Starting the process of creating Bar Bending Schedules (BBS) can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to it. But, with the help of BBS Plus, a robust Bar Bending Schedule Software designed to streamline the intricate process of reinforcement detailing, the task can be much simpler and easier. In this tutorial, we will provide a step-by-step guide how to make Bar Bending Schedule with BBS Plus – the ultimate Bar Bending Schedule Software, making sure that even beginners can use this software with full confidence by the end.
Installation and Setting Up
On procurement of BBS Plus Software, you will receive a zip file which will contain two files- BBS Format and BBS Plus Program file. BBS Format is to make a bar bending schedule in Excel sheet. Make a new Folder named BBS Plus and extract files here. File Versions and Software editions like Silver, Gold, and Platinum will be mentioned in the file name.
Registration:
Double-click the BBS Plus File to open. If you get a security warning like Macro disabled, then click on Enable Content. When the Software opens, you will get a Registration Form as displayed in the 2nd Image. Take a picture of this Unique ID and WhatsApp to +917980894947 to get the License number. Please note the license number is applicable for this computer only.
Once you get the License number, enter here with other details. Till the time you get the License number, click Cancel to Run in Demo Version. New Tab BBS Plus is now available. By Clicking it a New Ribbon will be visible. Any time you can get the registration form by clicking the “Register BBS Plus” Menu here.
Note: After registration, you can have multiple copies of this software in various folders on this computer for your different Projects.
Shop Now: BBS Plus Platinum Edition
Options & Settings:
To set Program option click Option Icon in the Ribbon. Following buttons are available here:
Format Option – This will open format option of BBS Format file.
Method of Bending – You can switch method of bending between Machine Bending and Manual Bending. Formula will be different based on the method of bending selected.
Hook Length of Stirrup – You can use formula to set length of hook in a stirrups or can do a manual entry. Please consult your structural Consultant to fix this value. Also, you need to consider safety regulations of Bending Machine for minimum hook length of bend. By default hook length will be 9 times dia of bar and minimum 75mm. You can change the value as per requirement.
Tag Template – This opens Tag template sheet. You can modify row column width, replace logo, changes margin as needed. You can take printout in A4 page to check all tags are properly placed. After modification is done, click HIDE TEMPLATE & SAVE to close this sheet. This option is only available in Platinum edition of BBS Plus.
Working Shape – This will open the Working shape sheet. Software searches all shapes from this sheet only. You can change the formula, modify the shape, if needed, in this sheet. To develop a new shape code, first check with Total Shape sheet. If it not available then search a closest possible shapes and copy the entire row. After that, modify shape and formula as needed. Please take utmost care during modification of this sheet to avoid any issue to run BBS Plus. Click HIDE to close this sheet. This option is available in Gold and Platinum Edition of BBS Plus.
Total Shape – This will open the Total shape sheet. This sheet is having 630+ shape. Any required shape, which is not available in Working Shape but found in Total Shape, to be copied. Copy Entire row of the shape and paste in working shape sheet. If dimension is not available in the shape, then it is to be drawn. Please contact us, we will help you to make the shape ready for you. Click HIDE to close this sheet. This option is available in Gold and Platinum Edition of BBS Plus.
We have checked various settings in Program Option. It’s time to explore BBS Format option. Open the BBS Format file. If you get security warning like Macro disabled, then click on Enable Content.
A blank BBS Format sheet having Bar Mark, Description of Elements, Dia of Bar, Number of Element, Number of Bars, Total Number of Bar, Cutting length, then code column to enter shape code, A-J column to enter shape dimensions, next shape image and weight of Bar. Column G to J is generally kept hidden as it is not required. Summary of Bar is written in right side. There are two buttons available Options and Common Shapes. To set BBS Format option Click the Option button.
Program Option – Switch to Program Option dialog box in BBS Plus program file.
Print Option – Option available to hide code and dimension column during printing. You can unhide G to H dimension column while printing. Select the option as per requirement. Hiding Code and dimension column is the default option.
Capitalization of Description – This option makes sure that first letter of the description is capital.
Set Program File Location – To make BBS calculations, program file must be open. Click Locate File and select the BBS Plus Program file. Put check mark to open this file every time automatically.
Registration Details – Shows registration information.
Terms of Use – Shows Terms of use. You should read and agree to it.
View Template Sheet for Modification – Click this to open BBS format Template sheet. Here You can write company Name, Project Name and also replace the logo. In summary, we have provided commonly used Bar diameter. If you use any dia from 5mm to 40mm, which is not mentioned in the summary, you can insert column then write dia of bar and copy the adjacent formula. Software is designed for bar diameter of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 32, 40.
Click Save Template to save the changes and hide this template. A new blank BBS Format sheet will be added as per the new template.
Now close the format option.
Common Shapes – If you click Common Shapes button, a floating window will appear, where commonly used shape codes are shown. You can make BBS keeping this window open, which helps to find the commonly used shape codes. You can close this window by clicking close button.
