Technical Paper

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>>>>>>> AN ESTIMATORS GUIDE TO POLICIES,

>>>>>>>>>>> PROCEDURES, AND STRATEGIES

ESTIMATE THE COST OF

Reinforcing Steel in
Shallow Foundations

submitted by Jonathan A. Rogers, CPE

After graduating from Georgia Techs school of

Architecture in 1993, Jonathan A. (Andy) Rogers

1) Introduction

and remodeling. In 1996 his career path led him to

2) Types and Methods of Measurements

single and multi-family developers providing design,

3) Overview of Labor, Material, Accessory, & Other Costs

management services. In 1999, a geographic move

4) Ratio & Analysis

construction. Since that time, Andy has developed

5) Specific Factors Affecting Take-off and Pricing

commercial multi-family and institutional projects.

6) Specific Risk Considerations

started his career in single family home construction

preconstruction, where he worked as a consultant to
cost estimating, and purchasing systems set-up and
prompted a career change into strictly commercial
and utilized his experience predominantly in

Andy Rogers, CPE works as a Preconstruction

Services Manager for Hardin Construction

7) Sample Drawings and Details

Company, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia.

www.aspenational.org

13

Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

Introduction
The intent of this technical paper is
to explain the systematic approach to
estimating the cost of reinforcing steel
in shallow foundations. The desire is to
define basic terminology, explain common details, and demonstrate a simplified approach to the take-off of the most
common components encountered in
shallow foundation design. The reader
should therefore be able to apply these
principles to more complex systems and
adapt them as needed to specific project
details, design standards, and environmental conditions.
The basis for this paper is the Construction Specification Institute Master Format (2004 Edition).

BTTM: Bottom
CONT: Continuous
EA: Each
EE: Each end
EF: Each face
ES: Each side
EW: Each way

LLH: Long leg

horizontal
LLV: Long leg vertical
LW: Long way
OC: On Center
SW: Short way
T&B: Top and bottom

FOC: Face of Concrete

TF / T.O.F.: Top of

Footing

F.F.E.: Finished Floor

Elevation

TP / T.O.P.: Top of Pier

FS: Footing step

VERT: Vertical

Division: 03 00 00 Concrete
Subdivision(s): 03 21 00 Reinforcing Steel

HORIZ: Horizontal

For the purpose of limiting the

breadth of this article, this paper does
not delve into concepts associated with
reinforcing in deep foundations, slabson-grade, or vertical concrete structures. Rather, it focuses on subgrade
foundation components only. Many
of the same concepts covered in this
paper, however, may be employed in
developing quantitative analysis of mild
reinforcing in other concrete structures.
Additionally, this article assumes that
the estimator has access to 90-95%
complete construction documents with
necessary details, schedules, and specifications included. This paper, therefore,
focuses on final or contract estimating.

Common terms used in referring to

shallow foundation reinforcing are:

Types and Methods

of Measurement
Terminology
Footing and foundation schedules and
details utilize a common set of abbreviations and terms. Familiarity with these
is vital to understanding the placement,
quantity, and length of various members
in the reinforcing design. Some of the
most common abbreviations used are
listed below.

14

November 2010

Coverage: the distance between the outermost piece of reinforcing steel and the outside
face of concrete which protects resteel from
coming in contact with the elements. For this
article, 3 minimum coverage has been used
throughout.
Dowel: short length of reinforcing steel left
extended from the face of a concrete pour in
order to tie additional reinforcing and secondary pours together.
Lap length: the minimum distance two reinforcing bars must overlap to create a lap splice
Longitudinal bar: reinforcing bar which runs
the length of a footing or wall
Mat: a single layer of reinforcing steel combining longitudinal and transverse bars
Net length: the length of a
reinforcing bar determined
by deducting minimum
coverage(s) from a footing,
pier, or wall dimension
Rebar, Resteel: terms
used interchangeably for
reinforcing steel
Splice: any of three methods (lap splice, mechanical
splice, or welded splice)
used to join two pieces of
reinforcing steel to create a
single line of reinforcing

Tie: method of joining two pieces of reinforcing steel using plastic ties, steel wire,
smaller reinforcing bars or other means to
create and secure lap splices, cages, and
dowels prior to placing concrete.
Transverse Bar: reinforcing bar which runs
the width of a footing or wall, generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal bars.
Straight length: the total length of a fabricated (bent) piece or reinforcing steel.

