Lengt h of Hook’ s in St i rru p s:

We generally consider length of hook = 10 D (for bars having diameter greater than
or equals to 8mm)

Where d → Diameter of stirrup

Is code recommends, Minimum hook length = 75 mm

fig:- Hook in stirrup

Bend Length

The bend length defines “the length you will need to add to the actual leg lengths of
the part in order to get the flat pattern cut to a correct size”.

For 45 degree bend, length of reinforced bar increase by 1 d

For 90 degree bend, length reinforced bar increase by 2 d

For 135 degree bend, length reinforced bar increase by 3d

For 180 degree bend, length reinforced bar increase by 1d

Example: -

Q:- Calculate the cutting length of the stirrups given in fig 1. Clear cover of beam is 25 mm

fig 1 : Cross section of beam

Ans:-

Given data:

Clear cover = 25 mm

Depth of beam = 450 mm

Width of beam = 300 mm

Diameter of stirrup =8 mm

Cutting length of stirrup = 2a+2b + (2 x Hook length) – Bend deduction

Where,

a= Width of beam – (2 x clear cover) – ( 2 x Half of diameter of bar)

b= Depth of beam – (2 x clear cover) – ( 2 x Half of diameter of bar)

Therefore,

a= 300 – (2 x 25) – (2 x 4) = 242 mm

b= 450 – (2 x 25) – (2 x 4) = 392 mm

Length of hook (Development length) = 10 d = 10×8 = 80 mm

Bend deductions:

90 degree bent –> 3 no’s

For 90 degree bend, length reinforced bar increase by 2 d

i.e., Bend length = 3 x (2×8) = 3×16 = 48 mm

135 degree bent –> 2 no’s

For 135 degree bend, length reinforced bar increase by 3d

i.e., Bend length = 2 x (3×8) = 2 x 24 = 48 mm

∴ Cutting length of stirrup = (2×242) + (2×392) + (2×80) – (48+48) = 1428 – 96 = 1332 mm

Why hook is provided in stirrups

Hook is provided in stirrups for the following reasons:

1. To prevent from buckling of column.

2. The main requirement for safety against bond failure is to provide a sufficient extension
of the length of the bar beyond the point where the steel is required to develop its yield
stress and this length must be at least equal to its development length. However, if the
 actual available length is inadequate for full development, special anchorages must be
provided, such as cogs or hooks or mechanical end plates.
3. Hooks are provided for to resist seismic movement.
4. To prevent concrete from splitting outward.
5. It prevent slippage of steel from the concrete.
6. To Keep longitudinal steel bars in position and hold steel tightly.

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How to calculate Cutting length of Stirrups in Beam and column.

Different shapes of bars have different cutting length. In this post, we are going to
explain you about “How to calculate or find the cutting length of Stirrups for different
shapes”.

Remember,

The transverse reinforcement provided in Column is called Ties and the transverse
reinforcement provided in Beam is called Stirrups. But on-site, we usually call both
transverse reinforcements as Stirrups.
The prime reason for providing the stirrups in the beam is for shear requirements and
to keep the longitudinal bars in position. If you wanted to know more about the why
stirrups & ties provided in the beam and column you can refer here
Deducting the concrete cover is most important in Bar bending, if you dont know how
to deduct the concrete cover then refer this post

Concrete Cover deductions in Beams, Columns, Slab, Footings

Contents [show]

Steps involved in finding the cutting length of stirrups:-

1. Look at the size of column or beam from drawings
2. Adopt Dia of the bar (generally 8mm Dia is used for stirrups)
3. Deduct the concrete cover or clear cover
4. Find the total outer length of stirrup after deducting concrete cover.
5. Add the length of the hook to the length of the stirrup
6. Deduct the length of bends
7. Use below formula to find the total cutting length of stirrups
Formula:
Cutting Length of Stirrups = Perimeter of Shape + Total hook length – Total Bend
Length

Important Basic formulas:

Perimeter of Rectangle = 2 ( length + breadth)

Perimeter of Square = 4 x side length

Perimeter of circle or Circumference of Circle = 2πr = πd (r= radius, d= Diameter of

Circle)

Typical Diagram of Stirrup:-

Refer the below image of the typical diagram of stirrup for clear understanding about
x & y length, bends, hooks and concrete cover.
In the above image, there are 5 bends at 4 corners, 2 hooks and concrete cover
around the stirrup.
x = length of the stirrup in the x-direction after deducting concrete cover &
y = length of the stirrup in the y-direction after deducting concrete cover.

Important standards used in Bends & Hooks:

The below standards are most important in calculating the hook length and bend
lengths at corners while finding cutting length of stirrups.

