How to calculate the Concrete volume required and cost for Beams, Columns and Slabs

Volume of concrete is the total quantity of combination of materials required to make the structural components like beams, columns, slabs, foundations etc.  Beams are the horizontal members in the structure used to take the loads from the slab related to the gravity loads. Columns are the vertical members used to take the vertical loads from the beams and to transmit to footing. The main purpose of the slab is to take the live loads and to transfer to beam. In this article you will able to learn about how to calculate the volume and cost of concrete required to make beams, columns and slabs etc.

The above specified images shows the typical floor plan and  column center to center distance plan which are considered in this article to calculate the volume and cost of the concrete required. From these models it will be consisting of 16 numbers of assumed 16”X9” (approximately 0.4mX0.23m) columns and 4 number of assumed 9”X9” (approximately 0.23mX0.23m) columns. And it consisting of 12 horizontal beams and 15 vertical beams in X and Y direction.   With horizontal distance as 66’3” (approximately 20.20meters) and with vertical distance of 35’0” (approximately 10.66meters).

The following is the geometric data considered for the volume and cost of the concrete

1. Plan Size – 20.20mX10.66m
2. Columns – 0.4mX0.23m and 0.23mX023m
3. Slab size -20.20mX10.66m
4. Beam seize – 0.23mX0.36m

Volume of concrete required for the beam

Here total numbers of beams are 27 in which X direction contains 12 numbers and Y direction contains 15 numbers. The length of the beam in horizontal is 20.20 meters and width direction is 10.66 meters. All beams contain 0.23mX0.36m dimensions. The below specified formulae calculation is adopted for the calculation of the volume of the concrete for beams.

Volume of concrete for beams = Cross section of the beam X length of the beam

= 0.23mX0.36m X (6X10.66+3X20.20)

=10.3135m³

In this 6 number of the horizontal grids exists and 3 numbers vertical grids exists for the beam

By adding extra 10% wastage we can get the total value as 11.35 m³

Volume of concrete required for the beam

Here in this plan there exist 16 numbers of 0.4mX0.23m columns and 4 numbers of 0.23mX0.23m columns and each column height is taken as 3m (approximately 10 feet). The below specified formulae calculation is adopted for the calculation of the volume of the concrete for columns.

Volume of concrete for columns= Number of columns X Cross section of the column X length of the columns

=(16X 0.23mX0.4m+4X0.23mX0.23m) X 3

=5.06m³

By adding extra 10% wastage we can get the total value as 5.566 m³

Volume of concrete required for the slab

Here in this plan there exists 20.20mX10.66m with 0.15m thickness. The below specified formulae calculation is adopted for the calculation of the volume of the concrete for slab.

Volume of concrete for slabs= Area of the slab X thickness of slab

=20.20mX10.66mX0.15m

=32.30 m³

By adding extra 10% wastage we can get the total value as 35.53 m³

Cost calculation for the concrete

Now a day’s for 1 cubic meter concrete it is required approximately 4200 Indian rupees. The following is the cost calculation which is determined for the columns, beams, and slab.

Cost for Beams = Volume of concrete calculated for the beams X Cost required for 1 cubic meter concrete

= 11.35X4200 Rupees

= 47,670 Rupees

Cost for Column = Volume of concrete calculated for the columns X Cost required for 1 cubic meter concrete

= 5.566X4200 Rupees

= 23,378 Rupees

Cost for Slab = Volume of concrete calculated for the slab X Cost required for 1 cubic meter concrete

= 35.53 X4200 Rupees

= 1, 49,226 Rupees

Total cost of the project required for the beams, columns and slabs

For the beams it is required approximately 47, 670 rupees for the 11.35 cubic meter concrete with 0.23mX0.36m size,   For the columns it is required approximately 23,378 Rupees for the 5.566 cubic meter volume concrete with 0.23mX0.4m size and 0.23mX0.23m size. And finally for the slab it is required approximately an amount of 1, 49,226 Rupees with 20.20mX10.66m area and 0.15m thickness.

Summary of calculation of volume and Cost of the Beams, Columns and Slab

S. No	Elements	Cross section In square meter	Volume  required in cubic meter concrete	Cost per cubic meter concrete	Cost of concrete In Rupees
1	Beams	0.23X0.36	11.35	4200/-	47,670/-
2	Columns	0.23X0.4 0.23X0.23	5.566	4200/-	23,378/-
3	Slab	20.20X10.66	35.53	4200/-	1, 49,226/-
Total cost Required					220174/-

Follow our previous posts here

Cost estimation and types of cost estimation methods used in building construction

Testing of the bricks and specifications as per the IS code standards | Brick work tests |

Rolled steel sections and Types used in civil engineering? Steel members ISLB, ISMB, ISLC ISNT

Foundations types and Specifications of foundations in building construction | classification of foundations |

What are the various different types of composite columns used in the building design ?

Conclusions on cost estimation and types of cost estimation methods

Well now the above explained concepts are related to the calculation of volume required for the concrete in the structural elements namely beams, columns and slabs. By calculating the volume of the concrete we can easily determine the cost of the concrete required as per the price available at the market now a days. Here in this example the volume of concrete required for the slab is greater than the beam and finally for the columns. Because of the restriction in the height the concrete is obtained as less value for the column. In the same process the cost of the project required for the slab is greater than the beam and it is greater than the column.

For more information related to the civil engineering concepts follow us as civil engineering by shravan YouTube Channel feel free to talk to us at contact us page for quarries.

Thank You

Your Shravan

Have a nice day.