A reader's Concrete and Concreting question: Tilting Column?

Arun S   from   new Delhi : India   had this Tilting Column question.

1.how the reinforcement is provided in a vertically tilted column?
2.While calculating the quantities prior to the commencement of the project is there any kind of the thumb rule so that we can calculate the various quantities mentioned as below
1 steel
2 shuttering or form work
3 concrete
please revert back as soon as possible

Bill's answer

Hi Arun,
Good to hear from you,
As far as rebar in tilted columns, set up the bottom side first, like the soffit of a stair, but steeper I guess. But with a full amount of props etc.
Then fix the rebar resting on the soffit with bars chairs supporting.
Fix the two sides and place bar chairs again.
Then fix the top and use column clamps to finish it off.

As far as rule of thumbs go, I'll tell you, the jobs I have done that I have lost money on, were through using a rough rule of thumb, so much a square metre or so much a tonne for rebar, etc.
I think the only way is to work the quantities and the individual prices out accurately.

Having said that, there are various books available that give cost information, for one I go to our local university library and read Rawlinsons price guide.
http://www.rawlhouse.com/CCG.htm
This is very Australian in content, but apart from the local stuff they give various other bits of information in general.
I don't know what is available where you are, but there will be something similar, but use the figures with caution.