ENGINEERING
DATA REPORT
NUMBER 58
Reinforced Concrete Shear Strength Analysis
with Strut-and-Tie Models – Part 2
A SERVICE OF THE CONCRETE REINFORCING STEEL INSTITUTE
933 N. Plum Grove Rd., Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4758
Introduction
Report No. 56, “Reinforced Concrete Shear Analysis
with Strut-and-Tie Models–Part 1”, included an example
“Deep Beam Design for Shear”. The example, called
Example 1 in this report, presented the structural analysis
of the deep beam, and calculation of the required rein-
forcement. Fig. 1 below shows the reinforcement required
for the deep beam.
Fig. 1 Example 1 – Reinforcement Required
In this report, two additional examples are presented:
• Example No. 2 – Design of Deep Transfer Beam
• Example No. 3 – Design of a Deep Spandrel Beam
Fig. 2 Frame with Two-Span Transfer Beam
© Copyright 2006 by the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
Example 2: Transfer Beam Design - Using Strut-
and-Tie and “Beam Theory” Procedures
The two interior 16-in. × 16-in. corridor columns above
a ground level atrium area are supported by the 24-in. wide
and 36-in. deep transfer beams shown in Fig. 2. The
forces on the corridor columns are transferred to a single
20-in. × 24-in. column at the center of the frame. Loads
from the corridor columns were determined from elastic
analysis. The clear span from face of center column to
face of each large concentrated load at corridor columns
is 6’-8” less 1/2 (16 + 24) = 5’-0” or 60 in. Assuming beam
depth d as 33 in., Section 11.8.1* defines these regions
as deep beams, and Section 11.8.2 requires design using
Appendix A.
Maximum shear above the interior support column
occurs when both spans are fully loaded with live load.
Maximum positive moments in the support beams occur
when live loads are removed from the adjacent span.
Maximum shears and maximum moments were obtained
* Section numbers refer to sections in ACI 318-05, “Building Code
Requirements for Structural Concrete”.
from conventional elastic analysis, and diagrams for
factored shear and for factored moment and are shown
in Fig. 2. The maximum factored shear of 304.7 kips is
less than 10Nv f c′bd = 10(0.75) 4,000 (24)(33) =
376,000 lbs or 376 kips. Thus, the beam is large enough
to satisfy Section 11.8.3. The truss forces for a strut-and-tie
model in the zone of maximum shear are shown also in
Fig. 2. The truss from the corridor columns to the center
support column consists of 4 panels 3’-4” long with a
vertical distance of 30 in. between chords. Compression
diagonals are 50-in. long between nodes. The angle, (,
between diagonals and the horizontal bars is tan–1 (30/40)
= 37°.
Fig. 3 contains a strut-and-tie model of the beam
panels adjacent to the center column showing forces in
struts and ties. The maximum chord force Fu across the
center column was determined from the theoretical
moment of 1,650 k-ft and an effective distance of 30 in.
(2.50 ft) between chords.
Fu = M u (d − 3) = 1,650(12) (33 − 3) = 660 kips
The area of reinforcement required for the 660 kip
tension forces across the center column is:
( ) [ ]
As = Fu φv f y = 660 0.75(60) = 14.7 in. 2 34(30/50) = 20.4 in. so that the compression stress in the
Use 14− #9 bars for As = 14(100
. ) = 14 in.2
(The required area of flexural steel determined by
“beam theory” for Mu = 1,650 k-ft is 13 in.2)
The beam is 24-in. wide, and 14-#9 bars fit conve-
niently in 2 rows of 7 bars. The 14–bar arrangement is
acceptable, even though the area is only 95 percent of that
computed. Additional longitudinal reinforcement for shear
also will be required.
Longitudinal reinforcement required for the maximum
positive moment of 518 k-ft is estimated as:
As = M u (0.9φ f f yd ) At the top end of the strut, the required node zone width
= (518)(12) (0.9)(0.90)(60)(33) = 388
. in.2
Fig. 3 Strut-and-Tie Model with Nodes
2
Use 7-#7 bars (As = 4.20 in.2 ), extending 4 bars into
center column to help align pairs of vertical stirrups.
Nodal zone sizes are governed in this structure by the
tension development length (distances required for force
transfer from concrete to steel) along the #9 top bars.
Section 12.2.3 provides for #9 top-cast bars with edge
distance and bar center-to-center spacings greater than
bar diameter db , an expression for 60,000 psi tension bar
development length:
l d = 3db f y (13 [ [
. ) 40 ( cb + Ktr ) db ] f ′]
c
= 3(113
. )(60,000)(13 [
. ) 60 4,000 = 69.7 in.]
The diagonal strut adjacent to the center column must
transfer its horizontal component of force = 508 (40 / 50)
= 407 kips into the reinforcement. The node width required
for that force transfer can be taken as the ratio between
the stress to be transferred fs and the 60 ksi yield strength.
f s = 407 As = 407 14.0 = 29.1 ksi
Required node length = Rd ( fs / fy ) = 69.7(29.1)/60 =
33.8 in., shown in Fig. 3 as 34 in.
The effective thickness of the diagonal strut becomes
strut:
[ ]
f c = Fu (20.4b) = 508 20.4(24) = 104
. ksi
Strength allowed with Eq. (1) in Report No. 56 at the
top CTT node = 0.6(0.85 f c′ ) = 0.6(0.85)4.0 = 2.04 ksi.
The same reasoning can be applied at the second
diagonal from the center, where the horizontal component
from the strut is:
Fu = ( 40 50) 439 = 351 kips
The transfer stress fs = 351/14 = 25.1 ksi.
= 69.7(25.1)/60 = 29.2 in.
In Fig. 3, the node size is shown at the bottom of the
strut. The top transfer length gives a strut thickness =
29.2(30/50) = 17.5 in.
Compression stress in the strut fs = 439/[24(17.5)] =
1.05 ksi.
The CCT top node permits diagonal strut strength =
0.8(0.85 f c′ ) = 0.8(0.85)4.0 = 2.72 ksi.
(At the bottom end of the strut, the horizontal force from
the strut is resisted by 253 kips in the bottom chord, and
only 91 kips needs to be transferred to tension reinforce-
ment in the bottom face.)
Section 11.8.5 requires horizontal bars at a spacing
not to exceed d/5 = 33/5 = 6.6 in. If bars are spaced 6
in. apart in each face, Section 11.8.5 requires:
 Ah > 0.0015bs = 0.0015(24)6 = 0.216 in.2 Use #4 bars
at 6 in. spacing in each face (Ah = 0.40 in.2). Place these
bars only in the deep beam region between corridor
columns.
Section 11.8.4 also limits the spacing of vertical bars
to d/5 = 33/5 = 6.6 in. Thus, Av > 0.0025bs = 0.0025(24)6
= 0.36 in.2 Use pairs of #4 bars at 6 in. spacing. (Av =
(2)0.40 = 0.80 in.2)
(If these panels had not been designed in accordance
with rules for deep beams, the end shear force would have
required pairs of #4 U stirrups at 5.5 in. spacing in these
panels of high shear.)
Design of this beam from the exterior support to the
corridor column can be accomplished by “beam theory”.
The minimum area of flexural reinforcement required by
Section 10.5.1 is 200bd/fy = 200(20)33/60,000 = 2.20 in.2
Flexural steel for negative moment of 448 k-ft at the outer
end can be computed as As = Mu /(0.9Nf fy d) = 12(448)/
[0.9(0.90)60(33)] = 3.35 in.2 Use 12-#5 hooked or bent
bars (As = 3.72 in.2), since #5 bars need only 11.9 inches
of tension development length. Approximately 13 in. of
embedment length is available in the 16-in. column.
Designing for shear by “beam theory” must use Section
11.6.6.3 to determine the minimum area of stirrup reinforce-
ment at a maximum spacing less than d/2. For deep
beams, maximum spacing is limited to 12 in., but custom-
ary design permits spacing = 16 in. such that:
Min. Av = 50bs f y = 50(20)16 60,000 = 0.27 in.2
Use single #4 U stirrups
Shear strength with #4 U stirrups at 16-in. spacing =
Nv (Vc + Vs) = Nv [(2bd f c′ ) + (Av fy d/s)].
[( ]
)
Vu = 0.75 2(24)33 4,000 + ( 2(0.20)60,000(33) 16)
= 112 kips
The maximum factored shear at the exterior support
is only 107.3 kips. Thus, single #4 U stirrups at 16 in.
spacing will be adequate for strength from the exterior end
to the 16-in. interior columns.
Fig. 4 Spandrel Beam Larger Than Required for Strength
3
Example 3: Spandrel Beam for Which Vuc Is
Adequate for Strength of A Deep Beam
