M 53M
Standard Specification for
Axle-Steel Deformed and Plain Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 53M/M 53-941
(ASTM DESIGNATION: A 617/A 617M-93)
1. SCOPE1
1.1 This specification covers deformed
and plain axle-steel concrete reinforce-
ment bars. A deformed bar is defined as a
bar that is intended for use as reinforce-
ment in reinforced concrete construction.
The surface of the bar is provided with
lugs or protrusions (hereinafter called
deformations) which inhibit longitudinal
movement of the bar relative to the con-
crete which surrounds the bar in such
construction and conforms to the provi-
sions of this specification. The standard
sizes and dimensions of deformed bars
and their number designations shall be
those listed in Table la [Table lb].
1.2 Bars are of two minimum yield lev-
els: namely, 300 MPa [40000 psi] and
400 MPa [60000 psi], designated as
Grade 300 [40] and Grade 400 [60].
respectively.
1.3 Plain rounds, in sizes up to and in-
cluding 50 mm [2 in.] in diameter. in
coils or cut lengths, when specified for
dowels, spirals, and structural ties or
supports shall be furnished under this
specification in Grade 300 [40] and
Grade 400 [60]. For bending properties
test provisions of the nearest smaller
nominal diameter deformed bar size shall
apply. Those requirements providing for
deformations and marking shall not be
applicable.
1.4 The weldability of the steel is not part
of this specification.
1.5 This specification is applicable for
orders in either SI units (as Specification
M 53M) or inch-pound units (as Specifi-
cation M 53).
1.6 The values stated in either SI units or
inch-pound units are to be regarded as
standard. Within the text, the inch-pound
units are shown in brackets. The values
stated in each system are not exact
equivalents; therefore, each system must
be used independently of the other. Com-
bining values from the two systems may
result in nonconformance with the speci-
fication.
1
Agrees with ASTM A 617/A 617M-93 except for
S1 units and the bend testing procedure, which is
referenced to AASHTO T 285.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1 AASHTO Standards:
T 244 Methods and Definitions for
Mechanical Testing of Steel
Products
R 11 Recommended Practice for
Indicating Which Places of
Figures Are to Be Considered
Significant in Specified Lim-
iting Values
T 285 Bend Test for Bars for Con-
crete Reinforcement
2.2 ASTM Standards:
A 700 Recommended Practices for
Packaging, Marking, and
Loading Methods for Steel
Products for Domestic Ship-
ment
2.3 Military- Standards:
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment
and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products
Preparation for Shipment and
Storage
2.4 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. Nº 123 Marking for
Shipment (Civil Agencies)
3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1 Description of Terms Specific to This
Standard.
3.1.1 Deformed bar-steel bar with
protrusions: a bar that is intended for use
as reinforcement in reinforced concrete
construction.
3.1.1.1 Discussion-The surface of the bar
is provided with lugs or protrusions that
inhibit longitudinal movement of the bar
relative to the concrete surrounding the
bar in such construction. The lugs or
protrusions conform to the provisions of
this specification.
3.1.2 Deformations-protrusions on a
deformed bar.
3.1.3 Plain bar-steel bar without pro-
trusions.
4. ORDERING INFORMATION
4.1 Orders for material under this speci-
fication should include the following
information:
4.1.1 Quantity mass (weight),
4.1.2 Name of material (axle-steel
deformed and plain bars for concrete
reinforcement),
4.1.3 Size and length,
4.1.4 Deformed or plain,
4.1.5 Grade,
4.1.6 Packaging (see Section 20), and
4.1.7 AASHTO designation and year
of issue, and
4.1.8 Certified mill test reports (if
desired). (See Section 18).
NOTE 1-A typical ordering description is as
follows: 9 Mg axle-steel deformed and plain
bars for concrete reinforcement, Nº 25, 18 m
long, deformed, Grade 400. in secured lifts, to
AASHTO M 53M-_____ Certified mill test
reports are required.
[10 tons, axle-steel deformed and plain bars
for concrete reinforcement, No. 8, 30 ft 0 in.
long, deformed, Grade 60, in secured lifts, to
AASHTO M 53-_______ Certified mill test
reports required.]
5. MATERIAL AND MANUFAC-
TURE
5.1 The bars shall be rolled from carbon
steel axles for railway cars and locomo-
tives.
6. CARBON DETERMINATION
6.1 The manufacturer shall make a de-
termination for the carbon content of
each axle received by him for manufac-
ture into reinforcement bars. Based on
these carbon determinations, all steel
axles shall be stocked for subsequent
rolling in separated lots by carbon range.
The ranges of carbon shall be determined
by the manufacturer as those best suited
to meet the mechanical requirements.
6.2 When requested by the purchaser, the
manufacturer shall report the carbon
range for each lot of bars furnished.
40
M 53M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

