The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Steel Rebar Grades and Sizes

Steel Rebar

One of the most important building materials that you can see used in so many structures is rebar, or reinforcement bar. It is made of carbon steel, which is an alloy or iron-carbon. It is most commonly called the black bar because it has carbon in it, which gives it the black color. When the carbon steel is heated to 900 degrees Celsius, its properties change drastically, making it stronger and giving it versatile usage.

What Are The Types Of Grades And Sizes Available In Steel Rebars?

Rebars are available in so many different grades, such as 40, 60, and 75. These grades are for rebars that are regular; however, those with higher strength come in grades 80, 100, 120, and 150. Though you could get rebars that are in grades less than 40 or in grades 50 and 55, these grades are no longer in use. It is vital to know the grade of a rebar, as this determines what kind of strength you can expect from it. Rebars with a higher grade are used in structures that need greater yield and tensile strength.

Though it is possible to just go with Grade 40 rebars, it does not cost that much more to opt for a Grade 60 rebar as it has a higher strength. So what is commonly used in concrete construction is rebar with a grade of 60. Grade 40 rebar is more suitable for light residential projects than for reinforced brick and masonry work. You can find out the grade of a rebar by checking its side, where you can see some combination of alphabet and numbers. For example, if you see a marking like K3 S 60, what it indicates is the mill where it was produced, its size, steel type, and finally the grade.

When it comes to sizes, there are so many present for steel rebar products, and you can choose them based on size, depending on what you want to use them for. A rebar with a 3/8” diameter is quite narrow and suitable for projects such as patios, sidewalks, pools, driveways, etc. It is mainly seen in projects of a decorative nature, though it can be used in a building’s structure as well.

On the other hand, a rebar that has a 1/2” diameter is capable of supporting heavier loads, so it is typically used when laying foundations, highways, columns, commercial buildings, beams, arches, floors, and also concrete walls. This type of rebar has more tensile and yield strength, so it is able to strengthen the concrete in which it is used even further. A rebar with a 5/8” diameter can make the structure very strong so that it can manage heavy loads. This is seeded in structures such as loading zones, bridges, highways, industrial buildings, etc.