Other terminology and abbreviations

may be encountered specific to the
geographic region or the project and/
or the design firm responsible for the
contract documents.
Units of Measure
Reinforcing steel is most typically
estimated by weight and imperially in
pounds which are commonly converted to tons. For contractors who
self-perform fabrication of reinforcing
steel, these weights may be further
converted to pieces for the purposes
of quantifying and ordering straight
reinforcing bars. Reinforcing steel
in shallow foundations is most commonly specified as Grade 40 (metric
Grade 280), Grade 60 (metric Grade
420), or Grade 75 (metric Grade 520),
deformed bars and available in 20-foot
and 60-foot lengths with weights per
linear foot as listed in Table 2.1.
Additionally, because the weight of
reinforcing steel is related directly to
the number of fabricated parts, calculations which result in fractional parts
(i.e. decimal places) are commonly
rounded either up or down to the
whole piece to provide more accurate
resulting total weight. For the pur-

Table 2.1
Common Reinforcing Bar Sizes
Bar
Nominal
Designation
Diameter (inches)
#3
0.375
#4
0.500
#5
0.625
#6
0.750
#7
0.875
#8
1.000
#9
1.128
#10
1.270
#11
1.410
#14
1.693
#18
2.257

Weight
(lbs/lnft)
0.376
0.668
1.043
1.502
2.044
2.670
3.400
4.303
5.313
7.650
13.600

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Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

pose of this paper, where values have

been rounded, the symbols = shall
represent equals value rounded-up
and = shall represent equals value
rounded-down.
Quantity Survey
Upon receipt of construction documents, the estimators first responsibility is to survey the documents, become
familiar with the project details, and
develop an outline of the primary
components of the shallow foundation
design. The most common of those
components are:
1) spread footings
2) strip footings
3) piers
4) foundation walls

1) SPREAD FOOTINGS

Once a basic outline of the components is generated, take-off for each

component can be done utilizing the
formulas demonstrated in the examples below. These formulas may
be completed manually, calculated
using common spreadsheet software,
or programmed into more complex
estimating software where assemblies
may be used to quantify reinforcing
steel as part of a complete foundation
concrete package.
Prior to discussing the take-off for
each foundation component, it is important to address waste. If reinforcing
steel members are fabricated off-site,
some allowance may be given to ordering extra pieces and/or straight bars
to allow for culling of materials and
for errors in installation which would
Table 2.2
Sample Footing Schedule
Footing
Mark
Size

otherwise delay the installation. Additionally, waste may be considered for

reinforcing bar supports, bends, hooks,
splices, overlaps and other such bar
specific details as might be required for
the proper fabrication and installation
of the reinforcing steel. For contractors who self-fabricate reinforcing steel,
waste factors will vary greatly depending
on the specific design, ordered material
lengths, and resulting off-cuts. Additionally culled waste may be used by
the self-fabricator to offset some waste.
For the purposes of this paper, we will
assume all reinforcing bars are shipped,
pre-fabricated, allowing for a 5% waste/
cull factor which includes the aforementioned bar specific details.
Spread footings, also called column
and/or pier footings, should be counted
by type. Information regarding reinforcing
members for each footing type is shown
in a footing schedule (see Table 2.2).
For purposes of demonstration, we
will utilize this sample footing schedule
and the partial foundation plan shown in
the appendix, Figure 1.
Two types of spread footings are
examined, starting with spread footing
type F4. Reinforcing bars are noted as
9-#5 E.W. (9 each, #5 bars, each way).
Referring to Figure 2, the typical spread
footing detail, the net length of the longitudinal reinforcing bars in footing F4 is
calculated:
(footing length) (minimum coverage(s)) =net
length of longitudinal bars
7.0 - (3 + 3) = 6.5

Reinforcing

F1

4-0 x 4-0 x 12

5-#5 E.W.