Find Shape Codes – apart from above Common Shape code, you can also find shape code from the Working sheet. Click Find Shape Codes icon in BBS Plus Tab in the Ribbon. Here you will get a window as shown here. Enter the angles and Curves in the shape, which you are searching, then click FILTER. List of shapes will be visible along with shape code.
To see all the available Shape Codes, click SHOW ALL.
To go back to BBS Format File, click PREVIOUS FILE.
Preparation of Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) with Software
What is Bar Bending Schedule?
A Bar Bending Schedule, commonly referred to as BBS, is a comprehensive list of reinforcement bars for any structural element. It includes information such as the Bar mark, shape, size, location, length, and bending details of the reinforcement, making it an essential tool for construction projects.
Checklist before BBS Preparation
- Check the concrete cover on each face.
- Identification of Lap Zone and No Lap Zone.
- Check the lapping length for tensions and compression bars of each structural element.
- Check the direction of the bend of each bar.
- Group each structural unit like column, beam, slab, and floor by floor.
- Bar mark should be in serial number. You can Prefix letters like C for column and B for beam for better understanding.
Now we have prepared multiple BBS in different sheets. It is recommended that you make BBS for each group in one sheet like the First-floor slab beam in a sheet and column in a different sheet, etc. To optimize the cutting lengths, we need to consolidate different sheets. In Bar Bending Schedule Software, Click the Option Button -> Consolidate.
Please note this and further facility is available in Platinum Edition Only.
Example
Let us consider 4 numbers columns of Size 500×500, where the cover is 40mm. The vertical rod is 8-25mm dia with 300mm L at the bottom. The height of the column rebar is to be considered as 5500mm. 8mm stirrups @200 c/c to be placed.
Preparation of a Bar Bending Schedule with BBS Plus is very easy. In this case, first, we will write the column vertical. Let us give the Bar Mark as C1, the Description as Column Vertical, and the Dia of the Bar as 25. The software automatically put it as T25. Since we are calculating for 4 nos column, let us put 4 in No. of Elements. Each Column has 8 nos Bar, put 8 in No. of Bars column. Bar Bending Schedule Software Automatically calculated the total number of bars.
Now Cursor goes to the Code column. The shape code of L is 111. The moment you put 111 in the code column, Shape is displayed with Dimensions A and B. As we know 300mm L, so write 300 in dimension column A and 5500 in Column B as the height given, Software automatically calculates the cutting length and weight, and shape is displayed with full dimension.
Now we will prepare BBS for Stirrups. Bar Mark C2, Description Col. Stirrups. Enter 8 in Dia of Bar Column. No. of Elements is 4. Calculate the number of Stirrups at 5500mm length @200c/c: = ROUNDUP(5500 ÷ 200,0)+1 = 29
The system Calculates the total number of bars. Next enter code 501 for Stirrups with 135 degree bend. Each side will be =500-40×2 (cover) = 420. Hook length is calculated by default and accordingly calculated cutting length and weight. No need to worry about manual calculations. Based on your chosen bending code, BBS Plus automatically generates cut-length formulas. This not only speeds up the process but also minimizes the risk of errors. We can see that the total steel requirement for the above is 786kg.
Printing of BBS using Bar Bending Schedule Software
Before taking a printout, we have to check the page setup. By default, the left section of the footer displays the company’s name as registered, but you can change it as per your requirement.
Hiding code and dimension columns as selected in the option may not be visible in the print preview, but don’t worry it will be hidden during printing.
Consolidation of Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)
Now we have prepared multiple BBS in different sheets. It is recommended that you make BBS for each group in one sheet like the First-floor slab beam in a sheet and column in a different sheet, etc. To optimize the cutting lengths, we need to consolidate different sheets. In Bar Bending Schedule Software, Click the Option Button -> Consolidate.
Please note this and further facility is available in Platinum Edition Only.
You will see the Consolidate window. Put a pour Number against each you want to consolidate and click next or enter. Number of Sheets to be consolidated can be seen below. Click clear, if you want to clear any sheet name.
Once everything ok, then click consolidate. It will consolidate all the sheets you selected and make a new sheet. A textbox will be inserted in the existing sheet to remind that this sheet is consolidated. If you consolidate once again then delete this text box and also delete the consolidated sheet first.
Sorting of Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)
Once Consolidation is done, the Consolidation Button will be disabled, Next click Sort, and a new Sort window will open as shown below.
There are two sorting options available.
- Dia > Shape Code > Cutting length – Shape code will be in Sorted order; this is convenient for bending.
- Dia > Cutting length > Shape Code – Cutting length will be in Sorted order, this reduces the wastage of Steel.
By default, second option is selected. If you want to sort the Numeric and non-numeric bars separately then tick the check box.
During Sort any row that does not have any shape code number will be deleted. Once Sorting is done, a new sheet will be created.
