About

A ring beam (or bond beam) is a continuous reinforced concrete element running horizontally through masonry walls. It ties the structure together, provides tensile strength, and distributes loads from roofs or upper floors. It is critical for seismic resistance and preventing wall spreading.

This calculator is designed for builders using U-blocks (lintel blocks) or timber formwork. It calculates the infill concrete volume required and the steel reinforcement weight, typically involving a cage of 2 or 4 longitudinal bars.

Formulas

The calculator determines the internal volume of the beam and multiplies by the total perimeter length.

Vol = Length × Width × Depth

Rebar Total Length:

L_steel = Length × BarCount

Reference Data

Feature	Purpose	Standard Spec (Res.)
Longitudinal Bars	Tensile strength	4x #4 (1/2") or #5 (5/8")
Stirrups (Ties)	Shear strength & holding shape	#3 (3/8") @ 8"-12" OC
Concrete Cover	Protect steel from corrosion	Min 1.5 inches
U-Block	Permanent formwork	Matches wall width (6", 8", 10")

Frequently Asked Questions

It acts as a horizontal spine for the building, tying walls together to resist lateral forces (like wind or earthquakes) and providing a solid bearing surface for roof trusses or floor joists.

Yes. Simply input the *internal* dimensions of the U-block channel as the Width and Depth. For example, an 8-inch U-block might have an internal channel of 6" wide by 6" deep.