ADVISORY NOTE

NUMBER: 008 JANUARY, 1991

REINFORCING STEEL

ADVISORY NOTE ON REINFORCING STEEL

NOTE NUMBER 008 JANUARY 1991

CONTENTS
PAGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 TABLES 1 2 3 4 5 6

INTRODUCTION REINFORCING STEEL SPECIFICATIONS DEFINITIONS SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS GRADES SIZES AND TOLERANCES STEEL MAKING PROCESS CHEMICAL COMPOSITION WELDING REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFORMATIONS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES QUALITY CONTROL PREFERRED NOMINAL SIZES CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AND MASS TOLERANCE ON MASS CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF STEEL TENSILE PROPERTIES REQUIREMENT FOR DEGREE OF BENDING AND SIZES OF PINS

1 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 7 9 10 10 16 6 6 7 9 14 15

DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

ADVISORY NOTE ON REINFORCING STEEL

DUBAI MUNICIPALITY NOTE NUMBER 008 JANUARY 1991

1.

INTRODUCTION

Steel is used in two different ways in concrete structures: as reinforcing steel and as prestressing steel. Reinforcing steel is placed in the forms prior to casting of concrete. They resist all load stress resultants in co-operation with the surrounding concrete. Stresses in the reinforcing steel, as in the hardened concrete, are caused only by the loads on the structure, except for possible parasitic stresses from shrinkage or similar causes. In contrast, in prestressed-concrete structures large tension forces are applied prior to letting it act jointly with the concrete in resisting external loads. The prestressing steel is hence referred as an active reinforcement. The term "active" describes the prestressing system constantly applying a force to the structural element regardless of the external loads on that element. In comparison, reinforced concrete is a passive reinforcing system. The steels for these usages are very different. This ADVISORY NOTE describes in general terms those essential properties of steel that form the basis of quality requirements and strength properties necessary to conform with compliance criteria of modern reinforced concrete design codes. The recommendations contained in major international standards which are of interest to local practices have been adopted.

2.

REINFORCING STEEL

The most common type of reinforcing steel (as distinct from prestressing steel) is in the form of bars/wires. These are classified according to methods of production (hot rolled or cold reduced or cold worked), surface characteristics (plain or deformed), strength grades (mild steel, or medium-tensile or high- tensile), and weldability.

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3.

SPECIFICATIONS

Steel reinforcing bars which are normally used in reinforced concrete construction in the Emirate comply to the following BS or ASTM specifications. BS 4449 'Carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete'. This British Standard specifies requirements for weldable steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete. It covers plain round steel bars in grade 250 and deformed high yield steel bars in grade 460. The standard applies equally to hot rolled and cold worked steel bars. ASTM A 706M 'Low-Alloy steel deformed bars for concrete reinforcement'. This specification covers low-alloy steel deformed bars for concrete reinforcement intended for special applications where welding or bending, or both are of importance. ASTM A 615M 'Deformed and plain Billet-Steel bars for concrete reinforcement'. Deformed bars complying to this specification are normally used in reinforced concrete construction in the Emirates. It is to be noted that the specification does not include weldability as part of the specification. However, if there is a necessity for welding this material, the specification shall be supplemented to require a report of material properties necessary to conform to the provisions of welding procedures. BS 4482: 'Cold reduced steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete'. This British Standard specifies requirements for cold reduced plain and deformed steel wire used for the reinforcement of concrete and for the manufacture of steel fabric. All reinforcing steels supplied in accordance with this standard are readily weldable.

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4. 4.1 4.2 4.3

DEFINITIONS Bar: A steel product of plain round or deformed profile, produced by hot rolling. Wire: A steel product of any form of cross section produced by cold reduction of an as-rolled rod. Deformed bar or wire: Bar or wire with surface characteristics designed to increase its bond with concrete, the degree of deformation being as defined in the relevant standards.

The following definitions apply.