Optimize Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)
Once Sorting is done, click the Optimize button. It will open a new Optimize window.
By default, dia wise 12m stock length with unit weight shown, you can add additional stock length if you have. Optimization will be done as per the available length of the bar.
Tick the check box of Create Summary of Wastage, this will write a Summary after optimization. By default, less than 40x dia is considered scrap, but you can modify this value as per your requirement.
Now Click Optimize to get a chart showing economic length, percentage of scrap, and off-cut.
A new Optimized sheet is created. This shows that a diameter-wise number of cut lengths can take out from a standard length of rebar so that wastage becomes minimal.
As an example, the first line of 10mm dia rebar shows that from a 12mm bar we have to cut 6180mm for bar mark 18 and 5580mm for bar mark 10 and a total of 50 pieces of rod to cut as per BBS requirement. We will get 240mm as scrap from each bar. Similarly, various combination of bar mark and cut length is considered to arrive at minimal wastage.
In this example, we are seeing 1.2% of scrap. Like this with various combinations, you can reduce scrap, which will increase the profit. Off-cuts shown here are reusable steel, hence it is not a wastage.
Making of Tag
As you prepare your Bar Bending Schedule (BBS), the software seamlessly incorporates the modified tag template, automatically generating tags with accurate details, including bar marks, descriptions, dimensions, and weights. After the optimization is done, click the Tag button to open the Tag window. Enter the required fields like Production Sequence no, Order Ref., Project, Schedule Ref, Unload Location, etc., which you want to display in the Tag.
There is an option to generate multiple Tags for weight more than 200kg. Suppose any Bar Mark weighs 1000kg, if we put the value 500 in the text box then two tags will be generated of 500kg.
When multiple sheets are consolidated, then each sheet makes one group. If we tick the “Include Group ID” check box then groups A, B, etc. will be displayed as per the above image. This helps to identify the rebar very easily.
Note: Occasionally, due to memory limitations in Excel, tag generation may not complete when consolidating more than two sheets. In such instances, consider consolidating two sheets at a time and then proceed to generate the tag.
Embark on a journey of seamless and efficient bar bending schedule creation with BBS Plus. This step-by-step tutorial has explained the complexities, making the intricate process accessible even to beginners. BBS Plus not only simplifies the technicalities but also ensures precision in reinforcement detailing. From installation to generating professional tags, the software proves to be an indispensable tool for construction projects. Elevate your structural detailing experience with BBS Plus – where innovation meets user-friendly functionality, shaping the future of bar bending schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Bar Mark
- Dia of Bar
- Number of Bar
- Cutting Length
- Shape of Bar
BBS Plus is a sophisticated Bar Bending Schedule software designed for creating Bar Bending Schedules (BBS) in construction projects. It streamlines the reinforcement detailing process, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and cost savings.
Yes, absolutely! BBS Plus offers customization options for both BBS Format and BBS Program. Users can tailor the software to match the unique requirements of their projects, providing a personalized and efficient detailing experience.
To access the full capabilities of BBS Plus, users need to register by sharing a unique ID. This registration process ensures that each user receives an exclusive license number for their computer, guaranteeing secure and authorized usage of the software.
BBS Plus simplifies shape selection by offering various options. Users can filter shapes based on the number of bends or curves, making it easy to find specific shapes that match their project requirements.
Yes, the Floating Shape Window is a handy reference tool available in all editions of BBS Plus. It displays commonly used shape codes, facilitating quick access and expediting the detailing process.
Absolutely! BBS Plus is designed to cater to both machine and manual bending processes. Users can seamlessly tailor their schedules to the specific requirements of their construction methods.
BBS Plus automates cut length calculations based on the chosen bending code. This feature eliminates the need for manual calculations, reducing the risk of errors and significantly speeding up the detailing process.
The Gold and Platinum Editions introduce advanced features, including formula customization, professional shape visualization, optimization for cost savings (Platinum Edition), and the ability to generate economic length charts and Tags (Platinum Edition)
The optimization feature in the Platinum Edition allows users to minimize wastage by optimizing cut lengths. This not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to significant cost savings by using resources more effectively.
Absolutely! BBS Plus is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners. This tutorial, along with detailed customization options, ensures that even novices can confidently create Bar Bending Schedules with ease.
Best software for BBS. Recommeded BBS Plus Platinum for Construction.
Very inteligent software to make Bar Bending schedule. Ideal for Construction Professional. I am happy to use it.
Thank you for the Article. Nicely Explained on BBS Plus Platinum. I am using it and recommending others to use the same. It is realy smartest software.
Absolutely impressed with the Advanced Shape Selection in BBS Plus Platinum! It’s like having a library of steel shapes at your fingertips. Highly recommend for anyone in the construction biz!
The Sorting and Optimization feature in BBS Plus Platinum is genius! No more wasted steel with its intelligent off-cut management. Saving time and resources like never before! 👌
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