Report on Steel Reinforcement—Material Properties and U.S. Availability

Description

The material properties of the various types of steel reinforcement produced for use in the U.S. are described. Types of steel reinforcement defined in this report include de formed reinforcing bars, plain and deformed wire, welded wire reinforcement, bar mats, and prestressing reinforcement. The requirements, restrictions, and testing information of pertinent ASTM specifications are reviewed. The availabilityof the various types and sizes of reinforcement in the U.S.is discussed.

Reinforcing bars are the most popular type of non prestressed reinforcing steel used in concrete construction. Approximately10 million tons of reinforcing bars are used in the U.S. every year. Nearly all reinforced concrete construction ,including precast and prestressed structures, requires some reinforcing bars. Most of the reinforcing bars used in construction are deformed bars; that is, the bars have deformations to enhance the bond of the steel to the surrounding concrete. Limits on the deformation dimensions, such as the minimum deformation height and maximum deformation spacing, are prescribed in ASTM specifications. Plain reinforcing bars, which do not have deformations, are only permitted by ACI 318 for spiralreinforcement as used in reinforced concrete columns.