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Steel & Rebar

Cutting Length Calculations for Reinforcement Bars

Five worked examples that show how bend deductions turn the leg lengths of a bar into the length you actually cut.

Calculating the cutting length of rebar is essential for determining the amount of reinforcement required for various structural elements like beams, columns, slabs, and footings. Here are the steps to calculate the cutting length of rebar for different types of bends and shapes:

Basic Steps for Calculating Cutting Length

  1. Identify the Shape of the Rebar:
    • Straight bar
    • Bent bar (L-shape, U-shape, etc.)
    • Stirrups or ties
  2. Gather the Required Measurements:
    • Lengths of straight segments
    • Angles and radii of bends
  3. Use Standard Formulas for Bends:
    • For each bend, a bend deduction must be subtracted from the sum of the out-to-out segment lengths (1D for a 45° bend, 2D for a 90° bend).
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1. Straight Bar

The simplest case is a straight bar with no bends.

Cutting Length=Total Length of the Bar

Example:

  • Length of the bar: 6 meters

Cutting Length=6 meters

2. L-Shape Bar (90-degree bend)

For a bar with a single 90-degree bend, we need to subtract the bend deduction.

Given

  • Lengths: A=500 mm, B=600 mm
  • Diameter (D): 12 mm

Bend Deduction Calculation

The bend deduction for a 90-degree bend is:

Bend Deduction=2×D

Bend Deduction=2×12=24 mm

Total Cutting Length

Cutting Length=A+B−Bend Deduction

Cutting Length=500+600−24=1076 mm

3. U-Shape Bar

For a bar with two 90-degree bends (U-shape):

Given

  • Lengths: A=300 mm, B=400 mm, C=300 mm
  • Diameter (D): 12 mm

Bend Deduction Calculation

Same as above, for each 90-degree bend:

Bend Deduction=2×12=24 mm

Total Cutting Length

Cutting Length=A+B+C−2×Bend Deduction

Cutting Length=300+400+300−2×24=1000−48=952 mm

4. Stirrups

Stirrups are closed loop bars with multiple bends. Typically, they have 4 corners (90-degree bends).

Given

  • Lengths: A=200 mm, B=300 mm
  • Diameter (D): 10 mm

Bend Deduction Calculation

Same as above, for each 90-degree bend:

Bend Deduction=2×10=20 mm

Total Cutting Length

Cutting Length=2×(A+B)−4×Bend Deduction

Cutting Length=2×(200+300)−4×20

Cutting Length=2×500−80=1000−80=920 mm

5. Bent-Up Bar

For bars bent up at an angle (commonly 45 degrees in beams):

Given

  • Lengths: A=1000 mm, B=1000 mm
  • Inclination Angle: 45 degrees
  • Diameter (D): 16 mm

Bend Deduction Calculation

The bend deduction for a 45-degree bend is:

Bend Deduction=1×D

Bend Deduction=1×16=16 mm

Hypotenuse Calculation

For the bent portion, calculate the hypotenuse of the right triangle:

Bent Length=√(A²+B²)

Bent Length=1414.2 mm

Total Cutting Length

Cutting Length=Bent Length−2×Bend Deduction

Cutting Length=1414.2−2×16=1414.2−32=1382.2 mm

Conclusion

These calculations ensure that you account for the bend deduction at every bend, ensuring accurate cutting lengths for different shapes of rebar. Always refer to local codes and standards for specific requirements and modifications.