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Designation: A 996/A 996M – 03a

Standard Specification for Rail-Steel and Axle-Steel

Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 996/A 996M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing

1.1 This specification covers rail-steel and axle-steel bars of Steel Products2
for concrete reinforcement. Three types of product are in- A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
cluded, designated with a “rail symbol,” and an “R” for bars Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment3
made of rail-steel and with an “A” for bars made of axle-steel. E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
The standard sizes and dimensions of deformed bars and their Determine Conformance with Specifications4
number designations are given in Table 1. All sizes and grades 2.2 Military Standards:
of all types may not be readily available; manufacturers should MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage5
be consulted to verify availability. MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products Preparation for Ship-
1.2 The text of this specification references notes and ment and Storage5
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and 2.3 Federal Standard:
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)5
considered as requirements of the specification. 3. Terminology
1.3 Type “rail symbol” and Type R are of two minimum
yield levels, namely 50 000 psi [350 MPa] and 60 000 psi [420 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
MPa] designated as Grade 50 [350] and Grade 60 [420], 3.1.1 deformed bar, n—steel bar with protrusions; a bar that
respectively. Type A is of two minimum yield levels, namely is intended for use as reinforcement in reinforced concrete
40 000 psi [280 MPa] and 60 000 psi [420 MPa] designated as construction.
Grade 40 [280] and Grade 60 [420], respectively. 3.1.1.1 Discussion—The surface of the bar is provided with
1.4 The weldability of the steel is not a requirement of this lugs or protrusions that inhibit longitudinal movement of the
specification. bar relative to the concrete surrounding the bar in such
1.5 This specification is applicable for orders in either construction. The lugs or protrusions conform to the provisions
inch-pound units (Specification A 996) or SI units (Specifica- of this specification.
tion A 996M). 3.1.2 deformations, n—protrusions on a deformed bar.
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units 3.1.3 rib, n—longitudinal protrusion on a deformed bar.
are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are 4. Ordering Information
shown in brackets. The values stated must be used indepen-
dently of the other. Combining values from the two systems 4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify
may result in nonconformance with the specification. all requirements that are necessary for material ordered to this
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the specification. Such requirements shall include, but are not
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the limited to, the following.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1.1 Quantity (weight) [mass],
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1.2 Name of material (rail-steel or axle-steel deformed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. bars for concrete reinforcement),
4.1.3 Type,
2. Referenced Documents 4.1.4 Size,
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1.5 Grade,

1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
3
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
4
A01.05 on Steel Reinforcement. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
5
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D,
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as A 996/A 996M-03. 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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A 996/A 996M – 03a

TABLE 1 Deformed Bar Designation Numbers, Nominal Weights [Masses], Nominal Dimensions, and Deformation Requirements
Nominal DimensionsB Deformation Requirements, in. [mm]
Nominal Weight,
Bar Designation Maximum Gap
lb/ft [Nominal Mass, Cross-Sectional Maximum Average Minimum Average
No.A Diameter, in. [mm] Perimeter, in. [mm] (Chord of 12.5 % of
kg/m] Area in.2 [mm2] Spacing Height
Nominal Perimeter)
3 [10] 0.376 [0.560] 0.375 [ 9.5] 0.11 [ 71] 1.178 [29.9] 0.262 [ 6.7] 0.015 [0.38] 0.143 [3.6]
4 [13] 0.668 [0.994] 0.500 [12.7] 0.20 [129] 1.571 [39.9] 0.350 [ 8.9] 0.020 [0.51] 0.191 [4.9]
5 [16] 1.043 [1.552] 0.625 [15.9] 0.31 [199] 1.963 [49.9] 0.437 [11.1] 0.028 [0.71] 0.239 [6.1]
6 [19] 1.502 [2.235] 0.750 [19.1] 0.44 [284] 2.356 [59.8] 0.525 [13.3] 0.038 [0.97] 0.286 [7.3]
7 [22] 2.044 [3.042] 0.875 [22.2] 0.60 [387] 2.749 [69.8] 0.612 [15.5] 0.044 [1.12] 0.334 [8.5]
8 [25] 2.670 [3.973] 1.000 [25.4] 0.79 [510] 3.142 [79.8] 0.700 [17.8] 0.050 [1.27] 0.383 [9.7]
A
Bar numbers are based on the number of eighths of an inch included in the nominal diameter of the bars [bar numbers approximate the number of millimeters of the
nominal diameter of the bar].
B
The nominal dimensions of a deformed bar are equivalent to those of a plain round bar having the same weight [mass] per foot [meter] as the deformed bar.