4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10

Rib: A protrusion on the outside of the bar/wire designed to increase its bond with concrete. Longitudinal rib: A uniform continuous protrusion parallel to the axis of the bar/wire. Transverse rib: Any rib on the surface of the bar/wire other than a longitudinal rib. Cold worked deformed bar: A deformed bar which is produced by cold-working of an as-rolled bar to improve its yield strength property. Size (nominal size, d): The diameter of a circle with an area equal to the effective cross-sectional area of the bar, rod or wire. Nominal Density: The value of 0.00785 kg/mm2, per metre run taken for the purpose of converting a length and cross-sectional area of a wire to its mass. Yield point: The stress at the point reached during the test when plastic deformation occurs without any increase in the force, in material exhibiting a yield phenomenon.

4.11 4.12 4.13

Yield stress: The stress measured during the tensile test when the extension is a specified percentage increase in the gauge length. Yield Strength: The yield strength is either the yield point or the yield stress whichever is lower. Characteristic strength: That value of the yield stress below which fall not more than 5% of the test results.

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4.14 4.15

Tensile strength: The stress corresponding to the maximum force sustained during a tension test of steel product. Percentage total elongation at fracture: The total elongation (elastic elongation plus plastic elongation) of the gauge length at the moment of fracture, expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length.

4.16

Batch: Any quantity of bars or wires of one size and grade, produced by one manufacturer or supplier, presented for examination at any one time.

5. 5.1

SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS Deformed Bars

In reinforced concrete a long-time trend is evident toward the use of higher-strength materials, both steel and concrete. Hot-rolled plain reinforcing bars with 33-ksi (228 MPa) yield points, which were widespread not too long ago, are no longer made. Hotrolled deformed steel bars with 410-460 MPa yield by stress, referred to as high-yield steel bars, are the commonly used reinforcements nowadays. For most effective reinforcing action, it is essential that steel and concrete deform together, i.e., that there be a sufficiently strong bond between the two materials. This bond is provided by the relatively large chemical adhesion which develops at the steelconcrete interface, and by the natural roughness of the mill scale of hot-rolled reinforcing bars. But the extent of bond thus developed is found to be inadequate when high-yield steel bars are used. To increase the bond with concrete, the surface of the bar is provided with lugs or ribshaped protrusions, termed as deformations, in order to provide a high degree of interlocking of the two materials. Minimum requirements for these deformations (spacing, projection, etc.) have been developed in lengthy experimental research and are specified in the standards. Different bar producers use different patterns, all of which should satisfy these requirements.

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5.2

Plain bars

Plain smooth round bars are produced as hot-rolled possessing a yield point stress of 250 MPa. They can be readily bent, so they are often used where small radius bends are necessary. The design codes permit the use of plain bars and smooth wire only for spiral reinforcement either as lateral reinforcement for compression members, for torsion members, or for confining reinforcement for splices.

5.3

Cold Worked Bars

Cold worked steel bars are recognizable by their twisted configuration of ribs. These types of bars are more or less obsolete locally and are not recommended; when compared with hot rolled bars they exhibit inferior bond characteristic. Cold worked steels are normally readily weldable but they tend to loose strength after heating.

6.

GRADES

The specifications mentioned above cover bars of different minimum yield strength levels: namely, 250 Mpa, 300 MPa, 400 MPa, 460 MPa, and 500 Mpa, designated as Grades 250, 300, 400, 460, & 500, respectively.

