Category: Structure & materials
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
Stirrups or links are bars bent into a closed frame that wraps the main reinforcement in beams and columns. They resist shear in beams, stop main bars buckling in columns, and hold them in place during the pour. Common sizes are 8 and 10 mm.
Why it matters on a project
Spacing is closer near supports and at beam column joints, and wider spacing there seriously weakens the member.
Measurement and pricing
Counted from member length and spacing, then length per link, totalled in tonnes in the bar bending schedule.
Worked example
A 6 m beam with links every 15 cm: (6 ÷ 0.15) + 1 = 41 links, and for 20 x 50 cm links in 8 mm bar at about 1.5 m each, 41 × 1.5 = 61.5 m.
Common mistake
Spacing links evenly along the whole beam, ignoring the closer spacing required near columns, or bending them with short hooks.
Frequently asked questions
Why are link ends bent at 135 degrees?
So they anchor in the concrete and do not open under load, especially in seismic zones.
Can I widen link spacing to save steel?
No, spacing comes from the structural design and widening it weakens shear resistance.
Related terms
- Reinforcement (rebar)Steel bars placed inside concrete per bar-bending schedules to strengthen structural elements.
- Bar bending schedule (BBS)A schedule listing the diameter, length, shape and number of reinforcement bars per element.
- BeamA horizontal element that carries the slab and transfers its loads to the columns.
- ColumnA vertical element that carries slab and beam loads down to the footings.
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