4.1.6 Packaging (see Section 20), nominal permeter of the bar. The nominal perimeter of the bar
4.1.7 ASTM designation and year of issue, and shall be 3.1416 times the nominal diameter.
4.1.8 Certified mill test reports (if desired). 7.5 The spacing, height, and gap of deformations shall
conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1.
5. Materials and Manufacture
8. Measurements of Deformation
5.1 The bars shall be rolled from standard section Tee rails
8.1 The average spacing of deformations shall be deter-
or from carbon steel axles for railway cars and locomotives. No
mined by measuring the length of a minimum of 10 spaces and
other materials, such as those known by the terms “rerolled,
dividing that length by the number of spaces included in the
rail-steel equivalent, and rail-steel quality” shall be substituted.
measurement. The measurement shall begin from a point on a
deformation at the beginning of the first space to a correspond-
6. Carbon Determination
ing point on a deformation after the last included space.
6.1 For axle-steel product, the manufacturer shall make a Spacing measurments shall not be made over a bar area
determination for the carbon content of each axle received for containing bar marking symbols involving letters or numbers.
manufacture into reinforcing bars. Based on these carbon 8.2 The average height of deformations shall be determined
determinations, all steel axles shall be stocked for subsequent from measurements made on not less than two typical defor-
rolling in separated lots by carbon range. The ranges of carbon mations. Determinations shall be based on three measurements
shall be determined by the manufacturer as those best suited to per deformation, one at the center on the overall length and the
meet the mechanical requirements. other two at the quarter points of the overall length.
6.2 When requested by the purchaser, the manufacturer 8.3 Insufficient height, insufficient circumferential cover-
shall report the carbon range for each lot of bars furnished. age, or excessive spacing of deformations shall not constitute
cause for rejection unless it has been clearly established by
7. Requirements for Deformations determinations on each lot (Note 1) tested that typical defor-
7.1 Deformations shall be spaced along the bar at substan- mation height, gap, or spacing does not conform to the
tially uniform distances. The deformations on opposite sides of minimum requirements prescribed in Section 7. No rejection
the bar shall be similar in size, shape, and pattern. shall be made on the basis of measurements if fewer than ten
7.2 The deformations shall be placed with respect to the axis adjacent deformations on each side of the bar are measured.
of the bar so that the included angle is not less than 45°. Where
NOTE 1—As used within the intent of 8.3 and 14.1, the term “lot” shall
the line of deformations forms an included angle with the axis mean all the bars of one bar number and pattern of deformations contained
of the bar from 45° to 70° inclusive, the deformations shall in an individual shipping release or shipping order.
reverse alternately in direction from those on the opposite side.
Where the line of deformations is over 70°, reversal in 9. Tensile Requirements
direction shall not be required. 9.1 The material, as represented by the test specimens, shall
7.3 The average spacing or distance between deformations conform to the requirements for tensile properties prescribed in
on each side of the bar shall not exceed seven tenths of the Table 2.
nominal diameter of the bar. 9.2 The yield point or yield strength shall be determined by
7.4 The overall length of the deformations shall be such that one of the following methods.
the gap (measured as a chord) between the ends of the 9.2.1 The yield point shall be determined by the drop of the
deformations on opposite sides of the bar shall not exceed beam or halt in the gage of the testing machine.
12.5 % of the nominal perimeter of the bar. Where the ends 9.2.2 Where the steel tested does not have a well-defined
terminate in a longitudinal rib, the width of the longitudinal rib yield point, the yield strength shall be determined at extension
shall be considered the gap. Where more than two longitudinal under load using an autographic diagram method or an
ribs are involved, the total width of all longitudinal ribs shall extensometer as described in 14.1.2 and 14.1.3 of Test Methods
not exceed 25 % of the nominal perimeter of the bar. Further- and Definitions A 370. The strain shall be 0.5 % within the
more, the summation of gaps shall not exceed 25% of the gage length.