7. REQUIREMENTS OF DEFOR-
MATIONS
7.1 Deformations shall be spaced along
the bar at substantially uniform distances.
The deformations on opposite sides of the
bar shall be similar in size and shape.
7.2 The deformations shall be placed
with respect to the axis of the bar so that
the included angle is not less than 45°.
Where the line of deformations forms an
included angle with the axis of the bar
from 45° to 70° inclusive, the deforma-
tions shall alternately reverse in direction
on each side, or those on one side shall be
reversed in direction from those on the
opposite side. Where the line of deforma-
tion is over 70°, a reversal in direction is
not required.
7.3 The average spacing or distance
between deformations on each side of the
bar shall not exceed seven-tenths of the
nominal diameter of the bar.
7.4 The overall length of deformations
shall be such that the gap between the
ends of the deformations on opposite
sides of the bar shall not exceed 12V,
percent of the nominal perimeter of the
bar. Where the ends terminate in a longi-
tudinal rib, the width of the longitudinal
rib shall be considered the gap. Where
more than two longitudinal ribs are in-
volved, the total width of all longitudinal
ribs shall not exceed 25 percent of the
nominal perimeter of the bar; further-
more, the summation of gaps shall not
exceed 25 percent of the nominal perime-
ter of the bar. The nominal perimeter of clearly established by determinations on
the bar shall be 3.14 times the nominal each lot (Note 2) tested that typical de-
diameter. formation height, gap, or spacing do not
7.5 The spacing, height, and gap of de- conform to the minimum requirements
prescribed in Section 7. No rejection may
formations shall conform to the require-
ments prescribed in Table la [Table lb]. be made on the basis of measurements if
fewer than 10 adjacent deformations on
each side of the bar are measured.
8. MEASUREMENTS OF DEFOR-
NOTE 2-A lot is defined as all the bars of one
MATIONS
bar number and pattern of deformations con-
tained in an individual shipping release or
shipping order.
8.1 The average spacing of deformations
shall be determined by dividing a meas-
ured length of the bar specimen by the
number of individual deformations and 9. TENSILE REQUIREMENTS
fractional parts of deformations on any
one side of the bar specimens. A meas- 9.1 Grade 300 [40] and Grade 400 [60]-
ured length of the bar specimen shall be The material as represented by the test
considered the distance from a point on a specimens shall conform to the require-
deformation to a corresponding point on ments for tensile properties prescribed in
any other deformation on the same side Table 2a [Table 2b] when tested in ac-
of the bar. Spacing measurements shall cordance with Sections 11 to 13 of T 244.
not be made over a bar area containing
bar marking symbols involving letters or
numbers. TABLE 2a Tensile Requirements, SI Units
8.2 The average height of deformations Grade Grade
shall be determined from measurements 300 400
made on not less than two typical defor- Tensile strength, min, MPa 500 600
mations. Determinations shall be based Yield strength, min, MPa 300 400
on three measurements per deformation, Elongation in 200 mm, min, percent
Bar Nº:
one at the center of the overall length and
10 11 8
the other two at the quarter points of the 15, 20 12 8
overall length. 25 10 7
8.3 Insufficient height, insufficient 30 9 7
35 7 7
circumferential coverage, or excessive
spacing of deformations shall not consti-
tute cause for rejection unless it has been

TABLE la Deformed Bar Designation Numbers, Nominal Masses, Nominal Dimensions and Deformation Requirements, SI Units

Nominal DimensionsA Deformation Requirements, mm

Bar Designation Nominal
Diameter. Cross-Sectional Perimeter, Maximum Aver- Minimum Aver- Maximum Gap (Chord of
NºB Mass. kg/m
mm Area, mm, mm age Spacing age Height 12.5% of Nominal Perimeter)
10 0.785 11.3 100 35.5 7.9 0.45 4.4
15 1.570 16.0 200 50.3 11? 0.72 6.3
20 2.355 19.5 300 61.3 13.6 0.98 7.7
25 3.925 25.2 2 500 79.2 17.6 1.26 9.9
30 5.495 29.9 700 93.9 20.9 1.48 11.7
35 7.850 35.7 1000 112.2 25.0 1.70 14.0
A
The nominal dimensions of a deformed bar are equivalent to those of a plain round bar having the same mass per meter as the deformed bar.
B
Bar designation numbers approximate the number of millimeters of the nominal diameter of the bar.

