Why Don't We Deduct The Steel Volume While Calculating The Concrete Volume in RCC Structures

Why don't we deduct the steel volume while calculating the concrete
volume in RCC structures

Home » Causes and reasons » Why don't we deduct the steel volume while calculating the
concrete volume in RCC structures?
When compared to the concrete volume, the quantity of steel that we are providing in the
RCC structure is anywhere between 1% to 3% of the total concrete volume.
Let us calculate the quantity of steel and concrete in the below-given beam drawing, to
understand the concept clearly.
The volume of concrete in the beam
= L × B × H
= [(3.048m - 2nos. × 0.230m) × 0.23m × 0.3m ]
= 0.178cum.
The volume of steel
The volume of main bar
= 4nos × 0.7855× d2× L
= 4nos × 0.7855 ×0.0122× 3.048m
= 0.00137cum.
The volume of lateral ties
= 19nos.× 0.7855× d2× L
= 19nos.× 0.7855× d2× 1.124m
= 0.001cum
The total volume of the steel
=0.00137 +0.001
=0.00237cum
The steel volume %ge
= (vol. of steel ÷ vol. of concrete ) × 100
= (0.00237 ÷ 0.178) × 100
= 1.33%
From the above calculation, we understood that out of 100% volume, the concrete plays the
main role of having 98.67% of the total volume, & the contribution of steel volume is only
1.33%.
While casting the RCC structures, the unaccounted wastage of the concrete will be
somewhere around 3%, i.e. above the percentage volume of the steel.
By neglecting the steel quantity in the volume calculation of concrete mass, we can
compensate for some percentage of wastage incurred. This helps us to make the calculated
theoretical volume of the concrete to be nearer to the practical volume of the concrete molded
in the RCC structure.
So, neglecting the steel volume became the standardized practice in the concrete volume
calculation for the general purpose.
What are the different reasons for concrete wastage, while casting the RCC structures?
The concrete wastage is due to
1. Bulging of formwork:
When the vibratory needle is immersed in the concrete, the formwork bulges a little due to
the applied frequency, and concrete compaction. The increased formwork volume takes in, a
more volume of concrete.
2. Maintaining the level:
It is difficult to maintain the exact top level of the RCC structure in their finishing process.
We always go for the little extra concrete material, to be on the safer side.
3. Pouring the concrete:
The concretes spill a little over the formwork and over the ground while pouring them into
the molds.
4. Leftover concrete:
In the process of mixing, transporting & placing the concrete, we use different constructional
equipment like concrete mixers, trolleys, vibrators, etc. The concrete adheres to the
equipment and tools that we use. The leftover concrete material after the completion of the
work in this equipment and tools contributes their share in the total wastages.
Why are we not deducting the quantity of steel while calculating the quantity of
slab concrete?
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As per construction industry's standard practice steel quantity is not deducted from
concrete.
Reason No - 1 As per IS-1200 (Part II) - 1974
No deduction shall be made for valume occupied by reinforcement.
Reason No 2- Volume Occupied by reinforcement quantity is very small in concert by 1

to 2% of concrete quantity is negligible
Reason No - 3
Suppose we order the concrete quantity (deducting steel) to RMC supplier.
Then in our case =Required quantity as per measurment 950 Cum
Deduction=Volume Occupied by concert reinforcement 15.92 Cum( 1.67% of concrete

valume)
Ordered Quantity = 934.08 Cum.
Then what will happen your raft casting will be balance by 15.92 Cum
Why will this happen because of percentage Entrapped Air in concert mix by 2%
As per IS : 10262-1982 table No -3 Page No-9

2% of air will be removed from concrete after compaction. This removed air quantity and
occupied by reinforcement is equal in quantity.
Due to above reason, deduction is not being done.
In general practice 1% reinforcement steel in concert and 2% air in concert considered
In this case concrete quantity may decrease by 5 to 7 m3 due to increase in steel by1 to
1.67%
Why Don’t We Exclude Steel In Concrete

Calculation.
Based on the thumb rule of steel quantity or by the exact calculation, the
amount of steel used in structural elements is from 1-3%. It is very low
compared to the concrete volume.
Structural Percentage of Steel

Element in Concrete
For example, take the below slab, which is 2m X 3m X 0.125m.
Therefore total concrete volume = 0.75 m3
According to the thumb rule, the required amount of steel for the slab is 1%
Therefore required steel quantity = 0.75 * 1% = 0.0075 m3 which is negligible.
This will be compromised in concrete wastage while pouring it. So we don’t

exclude the reinforcement quantity separately.

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Why don't we deduct the steel volume while calculating the concrete

volume in RCC structures

The volume of concrete in the beam

= [(3.048m - 2nos. × 0.230m) × 0.23m × 0.3m ]

The volume of steel

The volume of main bar

= 4nos × 0.7855 ×0.0122× 3.048m

The volume of lateral ties

The total volume of the steel

The steel volume %ge

= (vol. of steel ÷ vol. of concrete ) × 100

The concrete wastage is due to

2. Maintaining the level:

3. Pouring the concrete:

Business news without the BS.

Reason No - 1 As per IS-1200 (Part II) - 1974

No deduction shall be made for valume occupied by reinforcement.

Reason No 2- Volume Occupied by reinforcement quantity is very small in concert by 1

Suppose we order the concrete quantity (deducting steel) to RMC supplier.

Then in our case =Required quantity as per measurment 950 Cum

Deduction=Volume Occupied by concert reinforcement 15.92 Cum( 1.67% of concrete

Ordered Quantity = 934.08 Cum.

As per IS : 10262-1982 table No -3 Page No-9

Due to above reason, deduction is not being done.

In general practice 1% reinforcement steel in concert and 2% air in concert considered

Why Don’t We Exclude Steel In Concrete

Structural Percentage of Steel

For example, take the below slab, which is 2m X 3m X 0.125m.

Therefore total concrete volume = 0.75 m3

Therefore required steel quantity = 0.75 * 1% = 0.0075 m3 which is negligible.

This will be compromised in concrete wastage while pouring it. So we don’t

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