7. 7.1

SIZES AND TOLERANCES Sizes

The range of nominal sizes of bars/wires are given in table 1.The nominal dimensions ( nominal diameter and cross-sectional area) of a deformed bar are equivalent to those of a plain round bar having the same mass per metre as the deformed bar. approximate the numbers of millimetre. In ASTM specifications, the size of bars are designated by numbers. The designated numbers

DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

TABLE 1 PREFERRED NOMINAL SIZES

Spec BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4482 ASTM A 706M Grade 250 460 460 400 Type Plain Deformed Plain/ Deformed Deformed Nominal Sizes Dia. mm 8, 10, 12, 16 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
Nominal Sizes Dia. mm 11.3 16.0 19.5 25.2 29.9 35.7 43.7 Designation No 10 15 20 25 30 35 45

ASTM A 615M

300

400 500

Plain / Designation numbers and corresponding diametres Deformed are as in above ASTM A 706M

7.2

Cross-Sectional Area and Mass

The cross-sectional area and the mass of the bars/wires shall be calculated on the basis that these steels have a mass of 0.00785 kg/mm2 per metre run. The values shall be as given in Table 2.

TABLE 2 CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AND MASS

Bars/Wires to BS Specifications Nominal Mass per Cross Size Metre Sectional mm Run, Kg Area, mm2 5 19.6 0.154 6 28.3 0.022 7 38.5 0.302 8 50.3 0.395 9 63.6 0.499 10 78.5 0.616 12 113.1 0.888 16 201.1 1.579 20 314.2 2.466 25 490.9 3.854 32 804.2 6.313 40 1256.6 9.864 Bars to ASTM Specifications Mass per Diameter Cross mm Metre Section Area mm2

Bar Desig Nation No

10 15 20 25 30 35 45

11.3 16.0 19.5 25.2 29.9 35.7 43.7

100 200 300 500 700 1000 1500

0.785 1.570 2.355 3.925 5.495 7.850 11.775

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7.3

Tolerances

British Standards specifies tolerances both for cross-sectional dimension and mass while ASTM to mass only. The deviation of any cross-sectional dimension, other than those of ribs, from its nominal size, shall not exceed 8%. Tolerance on mass shall be as given in Table 3.
TABLE 3. TOLERANCE ON MASS
Specifications BS 4449 Nominal Size mm 6 8 & 10 12 & Above Under 12 12 All Sizes Tolerance on Mass Per Metre Run % 9 6.5 4.5 6.5 4.5 - 6 and over-mass of any bar be the cause of rejection.

BS 4482 ASTM A 706 M &

ASTM A 615 M 8. STEEL MAKING PROCESS

The steel is made by refining molten iron in a top-blown basic oxygen converter or by melting in a basic lined electric furnace. The bars are processed from properly identified heat moldcast or strand cast steel.

9.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The metallurgical phases of steel are ferrite, pearlite and cementite. The presence and extent of these phases are governed mainly by the carbon content in the steel. Below about 0.8% carbon, there would be both ferrite and pearlite phases. With increasing carbon content, from near 0%, the ferrite phase decreases with a corresponding increase in pearlite phase and at about 0.8% carbon, there would be pearlite phase alone. It has been established that with the increase of pearlite phase, tensile strength of steel increases while elongation property i.e ductility reduces. The maximum tensile strength is attained at about 100 % pearlite phase but the ductility will then be near zero i.e the steel would be brittle.

DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

Thus, the mechanical properties of steel are related to the carbon content. To have a steel of desirable properties the carbon content is to be controlled which is found to lie in a narrow range of 0.25% to 0.35%. Alloying elements used in the manufacture of steel modify the phase diagram so that the point at which the maximum pearlite phase forms is at a different percentage of carbon. Therefore, an index called 'Carbon equivalent' (CE) has been introduced which converts the amount of these alloying elements into equivalent percentage of carbon. Elements commonly used include : Manganese (Mn), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V), Columbium (Co), Titanium (Ti), and Zirconium (Zi). Elements, Sulphur(S), Phosphorus(P), Nitrogen are impurities and they have to be kept low and maximum limits for these are specified in the standards. Choice and use of alloying elements, combined with carbon, phosphorus, and sulphur to give the mechanical properties prescribed in the standards is made by the manufacturer. The heat analysis shall be such as to provide a carbon equivalent value (CEV) not exceeding the values specified in the Standards. The formulae to be used to calculate carbon equivalent value are given in the specifications. BS 4449 gives the following formula, where the individual values are calculated as percentages.

