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Strip Foundation Material Calculator

Estimate concrete volume, formwork lumber, and detailed rebar schedules for strip foundations. Includes stirrup and tie wire calculations.

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Category Foundation & Concrete
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About

A strip foundation (or continuous footing) supports load-bearing walls by spreading the weight across a linear strip of soil. Structural integrity relies on correct reinforcement detailing, not just concrete volume. This tool generates a basic Rebar Schedule, calculating the total length of longitudinal steel bars and the number of transverse stirrups required to resist shear forces. It helps contractors and DIY builders order the correct tonnage of steel and board-feet of formwork lumber, preventing mid-pour shortages.

concrete foundation rebar schedule construction estimator

Formulas

The calculator derives the volume Vconc and reinforcement requirements based on the strip dimensions L, W, and D.

Vconc = L × W × D
Longitudinal Bars: Nbars = L × qtyrows + overlap
Stirrups Count: Nstir = L÷Sspacing + 1

Formwork area Aform is calculated for both sides of the trench, ignoring ends if continuous.

Aform = 2 × (L × D)

Reference Data

Rebar Size (US)Diameter (d)Weight per FtWeight per Meter
#30.375 in0.376 lbs0.560 kg
#40.500 in0.668 lbs0.994 kg
#50.625 in1.043 lbs1.552 kg
#60.750 in1.502 lbs2.235 kg
#70.875 in2.044 lbs3.042 kg
#81.000 in2.670 lbs3.973 kg

Frequently Asked Questions

Structural codes typically require a splice overlap of 40 to 60 times the bar diameter. For a #4 bar (1/2 inch), a 24-inch (60cm) overlap is a safe standard for residential strip footings to ensure load transfer.
Excavation is rarely perfect. Trenches often end up slightly wider or deeper than planned. It is industry standard to order 5% to 10% extra concrete to account for over-excavation and spillage.
Every intersection between a longitudinal bar and a stirrup must be tied to prevent the steel cage from shifting during the pour. While cheap, running out of tie wire halts work. Estimating 1.5 ties per intersection covers breakage and waste.