Domestic RC beams
- Beams for wall removals where headroom or fire rating makes steel difficult.
- RC beams in extensions, lofts and garages supporting new floors and roofs.
Menu
Structural design • Reinforced concrete beams
Reinforced concrete beam design for UK homes and small commercial projects
We design reinforced concrete beams for wall removals, extensions, loft conversions and small commercial projects. You receive clear drawings, bar details and Building Control ready calculations that your builder can follow.
Every reinforced concrete beam is checked for bending, shear, cracking and deflection so the structure performs as expected on site.
- RC beam design for houses, extensions, lofts and small commercial units across the UK.
- Design packs include beam size, reinforcement, bar schedules where needed and bearing details.
- Fixed fee quotations with typical turnaround of 24 to 72 hours once information is complete.
We work with homeowners, architects, builders and students, providing real project RC beam designs and worked examples that match UK practice.
Reinforced concrete beam design service
We provide reinforced concrete beam design for one-off domestic projects, small commercial work and teaching examples for students.
Small commercial and retail
- Concrete beams for shopfront alterations and new openings.
- Support for masonry, precast units and plant zones.
RC beam checks and upgrades
- Verification of existing reinforced concrete beams where loads have changed.
- Advice on strengthening options such as added steelwork or section enlargement.
Teaching and student support
- Worked examples aligned with our YouTube tutorials on RC beams.
- Step by step explanations written in clear language for learning.
Where a reinforced concrete beam is the right choice
Steel beams are common, but some situations favour concrete. These are the cases where an RC beam is often more practical.
Limited headroom or tight finishes
- Beams cast within floor depth where every millimetre of headroom matters.
- Loft conversions and basements where exposed steel would sit too low.
Fire and robustness
- Concrete beams with built-in fire resistance so no extra board or paint is needed.
- Continuous frames where RC beams and columns work together.
Integration with slabs and walls
- RC beams cast with slabs to control cracking and deflection.
- Beams that support blockwork, precast planks or flight landings.
Site or access constraints
- Sites where lifting a long steel beam is difficult but concrete can be poured in place.
- Projects with on-site concrete already planned for slabs and foundations.
Information we need to design your RC beam
Good information keeps the design simple and reduces back and forth with Building Control and your builder.
Drawings and layout
- Plans and sections showing beam span, supports and openings.
- Any proposed changes to walls, floors or roofs around the beam.
Loads and use
- What the reinforced concrete beam will support such as walls, floors or roofs.
- Any heavy items like tanks, plant or partitions that sit on the beam.
Support conditions
- Wall thickness, block type or column sizes at each end.
- Whether bearings are inside or on the face of the supports.
Ground and foundations
- Details of foundations beneath the supports if available.
- Photos or any previous reports on ground conditions.
Typical reinforced concrete beam sizes and fee ranges
Every project is different, but these notes give a feel for beam proportions and design costs for common domestic work.
Rule of thumb beam depth
For simple spans a first pass depth can be taken as span / 15 to span / 20.
A 6 m beam might start around 300–400 mm overall depth before detailed checks.
Common reinforcement layouts
Many domestic beams use 2 or 3 tension bars at the bottom with smaller bars at the top.
Links are often H8 or H10 at 150–250 mm centres, tightened near supports for shear.
Indicative design fees
Simple single reinforced concrete beam: £250–£350.
Beams carrying walls or multiple spans: £350–£550.
Complex frames or several beams on one drawing are quoted after review.
Reinforced concrete beam – frequently asked questions
Short, direct answers to the questions we hear most often from clients and students about concrete beams.
What is a reinforced concrete beam?
It is a concrete beam with steel bars and links that carry tension and shear. The concrete takes compression while the steel carries tension so the beam can span safely without cracking or deflecting too much.
When should I use a reinforced concrete beam instead of steel?
RC beams suit situations with tight headroom, high fire requirements, or where casting the beam with a slab or wall makes the build easier. They are also useful where lifting a long steel beam into place would be difficult.
How deep should my concrete beam be?
A quick first check uses span divided by 15 to 20 for the overall depth. Final beam depth and width are set only after full calculations to check bending, shear and deflection against the design loads.
Do I need Building Control for an RC beam?
Yes. Any structural change that involves a reinforced concrete beam needs calculations and drawings for Building Control. We provide a full pack that your architect or builder can submit.
Can you check an existing RC beam?
In many cases we can. We need dimensions, bar details if known, and information on the loads. Site photos are very helpful. We then report on capacity and options if extra strength is needed.
How long does reinforced concrete beam design take?
Simple beams for domestic projects can often be turned around within 24 to 72 hours once we have all the information. Larger or more complex frames take longer and are agreed at quotation stage.
Reinforced concrete beam tutorials from our YouTube channel
These short videos show the rules of thumb and detailed steps behind reinforced concrete beam design, from first sizing to stresses and deflection.
Initial size of a concrete beam
Effective depth of an RC beam
Stresses in reinforced concrete beams
Cantilever beam length and deflection
Clients who used us for reinforced concrete beam design
A few brief comments from projects where concrete beams were the right answer instead of steel.
Loft conversion – London
RC beam supporting new dormer
“We needed a shallow concrete beam cast within the floor to keep headroom. The drawings and bar details were clear and Building Control were happy.”
Wall removal – Manchester
Reinforced concrete beam over kitchen opening
“SECalcs took our architect plans and quickly designed a concrete beam where fire protection on steel would have been awkward. The builder followed the notes with no problems.”
Small retail unit – Birmingham
RC beam and slab detail
“They designed the reinforced concrete beam and linked slab so we could remove internal walls. The calculation pack answered all of Building Control’s questions.”
Request a structural engineer quote for your reinforced concrete beam
Use this form to outline your project. Your enquiry goes straight to an engineer who designs reinforced concrete beams every day.
Tell us about your reinforced concrete beam
Share a few details so we can review the drawings, confirm if an RC beam is suitable and send you a fixed fee for the design.
This form connects to our central SECalcs email. You will usually hear back from a structural engineer within one working day.
Ready to move your reinforced concrete beam design forward?
If you are planning a wall removal, extension, loft or small commercial project and need a reinforced concrete beam designed, send us a few details and we will confirm the next steps and a fixed fee.
- Head Office: Corwell Lane, Uxbridge, England, UB8 3DE.
- 07359 267907
- info@structuralengineercalcs.com
- Company No: 12653163