F2

5-0 x 5-0 x 12

6-#5 E.W.

F3

6-0 x 6-0 x 18

8-#5 E.W.

F4

7-0 x 7-0 x 18

9-#5 E.W.

F5

8-0 x 8-0 x 18

8-#6 E.W.

F7

9-0 x 9-0 x 24

10-#6 E.W. T&B

F8

7-0 x SEE PLAN x 24

F9

8-0xSEE PLAN x 24

LW: 7-#6 T&B

SW: #6@10 O.C. T&B
LW: 8-#6 T&B
SW: #6@10 O.C. T&B

The weight of longitudinal bars in footing

F4 is then calculated:
(net length) x (number of
bars) x (weight per linear
foot)
6.5 x 9 bars x 1.043 lbs/lnft
= 61 lbs

The weight of transverse bars is calculated

in the same manor.
For this example, the
length and weight of

longitudinal bars and transverse bars is

the same.
(net length) x (number of bars) x (weight per
linear foot)
(7.0 (3 + 3)) x 9 bars x 1.043 lbs/lnft = 61 lbs

The sample foundation plan indicates

there are 3-each, F4 footings. The resulting total weight of reinforcing steel for
footings type F4 is calculated:
((weight of longitudinal bars) + (weight of transverse bars)) x (number of footings)
(61 lbs + 61 lbs) x 3 each = 366 lbs

For the second example, consider

footing type F8. The same principles
are used in calculating the weight of
reinforcing steel for this footing. Footing type F8, however, has no indicated
length on the footing schedule. Instead
the estimator must reference the foundation plan to determine the length of
footing(s) F8. In this case the length for
the one footing type F8 is 57-0. Longitudinal reinforcing is noted as LW: 7-#6
T&B (long way, 7 each, #6 bars, top and
bottom) and calculated:
(net length) x (number of bars @ top + number of
bars @ bottom) x (weight per linear foot)
(57.0 (3 + 3)) x (7 bars + 7bars) x 1.502 lbs/lnft
= 1,188 lbs

An additional step is required to

calculate the weight of transverse bars in
footing F8. Transverse bars are indicated
as SW: #6@10 OC T&B (short way, #6
bars at 10 on center, top and bottom) for
the length of the footing. Therefore, the
quantity of transverse bars is calculated:
((footing length (minimum coverages)) / bar
spacing) x (number of mats) = quantity of transverse bars
((57.0 (3 + 3)) / 10) x 2 mats = 136 bars

The resulting bar quantity should be

rounded up for both top and bottom
mats, thus allowing that the maximum
bar spacing be no more than 10 as indicated. The weight, then of transverse
bars is calculated:
(net length) x (number of bars) x (weight per
linear foot)
(7.0 (3 + 3)) x 136 bars x 1.502 lbs/lnft =
1,328 lbs

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15

Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

The resulting total weight of reinforcing steel for the footings type F8, having
length 570, is calculated:
((weight of longitudinal bars) + (weight of transverse bars)) x (number of footings)
(1,188 lbs + 1,328 lbs) x 1 each = 2,516 lbs