CEV = C +

Mn Cr + Mo + V Ni + Cu + + 6 5 15

The chemical composition of the steel based on cast analysis and that of finished bars representing each heat of steel shall be in accordance with Table 4.

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TABLE 4. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF STEEL

Specification Grade Cast / Product
Cast Bar Cast Bar Cast Cast Bar Cast Bar

Elements, % Maximum
C 0.250 0.270 0.250 0.270 0.250 0.300 0.330 S 0.060 0.065 0.050 0.055 0.060 0.045 0.053 P 0.060 0.065 0.050 0.055 0.060 0.035 0.043 Mn Si

Carbon Equivalent Maximum Value, %

BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4482 ASTM A 706 M ASTM A 706 M ASTM A 615 M ASTM A 615 M

250 250 460 460 460 400 400 300 400 500 300 400 500

1.50 1.56

0.50 0.55 0.060

0.075

0.42 0.45 0.51 0.54 0.42 0.55

10.

WELDING

Reinforcing bars should not be welded without regard to steel weldability and proper welding procedures. Standards specify requirements for material intended for welding in terms of carbon equivalent value (CEV) and chemical composition restrictions. Welding technique is of fundamental importance and welding procedures and consumables appropriate to the particular grade and quality should be used. The steel chemistry is to be restricted to a given range to suit a specified procedure. The important consideration is that the specified welding procedure and steel weldability be compatible. American Welding Society Standard, AWS D1.4: Structural Welding Code - Reinforcing Steel and BS 7123 Metal arc welding of Steel for concrete reinforcement, give recommended welding practices, including pre-heat and interpass temperatures based on the carbon equivalent value, and the procedure prescribed therein is mandatory. The execution of welding provisions should be entrusted people to appropriately qualified and experienced

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11.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFORMATIONS

Deformed bars shall have surface shape as specified in the relevant specifications. Bars are normally produced to these requirements. When bars do not comply with such requirements or when in doubt, the performance tests as described in appendix B of BS 4449, shall be conducted by a competent laboratory. The findings of the laboratory shall be regarded as final. The principle of the test is to show that deformed bars,for the grade of steel from which the bars are made, will hold for 2 minutes the specified characteristic strength in a pullout test with a free end slip not greater than 0.2mm.

12.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Although the tensile strength of the steel bar is regarded as the most important specified property, it is only one in an array of properties that determine the ability of the steel to be used effectively and safely under all conditions. The important properties can be summarised as follows: Tensile Strength: To impart strength to the reinforced concrete structure. Tensile Ductility: To provide structural integrity in the presence of cracking. Bond Performance: To enable the concrete unit to possess tensile properties. Fatigue Resistance: To enable the structure to endure cyclical loading from causes such as tide and wave movements, wind and traffic. Formability: To enable the steel to be bent on small radii with a precise response. Weldability: To permit joining of bars as splices or in the pre- fabrication of complex units under non-ideal conditions. Consistency: To ensure that the above requirements are met with the same response on every occasion. The array of properties is met by a combination of chemical composition and rolling mill practice but there is frequently a tendency for individual requirements to be incompatible. For example, tensile strength and ductility, as discussed in para 9 above, are inversely

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DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

related and therefore the ability simultaneously is limited.

with which high values of both can be achieved

Further, the work of the reinforcement fabricator which is aimed at providing accurate cut and bent pieces, improve the above properties but may have a detrimental effect by damaging the steel. Bad bending operations cause considerable amount of damage to the ribs of deformed bar which can create premature failure.

NOTE: All bars should be free from defects, e.g. seams, porosity, segregation, nonmetallic inclusions etc., which can be shown to adversely affect the mechanical properties.

12.1

Condition of Test Specimens

The tensile, bend and rebend tests shall be carried out on straight bars/wires in the delivery or accelerated aged condition. At the option of the manufacturer or supplier and in order to simulate natural ageing, test specimens may be subjected to a temperature of 100 degrees celsius for a period of not more than 2 hours.

