar length:

Total Length of Bars=Area of Slab×Number of Bars per Meter\text{Total Length of Bars} = \text{Area of
Slab} \times \text{Number of Bars per
Meter}Total Length of Bars=Area of Slab×Number of Bars per Meter

(Number of bars depends on the spacing.)

For example, in a slab of size 5 m x 5 m (25 m²):

o If bars are spaced 150 mm (0.15 m) apart:

o Total bar length in one direction: Total Length=6.67×5 m=33.35 m\text{Total Length} =
6.67 \times 5 \, \text{m} = 33.35 \, \text{m}Total Length=6.67×5m=33.35m

o Repeat for both directions (length and width).

b. Footings

Footings typically have a reinforced concrete mat or individual strip footings. The reinforcing bars are
placed in a grid pattern.
 • Rebar Size: Bars of #12, #16, or #20 are commonly used, depending on the load and soil
conditions.

• Spacing: Bar spacing is typically between 200 mm to 300 mm apart.

Example:

o For a footing that is 3 m x 3 m, and bars placed 200 mm apart, you'd calculate the
number of bars along the length and width similarly to the slab calculation above.

c. Beams

Beams may be designed to carry loads from walls and roofs. Beam sizes and rebar quantities vary
significantly depending on the span, load, and design specifics.

• Rebar Size: #16 or #20 bars are common.

• Spacing: Bar spacing typically ranges from 150 mm to 250 mm.

For Example: If a beam is 6 m long and uses #16 bars spaced 200 mm apart, you would calculate the
number of bars as follows:

Number of bars=60.2=30 bars\text{Number of bars} = \frac{6}{0.2} = 30 \,

Each bar would have a length of 6 m, so the total length of the bars would be:

Total Length of Bars=30×6=180 m\text{Total Length of Bars} = 30 \times 6 = 180 \,

2. Columns

Columns are crucial for vertical load-bearing. The amount of rebar used depends on the column size,
load, and design specifications.

• Rebar Size: #16 or #20 bars are often used for the vertical reinforcement.

• Spacing: The distance between bars is typically 100 mm to 200 mm.

Example: For a column 3 m high, with 4 vertical bars of #16 and stirrups spaced at 200 mm:

o Vertical Bars: Total vertical bars required = 4 bars x 3 m = 12 m

o Stirrups: For stirrups, you need to calculate the length of each hoop (the perimeter of
the column cross-section). For a square column of 300 mm x 300 mm, the perimeter is:
Perimeter=4×0.3=1.2 m\text{Perimeter} = 4 \times 0.3 = 1.2 \,
\text{m}Perimeter=4×0.3=1.2m So, for stirrups spaced 200 mm apart:
Number of stirrups=30.2=15 stirrups\text{Number of stirrups} = \frac{3}{0.2} = 15 \,
 \text{stirrups}Number of stirrups=0.23=15stirrups Therefore, the total length of stirrup
bars: Total Stirrup Length=15×1.2 m=18 m\text{Total Stirrup Length} = 15 \times 1.2 \,
\text{m} = 18 \, \text{m}Total Stirrup Length=15×1.2m=18m

3. Wall Reinforcement

If your house includes load-bearing walls, they will require reinforcement. The rebar for walls is typically
placed in vertical and horizontal directions. You will need to calculate the number of bars for each
direction based on the size and spacing of the bars.

Example for a Wall:

For a 4 m high and 5 m long wall with #12 bars placed 200 mm apart:

• Vertical Bars: Spacing of 200 mm means you’ll have: 50.2=25 bars\frac{5}{0.2} = 25 \,

• Total Length for Vertical Bars: 25×4 m=100 m25 \times 4 \, \text{m} = 100 \,
\text{m}25×4m=100m

• For horizontal reinforcement, you would calculate similarly based on the number of horizontal
bars needed.

4. Total Rebar Calculation

Once you’ve calculated the rebar requirements for each component (slabs, beams, columns, and
footings), sum up the total lengths of all the bars and stirrups.

For example:

• Slab: 100 m

• Footings: 150 m

• Beams: 180 m

• Columns: 30 m

• Stirrups (if applicable): 50 m

Total Rebar Length = 100 + 150 + 180 + 30 + 50 = 510 meters of rebar.

5. Weight of Rebar

If you need to calculate the total weight of the rebar, use the following formula:
Weight of Rebar=Total Length of Bars×Weight per Meter of Bar\text{Weight of Rebar} = \text{Total
Length of Bars} \times \text{Weight per Meter of
Bar}Weight of Rebar=Total Length of Bars×Weight per Meter of Bar

The weight per meter of bar (for different sizes) is typically available in rebar charts. For example:

• #10 bar (10 mm) = 0.617 kg/m

• #12 bar (12 mm) = 0.888 kg/m

• #16 bar (16 mm) = 1.58 kg/m

Multiply the total length by the weight per meter for each size and sum it to get the total weight.