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A 996/A 996M – 03a

TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements 12.2 Rust, seams, surface irregularities, or mill scale shall
not be cause for rejection, provided the weight, dimensions,
Grade 40 [280] Grade 50 [350] Grade 60 [420] cross-sectional area, and tensile properties of a hand wire
Tensile strength, 70 000 [500] 80 000 [550] 90 000 [620] brushed test are not less than requirements of this specification.
min, psi [MPa] 12.3 Surface imperfections or flaws other than those speci-
Yield strength, 40 000 [280] 50 000 [350] 60 000 [420]
min, psi [MPa] fied in 12.2 shall be considered detrimental when specimens
Elongation in 8 in. Type containing such imperfections fail to conform to either tensile
[200 mm], min, % Rail Symbol or bending requirements. Examples include, but are not limited
and R A
to, laps, seams, slivers, cooling or casting cracks, and mill or
Bar Designation no. 3 [10] 11 6 6 8 guide marks.
4, 5, 6 [13, 16, 19] 12 7 6 8
7 [22] 11 6 5 8
8 [25] 10 5 4.5 7 13. Test Specimens
13.1 All mechanical tests shall be conducted in accordance
with Test Methods and Definitions A 370, including Annex A9.
9.3 The percentage of elongation shall be as prescribed in 13.2 Tension test specimens shall be the full section of bar
Table 2. as rolled.
13.3 The unit stress determinations on full-size specimens
10. Bending Requirements
shall be based on the nominal bar area.
10.1 The bend test specimen shall withstand being bent 13.4 The bend test specimens shall be the full section of the
around a pin without cracking on the outside radius of the bent bar as rolled.
portion. The requirements for degree of bending and sizes of
pins are prescribed in Table 3.
14. Number of Tests
10.2 The bend test shall be made on specimens of sufficient
length to ensure free bending and with an apparatus which 14.1 For all bar sizes, one tension test, one bend test, and
provides the following. one set of dimensional property tests including bar weight
10.2.1 Continuous and uniform application of force [mass] and spacing, height, and gap of deformations shall be
throughout the duration of the bending operation. made from each lot (Note 1) of 10 tons [9 mg], or fraction
10.2.2 Unrestricted movement of the specimen at points of thereof.
contact with the apparatus and bending around a pin free to
rotate. 15. Retests
10.2.3 Close wrapping of the specimen around a pin during 15.1 If any tensile property of the test specimen is less than
the bending operation. that specified in Section 9, and any part of the fracture is
10.3 It shall be permissible to use other acceptable, more outside the middle third of the gage length, as indicated by
severe methods of bend testing, such as placing a specimen scribe scratches marked on the specimen before testing, a retest
across two pins free to rotate and applying the bending force shall be allowed.
with a fixed pin. When failures occur under more severe
15.2 If the results of an original tension specimen fail to
methods, retest shall be permitted under the bend test method
meet the specified minimum requirements and are within 2000
prescribed in 10.2.
psi [14 MPa] of the required tensile strength, within 1000 psi
11. Permissible Variation in Weight [Mass] [7 MPa] of the required yield point, or within two percentage
11.1 Deformed reinforcing bars shall be evaluated on the points of the required elongation, a retest shall be permitted on
basis of nominal weight [mass]. The weight [mass] determined two random specimens for each original tension specimen
using the measured weight [mass] of the test specimen and failure from the lot. Both retest specimens shall meet the
rounding in accordance with Practice E 29, shall be at least requirements of this specification.
94% of the applicable weight [mass] per unit length prescribed 15.3 If a bend test fails for reasons other than mechanical
in Table 1. In no case shall overweight [excess mass] of any reasons or flaws in the specimen as described in 15.5 and 15.6,
deformed bar be cause for rejection. a retest shall be permitted on two random specimens from the
same lot. Both retest specimens shall meet the requirements of
12. Finish this specification. The retest shall be performed on test speci-
12.1 The bars shall be free of detrimental surface imperfec- mens that are at air temperature but not less than 60°F [16°C].
tions. 15.4 If a weight [mass] test fails for reasons other than flaws
in the specimen as described in 15.6, a retest shall be permitted
TABLE 3 Bend Test Requirements
on two random specimens from the same lot. Both retest
Pin Diameter for Bend TestA specimens shall meet the requirements of this specification.
Bar Designation Nos. Type Rail Symbol Type R Type A
3, 4, 5 [10, 13, 16] 6dB 31⁄2 d 31⁄2 d
15.5 If any test specimen fails because of mechanical
6, 7, 8 [19, 22, 25] 6d 5d 5d reasons such as failure of testing equipment or improper
A
Test bends 180°. specimen preparation, it shall be permissible to discard the
B
d = nominal diameter of specimen. sample and another specimen taken.

