Frequently Asked Questions

Steel reinforcement typically ranges from 1-4% of concrete volume. For beams, use 1-2%; for columns, 1.5-3%; for slabs, 0.8-1.5% based on span and load.

Net backfill volume is the actual void space that needs filling (excavation volume minus structure volume). Loose volume is the amount of excavated material in its loose, uncompacted state—always larger than net volume. If your excavation is 100 cubic yards and you need 100 cubic yards compacted in place, you'll need approximately 120-130 loose cubic yards of material due to compaction (depending on soil type and the swell factor). This difference is critical for material procurement and budgeti...

Beam deflection is the vertical displacement (sag) of a beam under load. Excessive deflection causes problems: cracked drywall and plaster, bouncy or squeaky floors, doors that stick or won't close, separated connections, and mechanical problems in mechanical systems. Building codes limit deflection to span/240 (residential) or span/360 (sensitive areas) to prevent these issues. Our calculator determines deflection so you can verify it meets code requirements. Even if structurally safe, excessiv...

Standard US brick dimensions (3⅝" × 2¼" × 8") with ½" mortar joints cover approximately 7 bricks per square foot in running bond (most common pattern). Calculate total wall area (height × length), subtract door/window openings, and multiply by 7. For example: 8-foot height × 20-foot length = 160 square feet, minus 30 square feet of openings = 130 square feet × 7 = 910 bricks. Add 5% for waste/breakage = approximately 955 bricks. Always verify brick size, as non-standard sizes and patterns change...

Include all loads that column will support: (1) Dead load—permanent building elements (roof, floors, structure, permanent equipment), (2) Live load—temporary occupancy loads (people, furniture, weather), (3) Environmental loads—wind, snow, earthquakes, (4) Service loads—mechanical systems, specialized equipment. Building codes specify minimum live loads for different occupancies. Snow load varies by region and roof slope. Wind loads depend on location and building height. Earthquakes depend on g...

Swell (expansion) occurs when soil is excavated—the overburden pressure that compacted soil in-place is removed, causing soil to expand and occupy more volume. A soil with 15% swell means 100 cubic yards compacted in-place becomes 115 cubic yards when excavated and loose. Compaction reverses this process, removing air voids and reducing volume. Full recompaction to original density (before excavation) reduces 115 cubic yards back to 100 cubic yards. However, achieving 100% compaction (zero void ...

For irregular shapes like curved driveways or L-shaped patios, break the shape into simpler rectangles, calculate each separately, and sum the volumes. A 20×30 slab with a 10×15 extension = (20×30) + (10×15) = 600 + 150 = 750 square feet. Multiply by depth: 750 × 0.33 feet (4 inches) = 248 cubic feet or 9.2 cubic yards. Alternatively, use the calculator's irregular polygon feature by entering corner coordinates—it calculates area automatically. For complex curves, approximate by breaking into sm...

A sedentary woman in her 30s typically has a TDEE of 1,600–1,900 calories/day. A moderately active woman of the same age may have a TDEE of 1,900–2,300 calories/day. TDEE varies significantly with age, height, weight, and activity level — calculate yours using your specific data for an accurate result.

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions at rest, such as breathing, circulation, and cell production.

A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body burns, forcing it to use stored fat for energy, resulting in weight loss.

The fat-burning zone is 60-70% of your maximum heart rate. For a 30-year-old with max HR of 190, this is 114-133 BPM. However, higher intensities burn more total calories.

The Devine formula calculates ideal body weight as: Men = 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet; Women = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. It was originally developed for drug dosing.

For men, 10-20% body fat is considered healthy, with 6-13% being athletic. For women, 18-28% is healthy, with 14-20% being athletic. Essential fat minimums are 2-5% for men and 10-13% for women.

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) measures exercise intensity. 1 MET equals resting metabolism. Running at 6 mph is about 10 METs, meaning it burns 10 times your resting calories.