Volume of

Weight of Weight of reinforcement

oncrete building Share of steel of
reinforcement reinforcement in m3/m3
element total structure %
in kg/m3 in lb/ft3 (dependent on
the exact steel)
Bases 90–130 5.6–8.1 0.012-0.017 1.2 - 1.7 % 
Beams 250–350 15.6–21.8 0.032-0.045 3.2 - 4.5 %
Capping beams 135 8.4 0.017 1.7 %
Columns 200-450 12.4-28 0.025-0.057 2.5 - 5.7 %
Ground beams 230-330 14.3-20.6 0.029-0.042 2.9 - 4.2 %
Footings 70-100 4.3-6.2 0.009-0.042 0.9 - 4.2 %
Pile Caps 110-150 6.8–9.3 0.014-0.019 1.4 - 1.9 %
Plate slabs 95–135 5.9–8.4 0.012-0.017 1.2 - 1.7 %
Rafts 115 7.1 0.015 1.5 %
Retaining walls 110–150 6.8–9-3 0.014-0.019 1.4 - 1.9 %
Ribbed floor slabs 80–120 5–7.4 0.010-0.015 1 - 1.5 %
Slabs – one way 75–125 4.6–7.8 0.010-0.016 1 - 1.6 %
Slabs – two way 67–135 4.1–8.4 0.009-0.017 0.9 - 1.7 %
Stairs 130–170 8.1–10.6 0.017-0.022 1.7 - 2.2 %
Tie beams 130–170 8.1–10.6 0.017-0.022 1.7 - 2.2 %
Transfer slabs 150 9.3 0.019 1.9 %
Walls – normal 70–100 4.3–6.2 0.009-0.013 0.9 - 1.3 %
Walls – wind 90–150 5.6-9.3 0.011-0.019 1.1 - 1.9 %

 Average quantity in Finland

List of typical steel amounts used in different kind of structures and elements (please
note that these are average values, in reality, there is variance). All the quantities are
shown per m3 of concrete. The typical density of concrete is approximately 2400 kg /m3.
Tendon* = high strength low allow steel, typically used for instance in pre-stressed
concrete elements, this steel grade is likely to contain more virgin steel Rebar steel* =
basic steel used for concrete reinforcement.

 Pre-stressed concrete beam: 30 kg of tendon and 30 kg of normal rebar steel

 Reinforced concrete beam: 100 kg of normal rebar steel
 Column: 100 kg of normal rebar steel
 Hollow-core concrete slab**: 10 kg tendon
 Wall, internal element (for instance 180 mm): 35 kg of normal rebar steel
 Wall, external layer (for instance 70 mm): 80 kg of normal rebar steel or stainless steel
 Balcony (for instance 260 mm): 125 kg of normal rebar steel