Note that were there more than one

footing type F8, then reinforcing steel for
each footing length would be calculated
separately as the net length of longitudinal bars and the quantity of transverse
bars would vary.
Finally, refer again to Figure 2. The L
shaped reinforcing bars, or dowels, in
the footing are not taken off as part of
the footing reinforcing. Instead, because
the bar size and quantity is integrated
with the pier design, they are taken-off
with the concrete piers (see subsection
#3 below).
2) STRIP FOOTINGS
The process for estimating reinforcing
steel in strip footings, also known as continuous footings, is very much the same
as for spread footings. The primary
difference in the take-off of strip footings is in the location of the reinforcing
steel design information. Unlike spread
footings, strip footings are not generally
scheduled. Instead they are referenced
by detail.
Referring to the sample foundation
plan, a section cut through the foundation between columns A1 and A2
references Figure 4. Longitudinal bars
are indicated as 6-#5 T & 3-#5 B (6 each,
#5 bars at top and 3 each, #5 bars at bottom). The estimator must either scale
from the foundation plan or add labeled
dimensions to determine the footing
length (in this case, 47-0 long between
columns A1 and A2 only). The weight of
longitudinal reinforcing steel for the strip
footing is calculated:
(net length) x ((number of bars @ top) x (weight
per linear foot)) + ((number of bars @ bottom) x
(weight per linear foot))
(47.0 (0 + 0)) x ((6 bars x 1.043 lbs/lnft) + (3
bars x 1.043 lbs/lnft)) =441 lbs
*note that there are no reductions in the footing
length for minimum coverages since this footing
is bounded on each end by spread footings, thus

16

November 2010

eliminating any exposure of these bars to the

elements.

Next we calculated transverse bars

which are noted as #6@12 (#6 bars at
12 on center). The quantity of transverse bars is calculated:
(net length) / 12 = quantity of transverse bars

ing on concrete strength, rebar size,

and spacing. The use of dowels and lap
splices minimizes the length of exposed
rebar which reduces the risk of damage
to the reinforcing steel. Lap splice calculations are based on ACI 318-02. Table
2.3 shows lap splice lengths for common
shallow foundation design.
Notes:

47.0 / 12 = 47 bars

1. Values are based on Grade 60 reinforcing

bars and normal-weight concrete.

The weight of transverse bars is calculated:

(net length) x (number of bars) x (weight per
linear foot)

2. Compression development lengths and

lap splice lengths are based on ACI 318-02,
Sections 12.3 and 12.16.

(3.0 (3 + 3)) x 47 bars x 1.502 lbs/lnft = 176 lbs

Finally, we must calculate the footing dowels. Unlike the spread footing
dowels which are often estimated as
part of the pier reinforcing, strip footing
dowels are both a function of the strip
footing length (which determines dowel
quantity) as well as the foundation wall
design (which determines bar size). In
some cases, however, the footing dowel
may be tied to reinforcing in a CMU wall
instead of a concrete wall. For that reason, the estimator might be less apt to
miss this reinforcing if it is taken off with
the strip footing.

3. Lengths are in inches.

4. ACI 318-02 does not allow lap splices of
#14 [#43] and #18 [#57] bars.

Utilizing the lap splice lengths for #6

reinforcing bars as scheduled above, the
vertical dimension of the footing dowel
shown in Figure 3 is calculated:

To calculate the dimensions of the

footing dowels, the estimator must
understand lap splices in reinforcing
steel. Lap splices are the most common
method for attaching two pieces of reinforcing steel to form a continuous line of
rebar. The length of laps varies depend-

(footing thickness (minimum coverage(s)at footing) + (minimum coverage(s) at wall) + (lap splice
length)
(18 3 + 3) + 23 = 41 = 3.42

The horizontal dimension is calculated:

(footing offset + wall thickness) - (minimum
coverage(s)at footing) - (minimum coverage(s) at
wall)
(6 + 18) 3 3 = 18 = 1.5

Table 2.3
Grade 60 Rebar, ACI Compression Development and Lap Splice Lengths
Bar
Designation
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#14
#18

Compression Development Lengths per fc

fc=3,000psi
9
11
14
17
19
22
25
28
31
37
50

fc=4,000psi
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
27
32
43

fc=5,000psi
8
9
12
14
16
18
21
23
26
31
41

Lap Splice Length

12
15
19
23
27
30
34
38
43
n/a
n/a

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Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

The weight of each footing dowel is

calculated:
((vertical Leg) + (horizontal Leg)) x (weight per
linear foot)
(3.42 + 1.50) x 1.502 lbs/lnft = 7 lbs

The total weight for footing dowels, is

calculated by finding the number of dowels multiplied by the weight per dowel.
(net length of footing) / (dowel spacing) x (weight
per dowel)
(47.0 / 12) = 47 dowels x 7 lbs = 329 lbs