The elevation view of a continuous spandrel beam is
shown in Fig. 4. The 10-in. wide beam is 60 in. deep in
order to close the opening between the top of the first floor
and the ground around the exterior of the building. The
beam must help support the first floor slab plus the weight
of the lowest level of a brick facade. Service loads are 2.3
klf Dead Load and 0.90 klf Live Load.
This beam has a span-to-depth ratio Ru /h = 18.67(12)/
60 = 3.7 < 4. It must be designed as a deep beam. A
strut-and-tie model is suggested in Fig. 4 by the dashed-
line diagonals from the top at midspan to each reaction
plus the tension tie at the bottom. Taking the depth from
the top to the tension tie as 5 ft less 3 in. = 4’-9”, the angle
( with the horizontal becomes:
( = arc tan (112/57) = 27°
Length of diagonal strut = 10 ft. /cos 27° = 11.2 ft.
Factored load wu = 1.4DL = 1.4(2.3) = 3.22 klf or wu
= 1.2DL + 1.6LL =1.2(2.3) + 1.6(0.90)= 4.20 klf. The
4.20 klf load governs.
Effective forces at truss nodes 10 ft apart = 4.2(10)
= 42 kips at the center with 21-kip forces delivered by the
beam to each support.
The force in each diagonal = 21/(sin 27°) = 46.3 kips
The force in the tension tie = 21/(tan 27°) = 41.2 kips
Required tension tie reinforcement area As = Fu /[Nv fy ]
= 41.2/[0.75(60)] = 0.92 in.2
Use 2-#7 bars for the tension tie (As = 1.20 in.2).
The tension development length for a #7 bar, at a
stress of 60,000(0.92)/1.20 = 46,000 psi to be developed
= Rd = db fs /(20 f c′ ) = (0.875)46,000/[20 4,000 ] = 31.8
in.
The distance 31.8 in. from the center of the column
would require a diagonal strut half-thickness = (31.8)(sin
27°) = 14.4 in. Since the strut is 11.2 ft long, there is
adequate space for a strut thickness hs = 2(14.4)/12 =
2.4 ft to be developed at the distance of 2.4 ft from the
center of its nodes. Thus, the compression stress in the
diagonal:
fc = Fu /(bhs ) = 46.3/[10(2.4)12] = 0.16 ksi. This trivial
amount is much less than the concrete capacity (Eq. 1 in
Report No. 56) at the CCT lower node = 0.8(0.85 f c′ ) =
0.80(85)4.0 = 2.72 ksi
Eq. 2 in Report No. 56 must be satisfied with reinforce-
ment required for shear in deep beams. Chart A contains
values Avi sin (i for angles ( from 25° to 65° with the
horizontal. Maximum spacing of bars = d/5 = 57 in./5 =
11.4 in. for both horizontal and vertical bars. In accordance
with Section 11.8.5, for all angles (, Chart A shows with
#3 bars in each face that the maximum product bsh = 88
in.2 and bsv = 147 in.2 Thus, #3 horizontal bars must be
spaced such that sv < 88 in.2 /10 in. = 8.8 in. apart, and
#3 vertical bars could be spaced such that sh < 147 in.2
/10 in. = 14.7 in. apart. However, since d/5 < 14.7 in., try
pairs of #4 vertical bars at 11 in. with pairs of #3 horizontal
bars at 8 in.
Chart A for ( = 25° with the horizontal and bsv = 10(8)
= 80 in.2,
Ash sin γ h (0.00186 − 0.00106)(80 − 50)
= 0.00186 −
bsv (88 − 50)
= 0.00113
With ( = 65° with the vertical and bsh = 10(11) = 110
in.2,
Asv sin γ v (0.00363 − 0.00242)(110 − 100)
= 0.00363 −
bsh (150 − 100)
= 0.00339
The sum = 0.00450 > 0.003, OK
[Note: Interpolation for values with ( = 27° would result
in a slightly higher sum. Since the sum was comfortably
greater than 0.003 with ( = 25°, interpolation for a more
precise sum is not considered necessary.]
An elastic analysis of the beam reveals maximum end
moments of 118 k-ft and maximum positive moment at
midspan = 84 k-ft. Maximum shear at each end is 42.0
kips. The effective depth d = 57 in. and the area As of
flexural reinforcement required for the 118 k-ft end moment
can be computed:
Mu 118(12)
As = = = 0.51 in.2
(0.9φ f f yd ) [ 0.9(0.90)60(57)]
For flexural reinforcement, minimum As required:
As ≥ 200bd f y = 200(10)57 60,000 = 190
. in.2
4
Minimum As will govern both for negative moment at
the ends and for positive moment at midspan, for which
2-#7 bars are selected at the top and at the bottom of the
beam.
Summary – Using The Strut-and-Tie Method
Applications of the strut-and-tie method have been
demonstrated in this report and Report No. 56 with three
examples of beam design. Each of the example problems
involved deep beams for which ACI 318-05 requires the
use of Appendix A (strut-and-tie method). The required
size of the diagonals for Example 1 was based on com-
pression strength. The required size of the diagonals for
Example 2 was based on tension bar development length.
Minimum reinforcement rules governed the design for
Example 3. Chart A is offered as an aid in determining
minimum reinforcement requirements.
Soft Metric Reinforcing Bars
It is important for readers of this document to be aware
of current industry practice regarding soft metric reinforcing
bars. The term “soft metric” is used in the context of bar
sizes and bar size designations. “Soft metric conversion”
means describing the nominal dimensions of inch-pound
reinforcing bars in terms of metric units, but not physically
changing the bar sizes. In 1997, producers of reinforcing
bars (the steel mills) began to phase in the production of
soft metric bars. Within a few years, the shift to exclusive
production of soft metric reinforcing bars was essentially
achieved. Virtually all reinforcing bars currently produced
in the USA are soft metric. The steel mills’ initiative of soft
metric conversion enables the industry to furnish the same
reinforcing bars to inch-pound construction projects as
well as to metric construction production of soft metric
bars. Within a few years, the shift to exclusive production
of soft metric reinforcing bars was essentially achieved.
Virtually all reinforcing bars currently produced in the USA
are soft metric. The steel mills’ initiative of soft metric
conversion enables the industry to furnish the same
reinforcing bars to inch-pound construction projects as
well as to metric construction projects, and eliminates the
need for the steel mills and fabricators to maintain a dual
inventory. Thus, USA-produced reinforcing bars furnished
to any construction project most likely will be soft metric.
Chart A – Minimum Reinforcement Required for Deep Beams
Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00186 0.00338 0.00524 0.00744 50 0.00399 0.00725 0.01124 0.01595
100 max. 88 0.00169 0.00262 0.00372 100 0.00199 0.00363 0.00562 0.00798
150 0.00113 0.00175 0.00248 150 max. 147 0.00242 0.00375 0.00532
200 max. 160 0.00131 0.00186 200 0.00181 0.00281 0.00399
250 max. 248 0.00149 250 0.00145 0.00225 0.00319
300 0.00124 300 max. 267 0.00187 0.00266
350 0.00106 350 0.00161 0.00228
400 0.00106 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00140 0.00199
450 max. 413 0.00177
500 0.00160
550 0.00145
Angle with horizontal, ( = 25°
600 0.00136 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00220 0.00400 0.00620 0.00880 50 0.00381 0.00693 0.01074 0.01524
100 max. 88 0.00200 0.00310 0.00440 100 0.00191 0.00346 0.00537 0.00762
150 0.00133 0.00207 0.00293 150 max. 147 0.00231 0.00358 0.00508
200 max. 160 0.00155 0.00220 200 0.00173 0.00268 0.00381
250 max. 248 0.00176 250 0.00139 0.00215 0.00305
300 0.00147 300 max. 267 0.00179 0.00254
350 0.00126 350 0.00153 0.00218
400 0.00125 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00134 0.00191
450 max. 413 0.00169
500 0.00152
550 0.00139
Angle with horizontal, ( = 30°
600 0.00130 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00252 0.00459 0.00711 0.01009 50 0.00360 0.00655 0.01016 0.01442
100 max. 88 0.00229 0.00356 0.00505 100 0.00180 0.00328 0.00508 0.00721
150 0.00153 0.00237 0.00336 150 max. 147 0.00218 0.00339 0.00481
200 max. 160 0.00178 0.00252 200 0.00164 0.00254 0.00360
250 max. 248 0.00202 250 0.00131 0.00203 0.00288
300 0.00168 300 max. 267 0.00169 0.00240
350 0.00144 350 0.00145 0.00206
400 0.00143 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00127 0.00180
450 max. 413 0.00160
500 0.00144
550 0.00131
Angle with horizontal, ( = 35°
600 0.00123 at max. bsv max. 587

