Estimation (or estimating) is the process of finding an estimate, or approximation, which is a value

that is usable for some purpose even if input data may be incomplete, uncertain, or unstable. The
value is nonetheless usable because it is derived from the best information available. [1] Typically,
estimation involves "using the value of a statistic derived from a sample to estimate the value of a
corresponding population parameter".[2] The sample provides information that can be projected,
through various formal or informal processes, to determine a range most likely to describe the
missing information. An estimate that turns out to be incorrect will be anoverestimate if the estimate
exceeded the actual result,[3] and an underestimate if the estimate fell short of the actual result.[4]

REINFORCEMENT QUANTITY
ESTIMATION
REINFORCEMENT QUANTITY ESTIMATION

For estimating the cost of the structure, it is necessary for the quantities of the
materials, including those of the reinforcement to be known. Accurate quantities
of the concrete and brickworkcan be calculated from the layout drawings. If
working drawings and schedules for the reinforcement are not available it is
necessary to provide an estimate of the anticipated quantities. The quantities
are normally described in accordance with the requirements of the Standard
method of measurement of building works.

In the case of reinforcement quantities the basic requirements are:

1. Bar reinforcement should be described separately by steel type (e.g. mild or

high-yield steel), diameter and weight and divided up according to:

(a) Element of structure, e.g. foundations, slabs, walls, columns, etc., and

(b) Bar shape, e.g. straight, bent or hooked; curved; links, stirrups and
spacers.

2. Fabric (mesh) reinforcement should be described separately by steel type,

fabric type and area, divided up according to 1(a) and 1(b) above.
There are different methods for estimating the quantities of
reinforcement;, three methods of varying accuracy are:

Method-1 for Reinforcement Estimation

The simplest method is based on the type of structure and the volume of the
reinforcedconcrete elements. Typical values are, for example:

Warehouses and similarly loaded and proportioned structures: 1 tonne of

reinforcement per 105m3

Offices, shops, hotels: 1 tonne per 13.5m3

Residential, schools: 1 tonne per 15.05m3

However, while this method is a useful check on the total estimated quantity it
is the least accurate, and it requires considerable experience to break the
tonnage down to Standard Method of Measurement requirements.

Method-2 for Reinforcement Estimation

Another method is to use factors that convert the steel areas obtained from the
initial design calculations to weights, e.g. kg/M2 or kg/m as appropriate to the
element.
If the weights are divided into practical bar diameters and shapes, this method
give a reasonably accurate assessment. The factors, however, do assume a
degree of standardization both of structural form and detailing.

This method is likely to be the most flexible and relatively precise in practice, as
it is based on reinforcement requirements indicated by the initial design
calculations.

Method-3 for Reinforcement Estimation:

For this method sketches are made for the typical cases of elements and then
weighted.

This method has the advantages that:

(a) The sketches are representative of the actual structure

(b) The sketches include the intended form of detailing and distribution of main
and secondary reinforcement

(c) An allowance of additional steel for variations and holes may be made by
inspection.

This method can also be used to calibrate or check the factors described in
method 2 as it takes account of individual detailing methods.

When preparing the reinforcement estimate, the following items should

be considered:

(a) Laps and starter bars

A reasonable allowance for normal laps in both main and distribution bars and
for starter bars has shall be considered. It should however be checked if special
lapping arrangements are used.

(b) Architectural features

The drawings should be looked at and sufficient allowance made for the
reinforcement required for such non-structural features.

(c) Contingency

A contingency of between 10% and 15% should be added to cater for some
changes and for possible omissions.

CALCULATE QUANTITIES OF
MATERIALS FOR CONCRETE
Quantities of materials for the production of required quantity of concrete of
given mix proportions can be calculated by absolute volume method. This
method is based on the principle that the volume of fully compacted concrete is
equal to the absolute volume of all the materials of concrete, i.e. cement, sand,
coarseaggregates and water.

The formula for calculation of materials for required volume of

concrete is given by:
Where, Vc = Absolute volume of fully compacted fresh concrete

W =Mass of water

C = Mass of cement

Fa = Mass of fine aggregates

Ca = Mass of coarse aggregates

Sc, Sfa and Sca are the specific gravities of cement, fine aggregates and coarse
aggregates respectively.

The air content has been ignored in this calculation.

This method of calculation for quantities of materials for concrete takes into
account the mix proportions from design mix or nominal mixes for structural
strength and durability requirement.

Now we will learn the material calculation by an example.

Consider concrete with mix proportion of 1:1.5:3 where, 1 is part of cement,

1.5 is part of fine aggregates and 3 is part of coarse aggregates of maximum
size of 20mm. The water cement ratio required for mixing of concrete is taken
as 0.45.

Assuming bulk densities of materials as follows:

Cement = 1500 kg/m3

Sand = 1700 kg/m3

Coarse aggregates = 1650 kg/m3

Specific gravities of concrete materials are as follows:

Cement = 3.15
Sand = 2.6

Coarse aggregates = 2.6.

The percentage of entrained air assumed is 2%.

The mix proportion of 1:1.5:3 by dry volume of materials can be expressed in

terms of masses as:

Cement = 1 x 1500 = 1500

Sand = 1.5 x 1700 = 2550

Coarse aggregate = 3 x 1650 = 4950.

Therefore, the ratio of masses of these materials w.r.t. cement will as follows =

= 1 : 1.7 : 3.3

The water cement ratio = 0.45

Now we will calculate the volume of concrete that can be produced with one
bag of cement (i.e. 50 kg cement) for the mass proportions of concrete
materials.

Thus, the absolute volume of concrete for 50 kg of cement =

Thus, for the proportion of mix considered, with on3 bag of cement of 50 kg,
0.1345 m3 of concrete can be produced.

We have considered an entrained air of 2%. Thus the actual volume of concrete
for 1 cubic meter of compacted concrete construction will be = 1 -0.02 = 0.98
m3.
Thus, the quantity of cement required for 1 cubic meter of concrete =
0.98/0.1345 = 7.29 bags of cement.

The quantities of materials for 1 m3 of concrete production can be

calculated as follows:

The weight of cement required = 7.29 x 50 = 364.5 kg.

Weight of fine aggregate (sand) = 1.5 x 364.5 = 546.75 kg.

Weight of coarse aggregate = 3 x 364.5 = 1093.5 kg.

Reinforcement Estimates
Typical average weight of reinforcement (kg/m3) in concrete building elements. The below figures are
for guideline only and may vary for different projects.

Concrete building element Weight of reinforcement in kg/m3

Bases 90-130
Beams 250-350
Capping beams 135
Columns 200-450
Ground beams 230-330
Footings 70-100
Pile Caps 110-150
Plate slabs 95-135
Rafts 115
Retaining walls 110-150
Ribbed floor slabs 80-120
Slabs one way 75-125
Slabs two way 67-135
Stairs 130-170
Tie beams 130-170
Transfer slabs 150
Walls normal 70-100
Walls wind 90-150

NOTE: For exposed elements add the following:

Beams +100%; Columns +15%; Walls +50%