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Length imperial. Weight lb. Currency USD. Weight uses 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. Currency converts US-dollar planning prices and does not change volumes, counts, or geometry.

18 by 16 ft slab at 8 inches

Calculate the requirements for an 18 ft by 16 ft residential slab at 8 in thickness with #4 bars spaced at 18 in. Ensure compliance with IRC R506 guidelines.

Formula SSC-2026.1

Formula SSC-2026.1 · 4,000 PSI

Order volume

8.69 yd³

6.645 m³ placed+waste

Order weight

35,200 lb

15,966 kg

80 lb bags

392

10 pallets at 42 bags

60 lb bags

522

0.45 ft³ yield each

Rebar

542.00 ft

32 × 20 ft · 32 × 6 m · 398 lb

Ready-mix vs bags

$1,434.07

Truck $1,434.07 · 80 lb bags $2,646.00

Slab footprint and rebar gridLive scaled blueprint
18.00 ft16.00 ft#4 / 12 mm at 18 in OC · 8 in slab

Grid lines are equalized so the drawing stays readable. The order count uses on-center spacing with a bar at each end of the layout, then holds concrete cover in the field.

Bill of materials and shopping list
ItemNetWasteOrderUnit priceLine totalSource Spec Material / Tool
Ready-mix concrete7.90 yd³10%8.69 yd³ / 6.645 m³USD$1,434.07Source Spec Material / Tool
Short-load feeFull load—1 truck @ 10 yd³USD$0.00Source Spec Material / Tool
80 lb pre-mix bags355.6 bags10%392 bagsUSD$2,646.00Source Spec Material / Tool
60 lb pre-mix bags474.1 bags10%522 bagsUSD$2,818.80Source Spec Material / Tool
#4 rebar sticks, 20 ft32 sticks10%36 sticks / 32 × 6 mUSD$504.00Source Spec Material / Tool
Rebar chairs143 crossings10%158 chairsUSD$44.24Source Spec Material / Tool
Tie wire rolls143 ties10%1 rollsUSD$8.00Source Spec Material / Tool

Source links open a product search on the Amazon storefront for the selected currency. SiteSpecCalc may earn a commission. The link does not change the quantities above.

Ready-mix truck

$1,434.07

0.87 nominal 10 yd³ loads · 1 to order

80 lb bags

$2,646.00

60 lb alternative $2,818.80 · delivery weight 35,200 lb

Side-by-side thickness comparison at the same footprint
ThicknessOrder yd³Order m³80 lb bagsRebar ftReady-mix80 lb cost
4 in5.654.319255596$932.15$1,721.25
5 in6.414.901289596$1,057.63$1,950.75
6 in7.175.482323596$1,183.11$2,180.25
Show the deterministic formula

Slab ft³ = L × W × thickness ÷ 12. Thickened-edge extra = footing band × (footing depth − slab thickness), with corner squares counted once.

yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27. m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168. Weight uses 150 lb/ft³, then the header converts that pound total at 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. 80 lb bags yield 0.6 ft³ and 60 lb bags yield 0.45 ft³. Currency changes the price labels only.

Bars across a span = floor(span ÷ spacing) + 1. Order sticks = that count, plus 10, 5, or 15 percent waste, cut from 20 ft and 6 m stock. Chairs = one per grid intersection.

Engineering notes

This calculator is designed to assist in estimating the requirements for a residential slab measuring 18 ft by 16 ft with a thickness of 8 inches. The reinforcement specified is #4 bars placed at 18 inches on center. Please note that soil design considerations are excluded from this calculation.

For compliance, refer to the International Residential Code (IRC) Section R506, which outlines the standards for concrete slabs in residential construction.

Code reference

IRC R506

Field questions

What is the purpose of using #4 bars in the slab?
The #4 bars provide tensile strength to the concrete slab, helping to prevent cracking and improving overall structural integrity.
What thickness is recommended for a residential slab?
For most residential applications, a thickness of 4 to 6 inches is common; however, in this case, an 8-inch thickness is specified for additional strength.
Why is soil design excluded from this calculation?
Soil design is a critical aspect that varies based on local conditions and requires specific geotechnical analysis, which is beyond the scope of this calculator.
What does IRC R506 cover?
IRC R506 provides guidelines for the design and construction of concrete slabs, including requirements for thickness, reinforcement, and placement.

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