Finally, the total weight of reinforcing

steel in footing type F8 is calculated:

using the information collected in Table

2.5, we calculate the vertical leg of the
pier dowel:

(18) (3) + (3) + (23) = 41 = 3.42

The length of the horizontal leg of

the pier dowel is calculated using a
minimum dowel length which is usually
specific in the structural notes. This dimension will vary by design, but for shallow foundations, a good rule of thumb is
30 times the bar diameter. In this case,
for #6 bars, the horizontal dowel length
is calculated:
30 x (bar diameter) = minimum dowel length =
horizontal leg length

(441 lbs) + (176 lbs) + (329 lbs) = 946 lbs

30 x .75 = 22.5 = 1.875

Information regarding reinforcing in

piers is scheduled in the same way as
spread footings, although additional
details are often referenced in the pier
schedule (see Table 2.4). For each pier
type, the top and bottom elevation
should be charted individually in order
to calculate the height of the pier and
thereby the length and weight of the
vertical bars and the number of horizontal ties (see Table 2.5). This information may be found on the foundation
plan (noted as T.O.F. and T.O.P.) or by
referencing section cuts and details (see
Figure 4).
For example, refer to the table above
and to the sample foundation plan, to
follow the procedure for estimating reinforcing steel for pier P1 at column C3.
Using the same technique as for strip
footings, pier dowels must be calculated. The size of the pier dowels in a
function of both the pier height and
the dimension of the footing below. In
circumstances where the pier height is
close to or less than the scheduled lap
splice length, the vertical reinforcing
bar and the dowel may be fabricated as
a single piece. For the sake of explaining the take-off in more detail, consider
the vertical bar and dowel separately in
this example. Referring to Figure 5, and

Vertical reinforcing bar weight is

calculated:

(footing depth) - (minimum coverage) + (3) + (lap

splice length)

(weight of longitudinal bars) + (weight of transverse bars) + (weight footing dowels bars)

3) PIERS

(12.0) (3 + 3) = 11.5

The total straight bar length of the pier

dowel and resulting weight of dowels is
calculated:
((vertical leg length) + (horizontal leg length)) x
(number of dowels) x (weight per linear foot)
(3.42 + 1.875) x (8 bars) x (1.502 lbs/lnft) = 64 lbs

Vertical reinforcing bar length including the lap splice at pier dowels is
calculated:
(pier height) - (minimum coverage(s)) = vertical
bar length
Table 2.4
Sample Pier Schedule
Footing
Mark
Size

(vertical bar length) x (number of bars) x (weight

per linear foot)

(11.5) x (8 bars) x 1.502 lbs/lnft =138 lbs

Finally, reinforcing ties, or pier ties are

calculated. Pier ties are rectangular or
square bands of reinforcing steel with
hooks or bends at each end to secure
them to vertical bars. These hooks can
be counted as part of the total length of
the reinforcing tie, or may be assumed,
as in this case, to be included as part
of the established waste factor. The
straight bar length for pier ties at pier P1
is a function of the pier perimeter less
minimum coverages and is calculated:
(((pier dimension A) (minimum coverages)) x 2) +
(((pier dimension B) (minimum coverages)) x 2)
(((2.0) (3 + 3)) x 2) + (((2.0) (3 + 3)) x 2)
= 6.0

Next the number of pier ties is calculated. The height of the pier is divided
by the tie spacing as noted in the pier
schedule. In the case of P1 as shown in
Figure 5, the top 9 of the pier is reserved
for 3 bands at 3 on center. Therefore the
number of standard pier ties is calculated
using the equation below.

Reinforcing
Vertical

Ties

P1

24 x 24

8-#6

#3 @ 12 O.C.

P2

24 x 36

12-#6

#3 @ 12 O.C.

P3

24 x 40

12-#6

#3 @ 12 O.C.