5
Chart A – Minimum Reinforcement Required for Deep Beams (cont.)
Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00283 0.00514 0.00797 0.01131 50 0.00337 0.00613 0.00950 0.01348
100 max. 88 0.00257 0.00399 0.00566 100 0.00169 0.00306 0.00475 0.00674
150 0.00171 0.00266 0.00377 150 max. 147 0.00204 0.00317 0.00449
200 max. 160 0.00199 0.00283 200 0.00153 0.00237 0.00337
250 max. 248 0.00226 250 0.00123 0.00190 0.00270
300 0.00189 300 max. 267 0.00158 0.00225
350 0.00162 350 0.00136 0.00193
400 0.00161 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00119 0.00169
450 max. 413 0.00150
500 0.00135
550 0.00123
Angle with horizontal, ( = 40°
600 0.00115 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00311 0.00566 0.00877 0.01245 50 0.00311 0.00566 0.00877 0.01245
100 max. 88 0.00283 0.00438 0.00622 100 0.00156 0.00283 0.00438 0.00622
150 0.00189 0.00292 0.00415 150 max. 147 0.00189 0.00292 0.00415
200 max. 160 0.00219 0.00311 200 0.00141 0.00219 0.00311
250 max. 248 0.00249 250 0.00113 0.00175 0.00249
300 0.00207 300 max. 267 0.00146 0.00207
350 0.00178 350 0.00125 0.00178
400 0.00177 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00110 0.00156
450 max. 413 0.00138
500 0.00124
550 0.00113
Angle with horizontal, ( = 45°
600 0.00106 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00337 0.00613 0.00950 0.01348 50 0.00283 0.00514 0.00797 0.01131
100 max. 88 0.00306 0.00475 0.00674 100 0.00141 0.00257 0.00399 0.00566
150 0.00204 0.00317 0.00449 150 max. 147 0.00171 0.00266 0.00377
200 max. 160 0.00237 0.00337 200 0.00129 0.00199 0.00283
250 max. 248 0.00270 250 0.00103 0.00159 0.00226
300 0.00225 300 max. 267 0.00133 0.00189
350 0.00193 350 0.00114 0.00162
400 0.00192 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00100 0.00141
450 max. 413 0.00126
500 0.00113
550 0.00103
Angle with horizontal, ( = 50°
600 0.00096 at max. bsv max. 587

