Which is the main bar and which is the distribution

bar in a RCC slab?

11 Answers

Bharat Kumar, +2 years in field job.

Answered Oct 16, 2016

Main reinforcement is provided in shorter span to resist the bending moment and
distribution reinforcement is provided in longer span for temperature change n other minor
changes.

IS 456:2000 suggest min reinforcement in slab should b 0.15% of slab area in case of mild
steel bars and 0.12% of slab area in case of HYSD bars.

G Srikanth, Integrated B.Tech&M.Tech Civil Engineering & Social Psychology, Lovely

Professional University- LPU (2019)
Updated Apr 20, 2018

The bars on shorter side is main and on longer side is distribution bars .
=> In case of square type of Slab both main& distribution bars both are same
=> In case of rectangular shorter side get main and longer side get distribution bars
respectively

Its simple concept to remember main bars are always for support and distribution bars it
self explaining its distributing the load !!
So , distribution bars distribute the load to main bars and main bars to beams to columns to
foundation respectively :)

Deepankar Pareek, Workin as a Civil Engineer in L&T Constructions

Answered Oct 16, 2016

Main bar in a slab is provided for the span having higher bending stresses while distribution
bars are given for the span having lower bending moment to resist the temperature and
creep stresses.
Kiran Koraddi, Civil and structural engineering
Answered Oct 14, 2016

Bars placed parallel to longer span in one way slab are distribution steel. These are place
above the main steel - bars parallel to shorter span. In two way slab there is no distribution
steel, the main steel is place in both directions which itself can handle the secondary stress.

Ankit Yaduvanshi, studied Civil Engineering

Updated Feb 10, 2017

Main bars are main reinforcement which is provided according to the bending moment
calculations mostly used to designate reinforcement bars for bending moment in short span

Distribution bars are minimum reinforcement which is to be provided mostly designated for
bars for pendicular direction to main bars i.e for longer span the basic purpose of this
reinforcement is to overcome temperature and shrinkage stress as the surface area of slab is
more so shrinkage and temperature stresses are high

Shubhum Sharma, Civil engineer

Answered Oct 21, 2016

Main bar actually is that reinfrcmnt which actually resist bendings etc . but distribution
reinfrcmnt is used to hold the main bar so that due to temperature increment the expansion
remains under control

Geetha D, BE Civil Engineering & Teaching, Anna University, Tamil Nadu, India (2018)
Answered Aug 15, 2017

Main Bars:

Horizontal bars are main bars, This are longer diameter and o provided in shorter span so it
resist the bending.
Distribution bars:

vertical bars are distribution bars,This are shorter diameter and to rovided in longer
span.this are distribute the load to main bars.

Praful R
Answered Aug 13, 2017

Main and distriibution bars are applicable for oneway slab. Means longer length to shorter
length ratio are more than 2.0. In this condition theoretically moments and shears are along
the shorter direction. So Main reinforcement are provided along shorter direction and mini.
Reinforcement provided along longer direction as distribution reinforcement for temparture
and shrinkage.

Hope this answer will help you.

Pratik Vyas, What goes around, comes around.

Answered Oct 13, 2016

There are two major types of RCC slabs :-

1. One way slab

2. Two way slab
In case of one way slab the shorter span is provided with main reinforcement and the longer
span is provided with distribution reinforcement which is generally 0.12% to 0.15% of the
Gross Cross sectional area of slab.

Where in case of two way slab both the spans are provided with main reinforcement.

Regards.

Calvin Paul, Water Resources Engineer

Answered Oct 15, 2016

Try to picture the bending of the RCC member. On one surface the material will be in
compression and at the opposite surface the material will be in tension. You have to provide
main steel in the side where surface is in tension as concrete has poor tensile strength.
Distribution bars will be in opposite side where surface is in compression. In most cases the
slab is in a sagging state so Main steel is in soffit , it is not the same with rafts.
Rajeswari Animireddy, concrete is weak in tension so to resist tension bars are provided
Answered Oct 21, 2016

for one way slab where (lx/ly>2) the Main reinforcement is provided in shorter span to
resist the bending moment and distribution reinforcement is provided in longer span for
temperature change and other minor changes.

for two way slab main reinforcement provide in both the directions.