STEEL

COMMONLY USED STEELS IN CONSTRUCTION:

• REINFORCING STEEL BARS (REBARS)

• STRUCTURAL STEEL
REINFORCING STEEL BARS
REBAR MARKINGS AND PROPERTIES
REBAR MARKINGS AND PROPERTIES
ASTM vs PNS Codes Popular Nomenclature Typical Application

Grade 33 / PNS 230 Structural Grade Low-rise Buildings and Low Loading
Conditions

Grade 40 / PNS 275 Intermediate Grade Medium-rise Structures /

Infrastructure Work

Grade 60 / PNS 415 High-Tensile Grade Medium-rise Structures /

Infrastructure Work
COLOR CODES
Steels should be stored in such a way, so as to avoid distortion and to
prevent deterioration and corrosion. Steels of different classes should be
stored separately.
STORING OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT

 Store bars of different classes, sizes and lengths

separately to facilitate issues in such sizes and
lengths so as to minimize wastage in cutting
from standard lengths.
 Paint the ends of bars of each class in distinct
separate colors.
 Coat steel reinforcement with cement wash
before stacking to prevent scaling and rusting.
 If reinforcement bars have to be stored for a
long period, then stack it above ground level by
at least 150 mm.
SCHEDULE OF MINIMUM TEST REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING ITEMS OF
WORK OF THE DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGHWAYS,
BRIDGES AND AIRPORTS

Item 404 - Reinforcing Steel

Rebar Sampling:
 All reinforcing bar samples shall be selected by a qualified
representative of a DPWH accepted testing laboratory. Each sample
shall consist of two like bars, one for tension testing and one for bend
testing.

 Specimen length shall be 0.60 meter for both test bars (32mm diam.
and smaller). Bend specimens for 40mm diam and 50mm diam should
be 1-meter. Bars pre-cut by the fabricator are not acceptable.

 Each pair of sampled bars shall be wire tied together at the time of
sampling.

 Bend tests shall not be performed by the fabricator or on the project

site. All tests shall be conducted in a DPWH approved laboratory
Frequency of Sampling:

Reinforcing bars shall be sampled at the frequencies listed below unless

specified differently by the DPWH approved documents.

 For reinforcing bars found to be identifiable, sample two (2) bars

from every ten tons (20,000 lbs.), or fraction thereof, for each size of
rebar.
 For unidentifiable reinforcing bars or job site sampling, sample two
(2) bars from every two and one-half tons (5,000 lbs.), or fraction
thereof, for each size of rebar.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

a. Tensile Test
-the tension test (ASTM E8) on steel is
performed to determine the yield strength, yield
point, ultimate (tensile) strength, elongation, and
reduction of area.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

b. Torsion Test
- the torsion test (ASTM E143) is used to
determine the shear modulus of structural materials.
The shear modulus is used in the design of members
subjected to torsion, such as rotating shafts and
helical compression springs. In this test a cylindrical,
or tubular, specimen is loaded either incrementally or
continually by applying an external torque to cause a
uniform twist within the gauge length. The amount of
applied torque and the corresponding angle of twist
are measured throughout the test.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

c. Charpy V-notch Impact Test

- the Charpy V Notch impact test (ASTM E23) is used to
measure the toughness of the material or the energy
required to fracture a V-notched simply supported
specimen. The test is used for structural steels in
tension members.
The standard specimen is 55 x 10 x 10 mm (2.165 x
0.394 x 0.394 in.) with a V notch at the center, as shown
in Figure 3.22. Before testing, the specimen is brought
to the specified temperature for a minimum of 5 min in
a liquid bath or 30 min in a gas medium.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

d. Bend Test
- the test evaluates the ability of steel, or a weld,
to resist cracking during bending. The test is
conducted by bending the specimen through a
specified angle and to a specified inside radius of
curvature.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

e. Hardness Test
- Hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance
to localized plastic deformation, such as a small dent
or scratch on the surface of the material.
Hardness tests are simple, inexpensive,
nondestructive, and do not require special specimens.
In addition, other mechanical properties, such as the
tensile strength, can be estimated from the hardness
numbers. Therefore, hardness tests are very common
and are typically performed more frequently than
other mechanical tests.
• Mechanical Testing Perform on Steel and Aluminum:

f. Ultrasonic Test
- Ultrasonic testing is a nondestructive method for
detecting flaws in materials. It is particularly useful for
the evaluation of welds. During the test, a sound wave
is directed toward the weld joint and reflected back
from a discontinuity. A sensor captures the energy of
the reflected wave and the results are displayed on an
oscilloscope. This method is highly sensitive in
detecting planar defects, such as incomplete weld
fusion, delamination, or cracks.
STRUCTURAL STEEL
Steels should be stored in such a way, so as to avoid distortion and to
prevent deterioration and corrosion. Steels of different classes should be
stored separately.
STORING OF STRUCTURAL STEEL