TABLE lb Deformed Bar Designation Numbers. Nominal Weights, Nominal Dimensions and Deformation Requirements, Inch-Pound Units

Nominal DimensionsA Deformation Requirements, in.

Bar Designa- Nominal
Diameter, Cross-Sectional Perimeter. Maximum Aver- Minimum Aver- Maximum Gap (Chord of
tion NºB Weight, lb/ft
in. Area, in.2 in. age Spacing age Height 12.5% of Nominal Perimeter)
3 0.376 0.375 0.11 1.178 0.262 0.015 0.143
4 0.668 0.500 0.20 1.571 0.350 0.020 0.191
5 1.043 0.625 0.31 1.963 0.437 0.028 0.239
6 1.502 0.750 0.44 2.356 0.51_5 0.038 0.286
7 2.044 0.875 0.60 2.749 0.612 0.044 0.334
8 2.670 1.000 0.79 3.142 0.700 0.050 0.383
9 3.400 1.128 1.00 3.544 0.790 0.056 0.431
10 4.303 1.270 1.27 3.990 0.889 0.064 0.487
11 5.313 1.410 1.56 4.430 0.987 0.071 0.540
A
The nominal dimensions of a deformed bar are equivalent to those of a plain round bar having the same weight per foot as the deformed bar.
B
Bar numbers are based on the number of eighths of an inch included in the nominal diameter of the bars.

41
M 53M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE 2b Tensile Requirements, Inch 10.2 Other acceptable more severe 15. RETESTS
Pound Units methods of bend testing, such as placing
Grade Grade a specimen across two pins free to rotate
40A 60 and applying the bending force with a 15.1 If any tensile property of the test
Tensile strength, min, psi 70000 90000
fixed pin, may be used. When failures specimen is less than that specified in
Yield strength, psi 40000 60000 Section 9 and any part of the fracture is
occur under more severe methods, retests
Elongation in 8 in., min, outside the middle third of the gage
percent: shall be permitted under the bend test
method prescribed in AASHTO T 285. length. as indicated by scribe scratches
Bar Nº: marked on the specimen before testing, a
3 11 8 retest shall be allowed.
4, 5, 6 12 8
11. PERMISSIBLE VARIATION IN 15.2 If the results of an original ten-
7 11 8
8 10 7
WEIGHT sion specimen fail to meet the specified
9 9 7 minimum requirements and are within 14
10 8 7 11.1 The permissible variations shall MPa [2000 psi] of the required tensile
11 7 7 not exceed 6 percent under nominal strength, within [7 MPa] 1000 psi of the
A
Sizes 7 through I I may not be readily avail- required yield point, or within two per-
mass. Reinforcing bars are evaluated on
able: manufacturers should be consulted to centage units of the required elongation,
verify availability the basis of nominal mass. In no case
shall overmass of any bar be the cause for a retest shall be permitted on two random
9.2 The yield point or yield strength shall rejection. specimens for each original tension
be determined by one of the following specimen failure from the lot. If all re-
11.2 The specified limit of variation sults of these retest specimens meet the
methods: shall be evaluated in accordance with specified requirements, the lot shall be
9.2.1 The yield point shall be deter- Recommended Practice R11 (rounding accepted.
mined by the drop of the beam or halt of method).
the point method as described in Section 15.3 If a bend test fails for reasons
13.1.1 of T 244. other than mechanical reasons or flaws in
12. FINISH the specimen as described in Sections
9.2.2 Where the steel tested does not
15.4 and 15.5, a retest shall be permitted
exhibit a well-defined yield point, the
on two random specimens from the same
yield point shall be determined at exten- 12.1 The bars shall be free of detri-
lot. If the results of both test specimens
sion under load using an extensometer as mental surface imperfections.
meet the specified requirements, the lot
described in Section 13.1.3 of T 244. The 12.2 Rust, seams, surface irregulari- shall be accepted. The retest shall be
extension under load shall be 0.005 ties, or mill scale shall not be cause for performed on test specimens that are at
mm/mm of gage length (0.5 percent). rejection, provided the mass, dimensions, air temperature but not less than 16°C
9.3 The percentage of elongation shall be cross-sectional area, and tensile proper- (60°F).
as prescribed in Table 2a [Table 2b] ties of a hand-wire brushed test are not
15.4 If any test specimen fails because
when tested in accordance with Section less than the requirements of this specifi-
of mechanical reasons such as failure of
13.4 of T 244. cation.
testing equipment, it may be discarded
12.3 Surface imperfections other than and another specimen taken.
10. BENDING REQUIREMENTS those specified in Section 12.2 shall be
15.5 If any test specimen develops
considered detrimental when specimens
flaws, it may be discarded and another
containing such imperfections fail to
10.1 The bend-test specimen shall specimen from the same lot of 9 Mg [10
conform to either tensile or bending
withstand being bent around a pin with- tons] or fraction thereof substituted.
requirements.
out cracking on the outside of the bent
portion when tested according to 16. INSPECTION
AASHTO T 285. The requirements for 13. TEST SPECIMENS
angle of bending and size of pins are
prescribed in Table 3a [Table 3b]. 16.1 The inspector representing the
13.1 Tension test specimens shall be
purchaser shall have free entry, at all
the full section of bar as rolled.
times while work on the contract of the
TABLE 3a Bend Test Requirements, SI 13.2 The unit stress determinations on purchaser is being performed, to all parts
Units full-size specimens shall be based on the of the manufacturer's works that concern
Pin Diameter for Bend Tests nominal bar area.
Bar Designa-
180º
the manufacture of the material ordered.
tion Nº. 13.3 The bend test specimens shall be The manufacturer shall afford the inspec-
Grade 300 Grade 400
10, 15 3 ½ dA 3½d the full section of the bar as rolled. tor all reasonable facilities to satisfy him
20, 25 5d 5d that the material is being furnished in
30, 35 5d 7d accordance with this specification. All
A 14. NUMBER OF TESTS tests and inspection shall be made at the
d = nominal diameter of specimen.
place of manufacture prior to shipment,
14.1 For bar sizes Nº 10 to Nº 35 [Nº 3 unless otherwise specified, and shall be
TABLE 3b Bend Test Requirements, Inch-
to Nº 11] inclusive, one tension test and so conducted as not to interfere unneces-
Pound Units
Pin Diameter for Bend Tests one bend test shall be made from each lot sarily with the operation of the works.
Bar Designa- (Note 2) of 9 Mg [10 tons] or fraction
180º 16.2 For Government Procurement
tion Nº.
Grade 40 Grade 60 thereof, rolled from each lot of axles Only.-Except as otherwise specified in
3, 4. 5 3 ½ dA 3½d assorted in groups as specified in Section the contract, the contractor is responsible
6, 7, 8 5d 5d 5. for the performance of all inspection and
9, 10, 11 5d 7d test requirements specified herein. Except
A
d = nominal diameter of specimen. as otherwise specified in the contract, the