12.2

Tensile Properties

12.2.1 Stress-strain curves.

The two chief numerical characteristics which determine the character of reinforcement are its yield point (generally identical in tension and in compression) and its modulus of elasticity E. The latter is practically the same for all reinforcing steels and is taken as E = 200 kN/mm2. In addition, however, the shape of the stress-strain curve of tensile test of steel, and particularly of its initial portion, has significant influence on reinforced- concrete members. the performance of

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DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

Low-carbon steels, typified by the 250 MPa steel tensile test stress-strain curve, show an elastic portion followed by a "yield plateau," i.e. by a horizontal portion of the curve where strain continues to increase at constant stress. For such steels the yield point is that stress at which the yield plateau establishes itself. With further strains the stress begins to increase again, though at a slower rate, a process which is known as strain- hardening. The curve flattens out when the tensile strength is reached; it then turns down until fracture occurs. Higher-strength carbon steels, such as those with 400 - 500 MPa yield points, either have a yield plateau of much shorter length or enter strain-hardening immediately without any continued yielding at constant stress. While, low-alloy, high-strength reinforcing steels rarely show any yield plateau and usually enter strain-hardening immediately upon beginning to yield. In such cases the yield point is defined as the stress at which the total strain under load is 0.45 to 0.55 percent. Depending upon properties of the steel and manufacturing process, the specifications prescribe the strain (as shown in Table 5, column 3) for determination of yield strengths that result in more practical controls on production. But the design Codes (BS 8110: Structural Use of Concrete and ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete) define yield strengths somewhat differently from corresponding steel specifications. These Codes limit the yield strength over 400 MPa to a stress corresponding to a maximum extension under load strain of 0.35 percent. The purpose is to provide a basis for standard structural computations in accordance with generally accepted theoretical equations. The 0.35 strain requirement is not applied to reinforcing bars having yield strength of 400 MPa or less, because of elasto-plastic stress-strain behavior of such steel. It should be noted that 0.35 percent strain is the ultimate strain in concrete assumed in design Codes and for compatibility of strain between steel and concrete, the yield strength of steel is also set to correspond to this value.

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12.2.2 Requirements of Tensile Properties

The steel, as represented by the test specimens, shall conform to the requirements for tensile properties-tensile strength, yield stress and elongation-prescribed in Table 5. The tests on bars/wires to British specifications shall be carried out in accordance with Appendix C of BS 4449, while bars to ASTM specifications shall be to ASTM A 370 'Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products.' The yield point or yield stress shall be determined by one of the following methods: a) b) The yield point shall be determined by drop of the beam or halt in the gauge of the testing machine. Where the steel does not have a well-defined yield point, the yield stress shall be determined at a specified extension under load using an autographic diagram method or an extensometer. The specified extension under load i.e. the total strain under load shall be that prescribed in Table 5, appropriate to steel grade and specification. The yield strength shall be either the yield point or the yield stress whichever is lower. The Ductility i.e. the percentage elongation shall be as prescribed in Table 5. Ductility is an important parameter in flexural members or columns with significant bending and can be critical only if the percentage of reinforcing steel is very low so that there is possibility of steel rupture before concrete crushing. Rupture of longitudinal steel has generally been precluded in bending members by using steel with ductilities as defined by standard specifications and by imposing lower limits on steel percentage. Ductility is obviously important in members subjected to membrane tension. However, it is important in any inelastic analysis to realize that the "useful" ductility is limited to the strain corresponding to the greatest stress on the engineering stress-strain curve, which may be less than half of the ultimate ductility.