Table 2.5
Pier Type P1 By Location
Pier
Pier
Pier
Dim.
Type
Location
A
P1
B1
20
P1
C1
20
P1
C3
20
P1
D1
20
P1
D4
20
P1
E1
20
P1
E3
20

Pier
Dim.
B
20
20
20
20
20
20
20

Footing
Type
F5
F5
F4
F5
F4
F5
F4

Bottom of
Pier (TF)

Top of
Pier (TP)

82.00
82.00
84.00
82.00
86.00
82.00
86.00

95.50
95.50
96.00
95.50
96.00
95.50
96.00

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Pier
Height
(feet)
13.50
13.50
12.00
13.50
12.00
13.50
12.00

17

Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

((pier height) (minimum coverage) 9) / (band

spacing)
((12.0) (3) ( 9)) / 12 = 11 bands

The weight of pier reinforcing ties is

calculated:
((number of pier ties) + (number of ties in top 9
inches)) x (pier tie length) x (weight per linear feet)
((11 bands) + (3 bands)) x 6.0 x .376 lbs/lnft = 32 lbs

Finally, the total weight of reinforcing

steel in pier P1 at column C3 is calculated:
(weight of pier dowels) + (weight of vertical bars) +
(weight of horizontal pier ties)
(64 lbs) + (138 lbs) + (32 lbs) = 234 lbs

The procedure outlined above should

be complete for each pier type (P1, P2,
P3, etc.) and for each varying height. This
can be time consuming, so the estimator is encouraged to group like piers with
matching heights whenever possible.
4) FOUNDATION WALLS
Design data for foundation walls is
most often found in foundation details.
Sometimes, however, foundation walls
may be schedules similarly to spread
footings and piers. Referring to the
sample foundation plan, we consider the
take-off of foundation walls between columns lines A1 and A2, shown in section
at Figure 4. Measuring the walls length
from the foundation plan, we find it is
47-0 long.
The quantity of horizontal reinforcing
bars at each face of the foundation wall
is calculated:
((top of wall elevation) - (top of footing elevation)
(minimum coverage(s))) / (bar spacing)
(95.50 82.00 (3 + 3)) / 12 = 13 bars

Horizontal reinforcing bars in long

foundation components are subject to
lap splices every 20 or 60 feet depending
on the material length shipped. Since 20
foot bars are more commonly used and
easier to handle, we assume splices at
200 on center.
(wall length) / 200 = (number of splices) x (lap
splice length) = (total length of splices)
47.0 / 200 = 2 laps x 15 = 2.5

Since the detail indicates horizontal

18

November 2010

reinforcing in each face of the foundation wall, the weight of reinforcing can
be calculated:

reinforcing steel. The basic steps are:

((number of bars) x (number of faces) x (wall

length + length of splices) x (weight per linear foot)

2. Determine reinforcing bar types

(verticals, horizontals, ties, dowels, etc.)

(13 bars) x (2 faces) x (47.0 + 2.5) x .668 lbs/lnft

= 860 lbs

The presence of a brick ledge at the

outside face of the sample wall requires
that vertical reinforcing bars be estimated separately for each face. The weight
of vertical bars on the exterior face of
the wall is calculated by first determining
the number of vertical bars
(wall length) / (vertical bar spacing)
(47.0) / 12 = 47 bars

Vertical bars weight is calculated:

(wall height) +(bar overlap at brick ledge)
(minimum coverages) x (number of bars) x (weight
per lineal foot)
((13.5) + (3.0) (3 + 3)) x (47 bars) x 1.502
lbs/lnft = 1,130 lbs

The weight of vertical bars on the interior face of the wall is calculated by first
determining the number of vertical bars.

1. Locate pertinent details for each

foundation component

3. Calculate each bar type length

4. Multiply bar length by scheduled
quantities and by weight per linear foot
5. Tally results and add waste factor(s) to
determine total weight per foundation
component
This process is the same for both
simple and complex foundation systems.
With practice, the estimator will develop
a systematic approach to this take-off and
be able to tackle more complex systems.

Overview of Labor,
Material, Accessory,
& Other Costs
The total price for reinforcing steel is a
combined total value of reinforcing steel
labor, reinforcing steel material, and
reinforcing steel accessories. Individual
contractor equipment costs, mark-ups,
and indirect costs will also play a factor.

