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About

Bored piles (drilled shafts) are a high-capacity deep foundation solution used when shallow foundations cannot support structural loads. Estimating the material requirements for these massive cylinders is a daily task for geotechnical and structural engineers.

This calculator streamlines the estimation process by computing the exact volume of concrete required (including a waste factor margin) and the weight of the steel reinforcement cage. Whether you are designing for a skyscraper or a bridge, accurate material take-offs are crucial for budgeting and logistics, especially given the high cost of ready-mix concrete and steel.

concrete volume calculator rebar weight calculator civil engineering tools deep foundation

Formulas

The volume of the pile is calculated as a cylinder:

V = π × (D2)2 × H

The total weight of the reinforcement cage combines longitudinal bars and helical ties:

Wsteel = (n × L × wbar) + Wties

Reference Data

Material / ParameterStandard Value (Metric)Standard Value (Imperial)Notes
Concrete Density (Plain)2400 kg/m³150 lb/ft³Standard Mix
Concrete Density (Reinforced)2500 kg/m³156 lb/ft³With Steel
Steel Density7850 kg/m³490 lb/ft³Carbon Steel
Standard Pile Dia (Small)300 - 600 mm12 - 24 inResidential
Standard Pile Dia (Large)600 - 3000 mm24 - 120 inBridges/High-rise
Overbreak / Waste Factor5% - 10%5% - 10%Dep. on Soil Stability
Rebar Size (Common)16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm#5, #6, #8, #10Longitudinal Bars

Frequently Asked Questions

Bored piles are created by drilling a hole and filling it with concrete, suitable for urban areas due to low vibration. Driven piles are hammered into the ground, which is faster but noisy and causes vibration.
In bored piling, the drilled hole is rarely perfect. Soil walls may expand or collapse slightly ('overbreak'), requiring more concrete than the theoretical cylinder volume to fill the void.
No, this tool calculates material quantities (volume and weight). For load-bearing capacity (skin friction and end bearing), please use the "Bored Pile Capacity Calculator".
Toggle the switch at the top of the tool. Note that converting units assumes standard density approximations (e.g., 2400 kg/m³ vs 150 lb/ft³).