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TABLE 5. TENSILE PROPERTIES

Specification Grade Strain % 0.33 0.43 0.43 0.35 Specified Yield Strength, MPa Min 250*** 460*** 460*** 400 Max 275 510 540 550 Tensile Strengt, MPa Min Gauge Ductility Elongation % Minimum

BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4482 ASTM A 706M

250 460 460 400

5 d* 5d 5.65S** 200 mm

22
12 12 14 For bar Nos. 10,15,20 12 For bar Nos. 25,30,35 10 For bar Nos. 45,55 11 For bar No. 10 12 For bar Nos. 15,20 9 For bar Nos. 10,15,20 8 For bar No. 25 7 For bar Nos. 30,35,45,55 6 For bar Nos. 35,45,5

ASTM A 615M ASTM A 615M

300 400

0.50 0.50

300 400

500 600

200 mm 200 mm

ASTM A 615M

500

0.35

500

700

200 mm

Note:
* ** *** d is the nominal size of the test piece. S is the original cross-sectional area of the test piece The figures shown for steels to BS specifications under yield strength heading are to be reckoned ascharacteristic strength values.

12.2.3 Verification of Characteristic Strength (Cv).

Where the characteristic strength, Cv of the material is in doubt/ dispute, the British Standards prescribe criteria for its verification. The bars/wires in a batch shall be considered to comply with the specified Cv provided that actual yield stress test results of specimens representing the batch satisfy the following conditions.

BS 4449 requires that :

a) b) a) b)

no test results in any three tests are less than Cv, alternatively all test results in any ten tests are equal to or greater than 0.93 Cv. not more than two test results in any 40 consecutive tests are less than Cv, and no test results are less than 0.93 Cv.

BS 4482 requires that :

Note: From the above criterion, it follows that for grade 460 steel, the actual yield stress can be 0.93 x 460 = 427.8 MPa, say 425 MPa. Even when all the ten test results are 427.8 MPa, the steel, as per specifications, qualify it to be designated

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DM NOTE NUMBER 008, JANUARY 1991

as grade 460. But the common practice with the Design Engineers has been to assume its yield strength to be 425 MPa. It is also to be noted that BS 8110 recommends that design may be based on the appropriate characteristic strength or a lower value if necessary to reduce the deflection or control cracking.

12.3

Bending Properties

The test methods for evaluating bending properties of the metal shall be as given in appendix C of BS 4449. The specimens shall be the full section of the bar/wire as producedand be of sufficient length to ensure free bending. The requirements for degree of bending and sizes of pins/formers are prescribed in Table 6. The specimens shall withstand being bent around a pin/former without transverse cracking on the outside of the bent portion. For the purpose of this test, the presence of any mill scale is ignored. When rebend testing is specified, the specimens shall be subjected to the prescribed sequence of operations and that they show no sign of fracture or irregular bending.

TABLE 6 REQUIREMENT FOR DEGREE OF BENDING AND SIZES OF PINS

Specification BS 4449 BS 4449 BS 4482 ASTM A 706M Grade 250 460 460 400 180 180 180 300 180 400 180 180 90 500 90 Bend Test 180 180 180 Angle of Bend Pin Diameter 2 d* 3d No requirement 3 d for Bar Nos 10,15 4 d for Bar Nos. 20,25 6 d for Bar Nos. 30,35 8 d for Bar Nos. 45,55
3.5 d for Bar Nos. 10,15

Rebend Test 45 back to 23 45 back to 23 45 back to 23

Angle of Bend Pin Diameter 2d 5d 5d No requirement

ASTM A 615M ASTM A 615M

180 180

5 d for Bar Nos. 20

3.5 d for Bar Nos. 10,15

ASTM A 615M

180

5 d for Bar Nos. 20,25 7 d for Bar Nos. 30,35 9 d for Bar Nos. 45, 55 7 d for Bar No. 35 9 d for Bar Nos. 45, 55

No requirement

No requirement

* d is the nominal diameter of specimen.

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12.4

Fatigue Properties of Deformed Bar

In practice, reinforcing steel has generally not been subject to fatigue failure. The ASTM specifications do not include restrictions regarding fatigue, but BS 4449 requires that fatigue properties for each defined bar shape and process route shall be established. The method of test is described in appendix D. Bars shall be deemed defective or nondefective depending upon their ability to endure 5 million cycles of stress at the specified stress range given for the relevant bar size.

