Bar Spacing Guidelines for Beams, Columns, Slabs & Footings | IS 456 Standards

Minimum and Maximum Spacing of Beam, Column, Stirrups, Slab & Footing

Minimum Bar Spacing in Reinforced Beams (IS 456)

• Horizontal spacing: Diameter of the larger bar or maximum coarse aggregate size + 6mm.
• With needle vibrator: Can be reduced to 2/3 of the nominal aggregate size.
• Vertical spacing:
• 16 mm
• 2/3 of nominal coarse aggregate size
• Maximum bar size in the beam
• General spacing: 50–75 mm, depending on aggregate size.

Maximum Bar Spacing in Reinforced Beams (IS 456)

Reinforcement Grade	Max Bar Spacing (mm)
Fe 250	300
Fe 415	180
Fe 500	150

• Secondary parallel bars: 5D or 450 mm, whichever is less.

Minimum Bar Spacing in Reinforced Columns

• Minimum gap = Maximum aggregate grain size + 5 mm.
• Aggregate grain size:
• Normal concrete: 32 mm
• Self-compacting concrete: 16 mm

Maximum Bar Spacing in Reinforced Columns (IS 456)

Reinforcement Grade	Max Bar Spacing (mm)
Fe 250	300
Fe 415	180
Fe 500	150

• Secondary parallel bars: 5D or 450 mm, whichever is less.

Maximum Spacing of Stirrups in Beams

• Mid-span: Maximum spacing due to minimal shear.
• Near supports: Minimum spacing due to high shear force.
• Spacing should not exceed:
• 0.75d
• 300 mm

Minimum Spacing of Stirrups in Beams (IS 456)

• Formula: Maximum spacing = 0.75d
• Example: Beam depth = 600 mm → 0.75 × 600 = 450 mm
• Selection: 10 mm double-legged stirrups @ 150 mm c/c

Minimum Bar Spacing in Slabs

• Minimum gap: Maximum coarse aggregate size + 5 mm.

Maximum Bar Spacing in Slabs (IS Code)

Parameter	Maximum Spacing
Main reinforcement bars	3D or 300 mm
Secondary reinforcement bars	5D or 450 mm
Distribution steel	5D or 450 mm

Minimum Bar Spacing in Footing (IS Code)

• Minimum reinforcement: 0.12% as per code.
• Maximum spacing: 3 × effective depth or 450 mm, whichever is less.

Call to Action

For more in-depth calculations and examples, read the full article on our website.

Must read: L‐Type Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Bitumen Paint

 

Must read: Circular Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Bitumen Paint

 

Must read: T ‐ Type Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Bitumen Paint

 

Must read: Arc Type Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Bitumen Paint

 

Must read: V-Type Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Paint

 

Must read: Hexagon Type Column Quantity Survey | Volume Of Concrete | Area Of Shuttering | Area Of Bitumen Paint