42
M 53M
contractor may use his own or any other
suitable facilities for the performance of
the inspection and test requirements
specified herein, unless disapproved by
the purchaser at the time of purchase. The
purchaser shall have the right to perform
any of the inspections and tests at the
same frequency as set forth in this speci-
fication where such inspections are
deemed necessary to assure that material
conforms to prescribed requirements.
17. REJECTION
17.1 Material that shows injurious
defects subsequent to its acceptance at
the manufacturer's works will be rejected,
and the manufacturer shall be notified.
18. TEST REPORTS
18.1 When specified in the purchase
order, report the following information,
on a per lot basis. Additional items may
be reported as requested or desired.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
18.1.1 Carbon level.
18.1.2 Tensile properties.
18.1.3 Bend test.
19. MARKING
19.1 When loaded for mill shipment,
bars shall be properly separated and
tagged with the manufacturer's test iden-
tification number.
19.2 Each manufacturer shall identify
the symbols of his marking system.
19.3 All bars produced to this specifi-
cation, except plain round bars which
shall be tagged for grade, shall be identi-
fied by a distinguishing set of marks
legibly rolled into the surface of one side
of the bar to denote in the following
order:
19.3.1 Point of Origin-Letter or symbol
established as the manufacturer's mill
designation.
19.3.2 Size Designation-Arabic number
corresponding to Bar Designation Num-
ber of Table la [Table lb].
19.3.3 Type of Steel-Letter A indicating
that the bar was produced from axle steel.
19.3.4 Minimum Yield Designation-For
Grade 400 [60] bars, either the number 4
[60] or a single continuous longitudinal
line through at least five spaces offset
from the center of the bar side.
20. PACKAGING
20.1 When specified in the purchase
order, packaging shall be in accordance
with the procedures in Practices ASTM A
700.
20.2 For Government Procurement
Only-When specified in the contract or
order, and for direct procurement by or
direct shipment to the U.S. Government,
material shall be preserved, packaged,
and packed in accordance with the re-
quirements of MIL-STD-163. The appli-
cable levels shall be as specified in the
contract. Marking for shipment of such
material shall be in accordance with Fed.
Std. Nº 123 for civil agencies and
MILSTD-129 for military agencies.
43