(wall length) / (vertical bar spacing)

(47.0) / 12 = 47 bars

Vertical bar weight is calculated:

(wall height) (minimum coverages) x (number of
bars) x (weight per lineal foot)
((13.5) (3 + 3)) x (47 bars) x 1.502 lbs/lnft =
918 lbs

As noted in subsection 2 above, wall

footing dowels are calculated as part of
the strip footing take-off. Therefore, the
total weight of reinforcing steel in the
foundation wall is calculated:

Labor Costs
Labor costs are primarily a function of
production rates and should be calculated and weighted to account for project
size, repetitive details, and current
market conditions. The best measure of
labor costs is to acquire competitive bids.
Reinforcing steel labor is generally quoted as a lump sum amount but
should be analyzed at a yielded cost per
ton. Some circumstances which may
result in premium costs for labor are:

(weight of horizontal reinforcing) + (weight of vertical reinforcing at exterior face) + (weight of vertical
reinforcing at interior face)
(860 lbs) + (1,130 lbs) + (918 lbs) = 2,908 lbs

Material Takeoff
Summary
The examples above, though different in some ways, represent a common
process for estimating the weight of

Field vs. shop fabrication

Project complexity
Project size
Mechanical or welded splices,
rather than lap splices

Material Costs
Extreme market volatility in recent
decades makes the cost of reinforcing
steel material difficult to project. In the
past 15 years, reinforcing steel has seen
more than a 300% increase in material

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Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

cost. Due to the extreme consolidation

of the steel industry, major steel producers have not cut prices significantly in
response to lower demand starting in
2009. Competition among smaller fabrication shops and local distributors has
helped overcome some of the material
cost inflation.
Factors which affect material cost
include:

Overseas demand
Mill production capacity
Competition
Recycled content

tools used in reinforcing steel placement should generally be considered

expendable and may be assumed part
of general conditions costs (clamps, wire
cutters, pliers, etc.)
For the contractor who self performs
resteel fabrication, the investment in
rod benders, cutters, and sometimes
mechanized fabrication systems can be
significant. The cost of these items are
beyond the scope of this article, but
should be considered when developing a
total material rate for fabricated bars.

Ratios & Analysis

Once completed, all take-off quantities
should be compiled in a recapitulation
sheet (see table 4.1). Weights should be
subtotaled by location (spread footings,
strip footings, piers, walls, etc.). The
experienced estimator should develop
a series of checks using historically established rules-of-thumb to assess the
total project quantities. Such measures
can be developed as weight per cubic
yard of concrete, weight per square foot
of wall area, or percentage of total foundation volume.

To mitigate risk, the experienced estimator should solicit current, market driven
pricing for reinforcing steel materials.
Accessory Costs
In addition to reinforcing steel, material accessories must be considered as
part of the overall project cost. Reinforcing steel accessories include:
Tie wire used to connect lap splices and tie
vertical & horizontal bars together.
Bar ties precut wire drawn and annealed
from high-quality rod. Used as a quick
method of tying reinforcing steel.
Bar supports used to elevate reinforcing
bars above formed footing bottom. Supports
can be in the form of plastic chairs, concrete
bricks, or synthetic support blocks
Rebar caps used to protect workmen from
exposed rebar dowels protruding from concrete foundations. Required by OSHA.

Material prices for reinforcing accessories will fluctuate as with other steel
products. However, a good rule of thumb
is that accessories for shallow foundation
reinforcing steel should be between 1.5%
and 2.5% of total material cost.
Other Costs
Tools and equipment are other costs
that should be considered in the final
pricing of the reinforcing steel. For contractors who purchase reinforcing steel
pre-fabricated, these costs are minimal.
The only equipment which might be
used in the field for placing bars is hoisting equipment which is generally not a
major factor when considering shallow
foundations. For the most part, the

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Estimate the Cost of: Reinforcing Steel in Shallow Foundations