6
Chart A – Minimum Reinforcement Required for Deep Beams (cont.)
Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00360 0.00655 0.01016 0.01442 50 0.00252 0.00459 0.00711 0.01009
100 max. 88 0.00328 0.00508 0.00721 100 0.00126 0.00229 0.00356 0.00505
150 0.00218 0.00339 0.00481 150 max. 147 0.00153 0.00237 0.00336
200 max. 160 0.00254 0.00360 200 0.00115 0.00178 0.00252
250 max. 248 0.00288 250 0.00092 0.00142 0.00202
300 0.00240 300 max. 267 0.00119 0.00168
350 0.00206 350 0.00102 0.00144
400 0.00205 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00089 0.00126
450 max. 413 0.00112
500 0.00101
550 0.00092
Angle with horizontal, ( = 55°
600 0.00086 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00381 0.00693 0.01074 0.01524 50 0.00220 0.00400 0.00620 0.00880
100 max. 88 0.00346 0.00537 0.00762 100 0.00110 0.00200 0.00310 0.00440
150 0.00231 0.00358 0.00508 150 max. 147 0.00133 0.00207 0.00293
200 max. 160 0.00268 0.00381 200 0.00100 0.00155 0.00220
250 max. 248 0.00305 250 0.00080 0.00124 0.00176
300 0.00254 300 max. 267 0.00103 0.00147
350 0.00218 350 0.00089 0.00126
400 0.00217 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00078 0.00110
450 max. 413 0.00098
500 0.00088
550 0.00080
Angle with horizontal, ( = 60°
600 0.00075 at max. bsv max. 587