 1 Hook length = 9d or 75mm

 45° Bend length = 1d
 90° Bend length = 2d
 135° Bend length = 3d
Remember, d = Diameter of Bar
Cutting length for Rectangular Stirrups:-
Rectangular column or rectangular beam is the most commonly used shape of the
column in any construction. In this shape of beam or column, a rectangular stirrup is
usually adopted.
 1. Considering the below Rectangular column size 230mm x 450mm for calculation
purpose

2. Adopting Dia of Bar used for stirrups is 8mm

3. Deducting the concrete cover 20mm from all sides
x = 230 – 20-20 = 190mm
y = 450-20-20 = 410mm

4. Total Length of the hooks:

From fig, There are two hooks which means 9d+9d = 18d
5. Total Length of Bends:
From above fig, There are 3 bends which are bent at an angle of 90 0 and two
bends are bent at an angle of 1350
Total bend length = 3 x 900 Bend length + 2 x 1350 Bend length = 3 x 2d + 2 x 3d
= 12d = 12 x 8 = 96mm
Total Cutting length of Rectangular Stirrup = Perimeter of Rectangle + Total Hook
length – Total Bend Length
= 2 (x+y) +18d – 12d = 2(190 + 410) + 18 x 8 – 12 x 8 = 1248mm = 1.248m
Cutting length for Square Stirrups:-
1. Considered the column size as 450mm x 450mm

2. Adopting Dia of Bar used for stirrups is 8mm

3. Deducting the concrete cover 25mm from all sides (in square all sides are equal)
x = 450- 20-20 = 410mm
y = 450-20-20 = 410mm, Hence x = y (in square all sides are equal)

4. Total Length of the hook:

There are two hooks which mean 9d+9d = 18d
5. Total length of Bends:
There are 3 bends which are bent at an angle of 90 0 and one is bent at an angle
of 1350.
Total bend length = 3 x 900 Bend length + 2 x 1350 Bend length = 3 x 2d + 2 x 3d
 = 12d = 12 x 8 = 96mm

Total Cutting length of Square Stirrup = Perimeter of Square + Total Hook length –
Total Bend Length
= 4 x 410 +18d – 12d = 1648mm = 1.64m
Cutting Length for Circular Stirrup:
1. Considered the column dia as D = 1000mm
2. Adopting Dia of Bar used for stirrups is d =8mm
 3. Deducting the concrete cover from diameter of column
D = 1000-25-25 = 950mm

4. Circumference length of Ring = πD = 950 x 3.14 = 2983mm

5. Total Length of the hook:
There are two hooks which means 9d+9d= 18d
6. Total Length of Bends:
There are 2 bends which are bent at an angle of 135 0
Total bend length = 2 x 1350 Bend length = 2 x 3d = 6d= 6 x 8 = 48mm
Total Cutting length of Circular Stirrup or Ring = Circumference of Circle + Total Hook
length – Total Bend Length
= 2983 +18d – 6d =3079mm =3.07m
Cutting Length for Triangular Stirrups:
1. Considered the Column size 400mm x 450mm

2. Adopting Dia of Bar used for stirrups is d = 8mm

3. Deducting the concrete cover 25mm from all sides
x = 400-20-20 = 360mm
y = 450-20-20 = 410mm
From Pythagorean theorem,
Hypotenuse2=(Opposite)2 + (Adjacent)2
 look at 2nd triangle in above image
H2=(x/2)2 + y2
H2=1802 + 4102 => = √(447)2 = 447mm
The total length of stirrup till now = 2 x H + 360 = 2 x 447 + 360 = 1254mm
4. Total Length of the hooks:
There are two hooks which means 9d+9d= 18d

5. Total length of Bends:

There are 4 bends which are bent at an angle of 1350
Total bend length =4 x 1350 Bend length= 4 x 3d = 12d= 12 x 8 = 96mm
Total Cutting length of Triangular Stirrup = Perimeter of Triangle + Total Hook length –
Total Bend Length
= 1254+18d – 12d = 1302mm = 1.3m
Cutting Length for Diamond Stirrups:
1. Considered the Column size 400mm x 400mm

2. Adopting Dia of Bar used for stirrups is d = 8mm

3. Deducting the concrete cover 25mm from all sides
x = 400-20-20 = 360mm
y = 400-20-20 =360mm

From Pythagorean theorem,

Hypotenuse2=(Opposite)2 + (Adjacent)2
H2=(x/2)2 +( y/2)2
H2=1802 + 1802 => = √(254)2 = 254mm
4. The total length of stirrup = 4 x H =4 x 254 = 1016mm
5. Total Length of the hook:
There are two hooks which means 9d+9d= 18d
6. Total length of Bends:
There are 3 bends which are bent at an angle of 90 0 + 2 bends which are bent at
an angle of 1350
Total bend length = 3 x 900 Bend length + 2 x 1350 Bend length= 3 x 2d + 2 x 3d =
12d = 12 x 8 = 96mm
Total Cutting length of Diamond Stirrup = Perimeter of Diamond shape + Total Hook
length – Total Bend Length
= 1016+144-96 = 1064mm = 1.064mm