Bar Bending Schedule: Slab, Beam, Column, Footing
A bar bending schedule (BBS) lists every reinforcement bar by mark, shape, diameter, count, cutting length and weight. Below are four worked examples, for a slab, beam, column and footing, with each cutting length, bar count and weight calculated step by step.
Weights use D²/162 kg/m. Link lengths use the site approximations 45° = 1d, 90° = 2d and 135° = 3d for bend deductions, with a hook of max(10d, 75 mm); IS 2502, SP 34 and IS 13920 govern the approved bar shapes. These are worked quantities, not reinforcement designs. For the BBS format and full form, start with the BBS guide.
BBS of slab
One 3,050 × 6,050 × 150 mm slab panel, supported on its two long sides. The table covers its two straight bottom-mesh marks only. Support anchorage, top bars, opening bars and chairs are excluded.
113.85 kg for the shown marks
See drawing, calculations and schedule →
BBS of beam
One 230 × 450 mm beam with a 4,000 mm clear span. B1 is three 16 mm bottom bars; B2 is two 12 mm top bars. Each runs straight 800 mm past each support face. B3 is an 8 mm closed stirrup at 200 mm maximum spacing along the whole span.
46.67 kg for the shown marks
See drawing, calculations and schedule →
BBS of column
One 350 × 350 mm column segment, 3,000 mm high, with four 20 mm corner bars and 8 mm rectangular ties. Each vertical bar carries one 1,000 mm lap. Cover is 40 mm to the outside of the ties.
49.05 kg for the shown marks
See drawing, calculations and schedule →
BBS of footing
One 2,100 × 2,100 × 450 mm isolated footing with 50 mm edge and bottom cover. The bottom mesh is straight 12 mm bars at 150 mm maximum spacing both ways. Only these two bottom-mesh marks are included.
53.33 kg for the shown marks
See drawing, calculations and schedule →
Watch: BBS full form and steel weight
BBS full form: bar bending schedule and steel weight
BBS stands for bar bending schedule: a bar-by-bar list of shape, diameter, cutting length, count and weight. Steel weight is about D²/162 kg per metre (D in mm), so a 12 mm bar 6 m long weighs about 5.33 kg.
Watch on: YouTube
What to check before issuing a BBS
Check that every bar on the drawings appears once, with its shape, cover, spacing zone and lap. Read plans, sections and the latest revision together. Keep theoretical steel, ordered stock and scrap as separate figures.
On hooks, the beam and column pages show where the 10d extension of IS 13920:1993 differs from the 8d of the amended IS 13920:2016.
Bar bending schedule FAQs
What does a bar bending schedule show?
A BBS identifies each reinforcement bar's member, mark, shape, diameter, count, cutting length and weight. The shape and drawing revision must stay with the quantity record.
Are these examples structural designs?
No. They are worked quantity examples with stated covers, sizes, spacings and exclusions. Build from your approved drawings.
What is in the downloadable workbook?
Four sheets: Slab, Beam, Column and Footing. Change the dimensions on any sheet and the counts, cutting lengths, total metres, weights and diameter totals recalculate.