MODULE 3 : WEEK 14 [DATE]

PRELIM

Laboratory Exercise No. 12

Testing of Reinforcing Steel Bars

Introduction

Steel is one of the most widely used engineering materials. One very important engineering use of steel is in
the form of bars for concrete reinforcements. The two main classes of steel bars are plain and deformed and
these are further classified into three grades: structural, intermediate and hard. The standard sizes of
deformed bars are listed in Table 3-1. The standard sizes of plain bar are designated by their nominal
diameters.

The important tests are done on billet-steel bars: chemical, cold-bend and tension tests. The chemical
test is for determining the phosphorous content and the cold-bend and tensile test for checking the
mechanical characteristics.

In this laboratory exercise, only the tensile test will be done. This tensile test furnishes the yield and
tensile strengths of the steel bars, and is used to classify the bars into grades. Percentage elongation is
calculated and compared with the requirement for each grade (refer to Table 3-2)

Objective

1. To determine the suitability of reinforcing steel bars for concrete reinforcement by performance of
the physical test.
2. To determine the grade of the steel bars.

Apparatus

□ Universal Testing Machine (UTM)

□ Tensile grip
□ Balance
□ Vernier Caliper
You can watch the video clip regarding the laboratory exercise
by clicking the link below.

Testing of Reinforcing Steel Bars

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MODULE 3 : WEEK 14 [DATE]
PRELIM

It is time for group activity.

Procedure

Two approximately 30 cm long samples are needed for the test.

Test for Tensile Properties

1. Measure accurately the length of the tension sample and determine its weight. Determine the actual
cross-section of deformed bars by dividing the weight per linear inch by 0.2833 (weight in lbs per cu.
of steel).
2. Mark in the center of the test specimen an 8" gage length. If possible, machine the specimen to a
reduced section in the middle about 11". Set suitable grips in the testing machine to hold the
specimen and apply the load to failure at a uniform rate. If available, attach to the specimen an
extensometer for reading deformation.
3. Record the sudden halt red-hand pointer and compute the corresponding stress which will be yield
point. Calculate the tensile strength by dividing the maximum load carried by the specimen.
4. After fracture, put together the ends of the specimen and measure accurately the distance between
gage marks.
5. Express the increase in length of the gage length as percentage of the original gage length of 30 cm.
The value obtained shall be the percentage elongation.

Table 3-1 Deformed Bars Designation

NOMINAL DIMENSIONS
UNIT WEIGHT
DIAMETER CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA
BAR NO.
INCHES MM SQ. IN. SQ. MM. LB. PER FT. KG. PER METER
2* 1/4 = 0.250 6 0.05 28.27 0.167 0.222
3 3/8 = 0.375 10 0.11 78.54 0.376 0.616
4 1/2 = 0.500 12 0.20 113.10 0.668 0.887
5 5/8 = 0.625 16 0.31 201.10 1.043 1.577
6 3/4 = 0.750 20 0.44 314.20 1.502 2.463
7 7/8 = 0.8751 22 0.60 280.13 2.044 2.980
8 1.000 25 0.79 490.87 2.670 3.848
9** 1 1/8 = 1.128 28 1.00 615.75 3.400 4.827
10** 1 1/4 = 1.270 32 1.27 804.25 4.303 6.305
11** 1 3/8 = 1.410 36 1.56 1,017.90 5.313 7.980

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MODULE 3 : WEEK 14 [DATE]
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* 1/4 in. bar in plain round only

** Bar Nos. 9, 10, and 11 correspond to the former 1 in. sq., 1 1/8 in sq., and 1 1/4 in. sq. sizes and are
equivalent to those former standard bar sizes in weight and nominal cross-sectional areas.

Title: Testing of Reinforcing Steel Bars Name:

Laboratory Exercise No.: _3_ Class Code:
Date Performed: Group No.:
Date Submitted: Rating:

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MODULE 3 : WEEK 14 [DATE]
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Data Sheet:
Bar Sample No.
1 2
1 Type deformed deformed
2 Nominal Diameter, mm 12 20
3 Average Diameter, mm 12 20
4 Length, cm
5 Weight, gm
6 Tensile Load, kN
a. At Yield Point
b. At Break Point
7 Elongation, cm
a. Final Length
b. Gage Length
c. Change in Length
8 Area, mm2
a. Plain: (π/4)x(3)2
b. Deformed: (5)/[(4)x0.0785)]
9 Yield Point, MPa: 6a/8a or 8b

Module Activities:
1. Online Quiz
2. Individual Reflection

ENGR. FAUSTINO S. CASTAÑEDA 4