Vertical 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6 Horizontal 2-#3 2-#4 2-#5 2-#6
Av 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 Ah 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88
bsh (in.2) bsv (in.2)
50 0.00339 0.00725 0.01124 0.01595 50 0.00186 0.00338 0.00524 0.00744
100 max. 88 0.00363 0.00562 0.00798 100 0.00093 0.00169 0.00262 0.00372
150 0.00242 0.00375 0.00532 150 max. 147 0.00113 0.00175 0.00248
200 max. 160 0.00281 0.00399 200 0.00085 0.00131 0.00186
250 max. 248 0.00319 250 0.00068 0.00105 0.00149
300 0.00266 300 max. 267 0.00087 0.00124
350 0.00228 350 0.00075 0.00106
400 0.00227 at max. bsh max. 352 400 0.00066 0.00093
450 max. 413 0.00083
500 0.00074
550 0.00068
Angle with horizontal, ( = 65°
600 0.00063 at max. bsv max. 587

7
 Bar Marking. Soft metric reinforcing bars are required to
Chart A – Minimum Reinforcement Required for
be identified with the Producer’s mill designation, bar size,
Deep Beams (cont.)
type of steel, and minimum yield strength or grade. For
Reference ACI 318-05, Sections 11.8.4, 11.8.5, and A3.3.1 example, consider the marking requirements for a #25,
G[(Av sin ()/bsh + Ah cos ()/bsv ] $ 0.003 Grade 420 metric bar, which is the counterpart of an inch-
Max. Area bsh and bsv is shown with each bar size. pound #8, Grade 60 bar. Regarding the bar size and
Charts show values of (Av sin ()/bsh and (Ah cos ()/bsv grade, the ASTM specifications require the number “25”
Max. ratio (Av sin ()/bsh or (Ah cos ()/bsv is shown for each (. to be rolled onto the surface of the metric bar to indicate
its size. For identifying or designating the yield strength
Designations of Bar Sizes. The sizes of soft metric rein- or grade, the ASTM specifications provide an option. A
forcing bars are physically the same as the corresponding mill can choose to roll a “4” (the first digit in the grade
sizes of inch-pound bars. Soft metric bar sizes, which are number) onto the bar, or roll an additional longitudinal rib
designated #10, #13, #16, and so on, correspond to inch- or grade line to indicate Grade 420.
pound bar sizes #3, #4, #5, and so on. The metric bar
Chapter 1 in the CRSI Manual of Standard Practice
designations are simply a re-labeling of the inch-pound
includes a detailed presentation of the inch-pound and
bar designations. The following table shows the one-to-
metric requirements in the ASTM specifications for reinforc-
one correspondence of the soft metric bar sizes to the
ing bars. Appendix A in the Manual shows the bar marks
inch-pound bar sizes.
used by USA producers to identify Grade 420 soft metric
Soft Metric Bar Sizes vs. Inch-Pound Bar Sizes bars.
Soft Metric Bar Inch-Pound Bar More information about soft metric reinforcing bars is
Size Designation Size Designation also provided in Engineering Data Report No. 42, “Using
Soft Metric Reinforcing Bars in Non-Metric Construction
#10 #3 Projects”.
#13 #4
#16 #5
CRSI Website
#19 #6
#22 #7 Readers of this report are also encouraged to visit the
#25 #8 CRSI Website for:

#29 #9 • Descriptions of CRSI publications and software, and

#32 #10 ordering information
#36 #11 • Institute documents available for downloading
#43 #14 • Technical information on epoxy-coated reinforcing
#57 #18 bars

Minimum Yield Strengths or Grades. Virtually all steel mills • Technical information on continuously reinforced
in the USA are currently producing reinforcing bars to meet concrete pavement
the metric requirements for tensile properties in the ASTM • Membership in CRSI and member web links
specifications. Minimum yield strengths in metric units are
280, 350, 420 and 520 MPa (megapascals), which are • General information on the CRSI Foundation
equivalent to 40,000, 50,000, 60,000 and 75,000 psi, • Information on the CRSI Design Awards competition
respectively. Metric Grade 420 is the counter-part of
standard Grade 60.

Contributed by: Richard W. Furlong, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin.

CONCRETE REINFORCING STEEL INSTITUTE

933 N. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4758
Phone: 847/517-1200, Fax: 847/517-1206
www.crsi.org
This publication is intended for the use of professionals competent to evaluate the significance and
limitations of its contents and who will accept responsibility for the application of the material it contains.
The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute reports the foregoing material as a matter of information and,
therefore, disclaims any and all responsibility for application of the stated principles or for the accuracy
of the sources other than material developed by the Institute.

RWF 0906 12M Printed in U.S.A.

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