Specific Factors
Affecting Take-off
and Pricing
Types and Grades of
Reinforcing Steel
While the focus of this article is the
analysis of deformed carbon steel reinforcing bars, other types of reinforcing
materials are used. The same concepts
are used to calculate the weight of
these other bars, however, the weights
per piece of these materials as well as
at the resulting total tonnage and unit
cost will vary. ASTM specifications for
common types of reinforcing bars which
might be encountered in shallow foundations include:
ASTM A82: Plain Steel Wire for Concrete
Reinforcement
ASTM A184/A184M: Fabricated Deformed Steel Bar Mats for Reinforcement
ASTM A185: Welded Plain Steel Wire
Fabric for Concrete Reinforcement
ASTM A496: Steel Wire for Concrete
Reinforcement
ASTM A497: Welded Deformed Steel
Wire Fabric for Concrete Reinforcement
ASTM A615/A615M: Deformed and
plain carbon-steel bars for reinforcement
ASTM A616/A616M: Rail-Steel Deformed and Plain Bars for Reinforcement
ASTM A617/A617M: Axle-Steel Deformed and Plain Bars for Reinforcement
ASTM A706/A706M: Low-alloy steel deformed and plain bars for reinforcement
ASTM A767/A767M: Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Bars for Reinforcement
ASTM A775/A775M: Epoxy-Coated Reinforcing Steel Bars
ASTM A934/A934M: Epoxy-Coated Prefabricated Steel Reinforcing Bars
ASTM A955: Deformed and plain stainlesssteel bars for concrete reinforcement
ASTM A996: Rail-steel and axle-steel
deformed bars for concrete reinforcement
Other Considerations
As with any estimate, special details
can greatly influence project cost and

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therefore break from the norm for costs

and weight ratios. Due to the implied
simplicity of shallow foundations, they
are perhaps less likely to be subject to
these abnormalities, but the estimator
should always be aware that careful consideration of the project details should
be paramount. Some common details
which may significantly increase costs
include:
Epoxy Dowels - Often used to tie existing
foundations to new foundations
Welded connections Though highly
uncommon due to the reduced fatigue
life of the bars, welding will influence labor rates significantly as well as material
costs as very few grades of reinforcing
steel are suitable for welding.
Mechanical splices Where lap splices
are not allowed, other methods of joining two pieces of reinforcing steel may be
used. Mechanical splices which include
threaded couplers, ribbed couplers, and
bolted couplers. These methods of splicing can required preparation of bar ends
and will greatly increase labor costs.

Multipliers As many of the foundation

details require bar and piece counts, the
estimator should not lose sight of component counts. A footing with 5 reinforcing bars should be taken-off as a weight
per each footing and then multiplied by
the footing count. This last step can be
forgotten if the estimator gets too immersed in the details.
Drawing coordination The estimator
should be aware that not all information
regarding reinforcing steel is found in the
structural plans. Review of all contract
documents is necessary for a complete
and accurate estimate.
Estimators should take advantage of
peer review whenever available. Furthermore, developing routine through
practice will reduce possible errors in the
quantity survey of shallow foundation
reinforcing steel.

Sample drawings
And details

Specific Risk
Considerations

Figures 1 5 Include:

The experienced estimator will

develop a methodology for calculating
rebar quantities. Adhering to established
conventions will help avoid errors and
insure the validity of the take-off. Some
common errors which should be avoided
include:

2. Typical Spread Footing Detail

1. Sample Foundation Plan

3. Strip Footing Detail Enlargement
4. Foundation Wall Section
5. Foundation Pier Detail

Converting feet and inches The variety

of details and tables that must be used
to develop a complete take-off will often
combine measurements in feet (footing
sizes) with measurements in inches (bar
spacing). Being aware that accuracy
depends heavily on converting values to
a common convention will avoid errors in
the estimate.
Converting pounds to tons Similarly,
combining multiple quantity surveys for
each foundation component is necessary
to establish an overall project weight for
reinforcing steel. The estimator should
be careful to combine quantities whose
unit measure is the same (convert all or
none of subtotaled values to tonnage).

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November 2010

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