Type of beams and how to calculate the volume of concrete required for RCC beam

Beams are the horizontal member in the building structures which are allows to transfer the total loads related to the gravity loads or lateral loads from the slabs to the column sections again from the column section it will transfer the load to the foundation section. In this article you can able to learn about how to calculate the volume of concrete and steel which is required for the RCC beam section as per the considerations of different cross section.

Types of beams used building design

As per the structural design concepts the different beams are classified into the following 5 types

1. Fixed beam
2. Cantilever beam
3. Simply supported beam
4. Over hanging beam
5. Continuous beam

 Fixed beam

Basically this type of the beam section consisting of two fixed support conditions at the each end section. Because of these fixed supports beam will not move to the any direction of X, Y and Z. The fixed beams are used between the column sections in the RCC building structures.

Cantilever beam

The cantilever beams consisting of the only one fixed support which is of fixed one and another end is considered as free end. Due to the effect of the free support case the beam will be bends in the free end side because of the vertical loading effect on the structure. These cantilever beams are frequently seen in the balcony construction.

Simply supported beam

The simply supported beam is also called as SSB in short form. The SSB is consisting of two supports in that one end is used as roller support case and another end is considered as fixed support case. The beam will move towards the roller support side because of the vertical loads and the bending value is more in the roller support end itself.  This type of SSB are generally used in bridges, parking areas and culverts construction where the roller support and fixed support condition is required in the structure.

Over hanging beams

The overhanging beams are those in which the beam is supported with two support conditions at the middle and the remaining ends are left as free. The complete model of the over hanging beam section is shown in the below figure. The over hanging beam section is used in the balcony sections in which the beams are extended from two end sections.

Continuous beams

The continuous beams are those sections in which one end is fixed and all the other supports are considered as roller support conditions in this case depending upon the number of intermediate sections n number of the supports are considered. The continuous beam section is shown in the below figure.

The different types of RCC beams used in the building design are shown in the below figure

Calculation of volume of concrete for beams

Example 1: Fixed support beams

Let us consider the plan which is shown in the below figure it is consisting of 3flat small apartment structure. The building structure is consisting of the both fixed beams and the cantilever beams. Consider the below specifications for the both fixed beam

1. Length of the beam = 5 meters
2. Width of the beam = 0.23 meters
3. Depth of the beam = 0.35 meters

Now the volume of the beam = 0.23mX0.3mX5m = 0.345m³

So it is required approximately 0.345 cubic meters concrete for the construction of beam of 230mmX300mmX5000mm dimensions.

Quantity of materials required for the beam 1

Now let us consider the concrete grade of M25 which is having mix ratio is 1:1:2 at w/c of 0.45.

Since density of concrete = Mass of concrete/ Volume of concrete

We have density of concrete = 2400 kg/m³

So mass of concrete = density X Volume

= 2400X0.345

=828 kgs

Finally it is required 828 kgs of concrete for the construction of beam

As we know the mass of concrete = weight of cement+ weight of fine aggregates + weight of coarse aggregates + weight of water

828 = 1a+1a+2a+0.45a

So finally we get a= 186 kgs

2a = 372 kgs

0.45a = 83.7 liters

For the casting of 0.23mX0.3mX5m cross section beam it is required following quantities of materials in the M25 grade concrete

1. Cement =186kgs
2. Fine aggregates = 186kgs
3. Coarse aggregates = 372kgs
4. Water = 83.7 liters

Example 2: Cantilever beams

Let us consider the plan which is shown in the above example figure. Consider the below specifications for the cantilever beam

4. Length of the beam = 1 meters
5. Width of the beam = 0.23 meters
6. Depth of the beam = 0.35 meters

Now the volume of the beam = 0.23mX0.3mX1m = 0.069m³

So it is required approximately 0.069 cubic meters concrete for the construction of beam of 230mmX300mmX1000mm dimensions.

Quantity of materials required for the beam 2

Now let us consider the concrete grade of M25 which is having mix ratio is 1:1:2 at w/c of 0.45.

Since density of concrete = Mass of concrete/ Volume of concrete

We have density of concrete = 2400 kg/m³

So mass of concrete = density X Volume

= 2400X0.069

=165.6 kgs

Finally it is required 165.6 kgs of concrete for the construction of beam

As we know the mass of concrete = weight of cement+ weight of fine aggregates + weight of coarse aggregates + weight of water

165.6 = 1a+1a+2a+0.45a

So finally we get a= 37.21 kgs

2a = 74.42 kgs

0.45a = 16.75liters

For the casting of 0.23mX0.3mX1m cross section beam it is required following quantities of materials in the M25 grade concrete

5. Cement =37.21 kgs
6. Fine aggregates = 37.21 kgs
7. Coarse aggregates = 74.42 kgs
8. Water = 16.75liters

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Conclusions of types of beams used and how to calculate the volume and quantity of materials required for beams

Well now the above explained concepts are related to the types of beams and quantity of materials used in the building design. As per the consideration the beams are classified in to five 5 types which are related to the fixed beam, Cantilever beam, Simply supported beam, Over hanging beam and Continuous beam.

For the fixed beam which is having 0.23mX0.3mX5m dimensions having volume of concrete 0.345 cubic meters it is required approximately cement of 186kgs, fine aggregates of 186kgs, Coarse aggregates of 372kgs and Water of 83.7 liters.

For the cantilever beam which is having 0.23mX0.3mX1m dimensions having volume of concrete 0.069 cubic meters it is required approximately cement of 186kgs, fine aggregates of 186kgs, Coarse aggregates of 372kgs and Water of 83.7 liters.

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