Inputs
Optional allowance for handling, offcuts, damage, or ordering buffer.
Results
Total panels required
—
Total waste (area)
—
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Panels along slab length | — |
| Panels along slab width | — |
| Seams along length / width | — |
| Coverage length × width | — |
| Gross panel area | — |
| Slab area | — |
| Overlap waste area | — |
| Edge trim waste area | — |
| Total waste area | — |
| Waste as % of gross | — |
| Waste as % of slab | — |
Description
This tool estimates reinforcing mesh panel quantities and waste due to internal overlap and edge trimming for rectangular slabs. It also models optional extra wastage to cover handling losses or ordering buffers, then reports totals, coverage, and waste breakdowns with simple exports for project records.
Formulas Used
Panel counts (dimension D with panel size P and lap L):
n = ceil( max(1, (D - L) / (P - L)) )
Coverage along a dimension using n panels:
Coverage = n·P - (n - 1)·L
Gross panel area:
Agross = nL · nW · PL · PW
Slab area:
Aslab = DL · DW
Overlap area (avoid double-count at seam crossings):
Aoverlap = (nL-1)·LL·CoverageW + (nW-1)·LW·CoverageL - (nL-1)(nW-1)·LL·LW
Edge trim waste:
Atrim = Agross - (Aslab + Aoverlap)
Total waste:
Awaste = Aoverlap + Atrim
All inputs must satisfy P > L in both directions. Orientation maps the panel’s longer side to the selected slab dimension.
How to Use
- Select your unit system.
- Enter slab length and width.
- Enter mesh panel length and width.
- Provide lap values in both directions.
- Choose orientation so the panel length aligns correctly.
- Optionally add an extra wastage percentage.
- Click Calculate to view counts, coverage, and waste.
- Export results to CSV or PDF for record keeping.
Example Scenarios
| # | Slab L×W | Panel L×W | Laps L/W | Orientation | Panels | Total Waste |
|---|
Examples assume metric units and 0% extra wastage.
FAQs
Lap is the overlap length required where adjacent panels meet, ensuring continuous reinforcement across seams. It is specified by codes, engineers, or manufacturer recommendations.
Waste comes from internal lap areas and edge trimming where coverage exceeds slab boundaries. Complex layouts, obstructions, or heavy lap requirements increase both overlap and trim losses.
Choose the orientation that best aligns the panel’s longer side with the slab’s longer dimension to reduce the panel count and minimize seams, where practical.
This calculator focuses on panel geometry and lap areas. It does not check bar diameters, spacing, grades, or code-specific structural requirements.
An optional percentage can be added to the total waste area after geometric calculations to reflect handling damage or ordering buffers.
For complex shapes, approximate by bounding rectangles or divide the slab into rectangles and sum results. Always verify with project drawings and standards.