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A 996/A 996M – 03a

15.6 If flaws are detected in a test specimen, either before or 19. Marking
during the performance of the test, it may be discarded and 19.1 When loaded for mill shipment, bars shall be separated
another specimen of the same size bar from the same heat and tagged properly with the manufacturer’s test identification
substituted. number.
19.2 Each manufacturer shall identify the symbols of his
16. Inspection
marking system.
16.1 The inspector representing the purchaser shall have 19.3 All bars produced to this specification shall be identi-
free entry, at all times, while work on the contract of the fied by a distinguishing set of marks legibly rolled onto the
purchaser is being performed, to all parts of the manufacturer’s surface of one side of the bar to denote in the following order.
works that concern the manufacture of the material ordered. 19.3.1 Point of Origin— Letter or symbol established as a
The manufacturer shall afford the inspector all reasonable manufacturer’s mill designation.
facilities to satisfy him that the material is being furnished in 19.3.2 Size Designation— Arabic number corresponding to
accordance with this specification. All tests and inspection Bar Designation Number in Table 1.
shall be made at the place of manufacture prior to shipment, 19.3.3 Type of Steel— Rail symbol, letter R or letter A
unless otherwise specified, and shall be so conducted as not to indicating that the bar was produced from rail or axle steel.
interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the works. 19.3.4 Minimum Yield Designation—For Grade 60 [420]
16.2 For Government Procurement Only—Except as other- bars, either the number 60 [4] or a single continuous line
wise specified in the contract, the contractor shall be respon- through at least five spaces offset from the center of the bar (No
sible for the performance of all inspection and test require- marking designation for Grade 50 [350] or Grade 40 [280]
ments specified herein and shall be permitted to use one’s own bars).
or any other suitable facilities for the performance of the 19.3.5 It shall be permissible to substitute bars having sizes
inspection and test requirements specified herein, unless dis- and grades in SI units for bars ordered to the corresponding
approved by the purchaser at the time of purchase. The sizes and grades in inch-pound units.
purchaser shall have the right to perform any of the inspections
and tests at the same frequency as set forth in this specification 20. Packaging
where such inspections are deemed necessary to assure that
material conforms to prescribed requirements. 20.1 When specified in the purchase order, packaging shall
be in accordance with the procedures in Practices A 700.
17. Rejection 20.2 For Government Procurement Only—When specified
17.1 Material that shows injurious defects subsequent to its in the contract or order, and for direct procurement by or direct
acceptance at the manufacturer’s works will be rejected, and shipment to the U.S. Government, material shall be preserved,
the manufacturer shall be notified. packaged, and packed in accordance with the requirements of
MIL-STD-163. The applicable levels shall be as specified in
18. Test Reports the contract. Marking for shipment of such material shall be in
18.1 When specified in the purchase order, the following accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agencies and
information shall be reported on a per lot basis. It shall be MIL-STD-129 for military agencies.
permissible to report additional items as requested or desired.
18.1.1 Carbon level—Type A only. 21. Keywords
18.1.2 Tensile properties. 21.1 concrete reinforcement; deformations (protrusions);
18.1.3 Bend test. steel bars

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of the following changes to this standard since A 996/A 996M-03
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Deleted Note 1. (2) Revised section 7.4

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A 996/A 996M – 03a

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