13. 13.1

QUALITY CONTROL Marking

In order for bars of various grades and sizes to be easily distinguished, which is necessary to avoid accidental use of lower-strength or small-size bars than called for in the design, all deformed bars to ASTM specifications are furnished with rolled-on legible marks on the surface of the bars at intervals. These identify the producing mill (usually an initial), the bar size designation, the type of steel (letter W for steels to ASTM A 706 and letter S for steels to ASTM A 615 specifications), and minimum yield designation. Each manufacturer shall identify the symbols of his marking system. Plain round bars are tagged for grade only. BS 4449 requires that deformed bars to have rolled- on mark only for the origin of manufacturer at intervals not greater than 1.5 m. New notation letters for type and grade of reinforcement have been introduced in BS specifications as follows: R - grade 250 plain reinforcement to BS 4449. T- grade 460 deformed to BS 4449 or BS 4482. W - grade 460 plain reinforcement to BS 4482. Note: The above notations supersedes the notation Y but some design offices still use the Y notation in the schedules/drawings.

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13.2

Internal Control

The manufacturer shall operate a quality control scheme which shall be available for inspection by prospective purchaser and inspecting agency. The scope of internal control to cover cast analysis, testing of specimens and recording keeping of test results, which shall be maintained for a period of ten years. The rate of testing shall be. a) b) For casts up to 50 ton :3 tensile tests, 1 bend test and 1 rebend test; For each 15 ton cast beyond 100 tons additional tests, one of each type.

13.3

Third Party Product Certification Scheme.

The application of quality assurance (QA) scheme is directed towards product conformity. This is achieved through Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules which identify to the manufacturer those elements of his operations which will be given special attention. The schedules lay down the sampling and testing procedures that will be carried out for both the initial assessment leading to a certificate of approval and subsequent surveillances carried out in the course of maintenance of the approval. The Scheme requires strict traceability of material to the parent steel making unit. This ensures that material is kept under control and that responsibility for performance is maintained. The steel mills that hold the QA scheme approval are permitted to put the scheme's identification rolling mark on the bars which, together with a system for identifying the country of origin and the mill provides a unique form of identification. Traceability is also applied to all technical documentation in that mill test certificates carry an embossed QA schemes logo complete with approval number.

13.4

Certificate of Compliance

A certificate shall be issued by the supplier stating the following. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Works producing the reinforcing steel. Nominal diameter and effective cross-sectional area. Grade. Marking system. Cast number and cast analysis.
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(f) (g) (h) (i)

Carbon equivalent value. Mass of the test unit and standard deviation of the population. The individual test results of the tensile, bend and rebend tests. Date of testing.

The certificate shall include the approval number, if any, issued by the Certifying Authority.

13.5

Testing

Material not covered by a third party product Certification Scheme shall be assessed by acceptance tests on each batch, even though the manufacturer has issued a Certificate of Compliance. The testing shall be carried out as deemed necessary (refer clause 13.5.1) at the Dubai Municipality Laboratory or at any approved laboratory in Dubai.

13.5.1 Extent of Sampling and Testing

For every 50 ton mass of the same steel grade and same nominal diameter from the same cast, test specimens shall be taken from the different bars/wires for testing as follows: a) b) c) d) e) f) For cross sectional checks and tensile property tests 3 Nos. For verification of characteristic strength, refer clause 12.2.3 10 Nos. For bend test 3 Nos. For re-bend test 3 Nos. For bond test (optional) 6 Nos. For chemical composition analysis and carbon equivalent value determination (Optional) 3 Nos. The properties are to be determined in testing the above sampled test specimens for checking compliance with the specifications. Should the results of the above tests show that the steel does not meet all the specified requirements, the whole batch is rejected and removed from the site.

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