 Assign separate areas for storing

structural steel of different classes, sizes
and lengths.
 Store it above ground level by at least
150 mm upon platforms, skids or any
other suitable supports to avoid
distortion of sections.
 In coastal areas or in case of long
storage, apply protective coating of
primer to prevent scaling and rusting.
SCHEDULE OF MINIMUM TEST REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING ITEMS OF
WORK OF THE DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGHWAYS,
BRIDGES AND AIRPORTS

Item 403 - Metal Structures

A. Certification – Certified Mill Analyses are required
in for every size, heat and grade on each shipment.
Collect them and retain them according to the DPWH
Records Retention procedure.
• Tags and Mill Certifications - along with the markings
on the rebars, each shipment should include tags and
mill certifications.
• Tags - Tags should be attached by wire to each bundle
of rebar. They should be made of durable, waterproof
material, and marked in a legible manner.
• Mill Certification - Producer’s Mill Certifications
should be included to each rebar shipment, one for
every size and heat on the shipment. For example if
the shipment includes number 4 bars from two heats
and number 5 bars from three heats, you will need to
collect five mill certifications. The Manufacturer name
on the Mill Certification should match 1st Mark on
reinforcement bar.
B. Sampling and Testing – Take rebar samples as follows:
• At the time a rebar shipment arrives on the project site, take
one sample for every 80 tons, no matter what pay item or pay
items are being used. Do NOT send a sample for each size or for
each pay item, just one sample representing 80 tons of rebar.

One sample consists of:

a. Three pieces of rebar:
(1) Sample the most frequently used size
(2) A minimum of seven feet long
(3) Take the pieces from the rebar bundle and not the
splice bar
b. A tag
c. A mill certification - it must match the bar size and
manufacturer of the sample rebar. You will receive multiple
certified mill analyses for each shipment. Select the one that
matches the rebar selected for the sample.
EXAMPLE:

A high-yield-strength alloy steel bar with a rectangular cross section that has a width of
37.5 mm, a thickness of 6.25 mm, and a gauge length of 203 mm was tested in tension to
rupture, according to ASTM E-8 method. The load and deformation data were as shown
in Table.
EXAMPLE:

A high-yield-strength alloy steel bar with a rectangular cross section that has a width of
37.5 mm, a thickness of 6.25 mm, and a gauge length of 203 mm was tested in tension to
rupture, according to ASTM E-8 method. The load and deformation data were as shown
in Table.
a. A plot of the stress–strain relationship. Label the axes and show units.
b. A plot of the linear portion of the stress–strain relationship. Determine modulus of
elasticity using the best-fit approach.
c. Proportional limit.
d. Yield stress.
e. Ultimate strength.
f. If the specimen is loaded to 155 kN only and then unloaded, what is the permanent
deformation?
g. In designing a typical structure made of this material, would you expect the stress
applied in (f) safe? Why?
A 32-mm rebar with a gauge length of 200 mm was subjected to tension to
fracture according to ASTM E-8 method. The load and deformation data were
as shown in the table below.
Using a spreadsheet program obtain the following:
a. A plot of the stress–strain relationship. Label the axes and show units.
b. A plot of the linear portion of the stress–strain relationship. Determine
modulus of elasticity using the best-fit approach.
c. Proportional limit.
d. Yield stress.
e. Ultimate strength.
f. If the rebar is loaded to 390 kN only and then unloaded, what is the
permanent
change in length?
Plate 2: Tension Test of Steel and
Aluminum
Purpose
• To determine stress–strain relationship
• To determine yield strength
• To determine tensile strength
• To determine elongation and reduction of cross-sectional area
• To determine modulus of elasticity
• To determine rupture strength
Calculate the tensile strength
Calculate the elongation
Calculate the modulus of elasticity
Calculate the rupture from failure
Calculate the reduction in cross sectional area
DATA AND RESULTS:
SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3
DIAMETER (mm) 14 16 36
YIELD LOAD (kN) 68.95 91.51 506.9
YIELD STRESS (N/mm2)
MAXIMUM LOAD (kN) 91.7 117.63 758.6

MAXIMUM STRESS (N/mm2)

INITIAL LENGTH (Lo, mm) 87 100 1000

FINAL LENGTH (mm) 114.16 134.04 1091.69
ELONGATION (%)

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY (N/mm2)

Rm / Re Ratio

RUPTURE LOAD (kN) 76.345 100.661 739.2

RUPTURE FROM FAILURE (N/mm2)
REDUCTION IN CROSS SECTION