As a civil engineer, calculating the quantity of concrete used in a slab is an essential part of the building process. To help provide a better understanding of this process, this blog article outlines the various steps and methods that can be used to accurately calculate concrete quantity in a slab. Using this guide, civil engineers can maximize the efficiency of their projects and ensure that they are getting the most out of their resources.
When it comes to calculating the quantity of concrete needed for a slab, there are a few different methods that can be used. The first and most common method is to simply multiply the length, width, and depth of the slab. This will give you the total volume of concrete needed for the job. However, it is important to note that this method does not take into account the voids that will be present in the finished product.
Another method that can be used to calculate concrete quantity is known as the average loss method. This method takes into account the voids that will be present in the finished product and adjusts the volume accordingly. To use this method, simply multiply the length, width, and depth of the slab and then subtract the estimated volume of voids. This will give you a more accurate representation of the concrete quantity needed.
whichever method you choose to use, it is important that you calculate the concrete quantity accurately. This will help to ensure that your project is completed efficiently and that you are not wasting any resources. With a little bit of planning and a good understanding of the methods available, any civil engineer can easily calculate the concrete quantity needed for their next project.
In addition, attentions shall be made to the volume of the other elements such as beams. Beams are required considerable volume of concrete. Therefore, the total length of the beams shall be multiplied by the cross section area of beam after deducting the area cover from the slab.
More importantly, it is required to consider the increase in the volume of concrete due to the following reasons.
- Change the slab thickness with the lowering of the shuttering
- Compaction of the concrete
- Loss of concrete due to breakdowns of formworks
Accordingly, it is the common practical to over higher quantity than the calculated volume. For small slabs, it would be about 0.5 – 1.0 m3. For larger slabs, this will vary, and the required quantity would be decided towards at the end of the concreting.