DTI-BPS approves standard on steel bars

 PRINT
Published: 03 March 2020

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards

(DTI-BPS) approves Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2020 Steel
bars for concrete reinforcement – Specification.

Steel bars are structural steel used as concrete reinforcement in

residential, commercial and industrial buildings, and structures. The
PNS 49:2020 specifies the requirements for hot-rolled deformed steel
bars in cut lengths and coils for concrete reinforcement. These bars
are rolled from billets of properly identified heats of mold-cast or
strand-cast steel.

The PNS 49:2020 cancels and replaces PNS 49:2019. PNS 49:2019 was
revised to consider existing laws on the code of practice of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines and the geographical and environmental
conditions of the country. A numerical marking scheme to represent
each steel grade is specified in the new PNS 49:2020. Minimum
elongation and bend test requirements were also revised to be
updated with international practice. Markings are required to
distinguish Quench tempered bars from Micro alloy bars.

This standard was developed by the Technical Committee on Long

Steel Products (BPS/TC 11). BPS/TC 11 is composed of representatives
from the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute; Department of Science and
Technology – Metals Industry Research Development Center;
University of the Philippines’ Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and
Materials Engineering, and Building Research Service; Philippine
Constructors Association; Construction Industry Authority of the
Philippines; Department of Public Works and Highways; Association of
Structural Engineers of the Philippines; Philippine GeoAnalytics Inc.;
Philippine Steel Rolling Mills Association; Association of Philippine
Steel Mills, Inc.; G.I. Wire Manufacturers Association; Philippine Nail
Manufacturers Association; and Philippine Steelmakers Association.

This standard contributes to the United Nations Sustainable

Development Goal (UNSDG) 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, and
UNSDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
The DTI-BPS is the National Standards Body of the Philippines. It is the
country’s member to the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

A copy of PNS 49:2020 may be secured for a minimal fee at the DTI-
BPS Standards Data Center, 3F Trade and Industry Building, 361 Sen.
Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City at Tel. No. 791.3127 or through e-
mail: bps@dti.gov.ph or standardsdatacenterbps@dti.gov.ph.

Product Guide
THE PAG-ASA REBAR [Top]

Pag-asa Steel rebar products are identifiable through the Company Logo ("PSW",
short for Pag-asa Steel Works), which is hot-rolled and embossed onto each bar at
specified intervals. The Rebar Size mark, which specifies the nominal diameter of the
bar, as well as the Grade, Ductility, and Manufacturing Process marks are also hot-
rolled adjacent to the company logo.

Pag-asa Steel pioneered the practice of placing its logo on its bars in 1975, before it
was mandated by law. The Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade
and Industry of the Philippines now requires all rebar manufacturers to put identifying
marks on their bars.

Rebar Grade Rebar Ductility Class Manufacturing Process

PNS 49:2020 Grade Mark (Mark) (Mark)

Grade 230 2 Regular (R) -

Grade 280 3 Regular (R) -

or Weldable (W)

Grade 420 4 Regular (R) Quenched & Tempered / QT (T)

or Weldable (W) or Microalloyed / MA (A)

Grade 520 5 Regular (R) Quenched & Tempered / QT (T)

or Microalloyed / MA (A)

Grade 550 6 Regular (R) Quenched & Tempered / QT (T)

or Weldable (W) or Microalloyed / MA (A)
STANDARDS [Top]

Pag-asa Steel produces superior reinforcing steel bars in an array of sizes, lengths, and
grades in adherence to Philippine National Standard (PNS 49:2020), as well as the
global ASTM Standard (ASTM A615/A706) established by the American Society for
Testing and Materials (now known as ASTM International).

Standards Grades

PNS 49:2020 GR 230 GR 280 GR 420 GR 520 GR 550

ASTM A615 EQUIVALENT GR 33 GR 40 GR 60 GR 75 GR 80

ASTM A706 EQUIVALENT - - GR 60 - GR 80

The PNS 49 grade names come from the minimum yield strength of the bars, as
measured in megapascals (MPa). For instance, a standard Grade 420 bar has a
minimum yield strength of 420 MPa.

The ASTM International grades are also based on yield strength, but are primarily
expressed in pounds per square inch (psi). For instance, a standard Grade 60 bar has a
minimum yield strength of 60,000 psi [equivalent to 420 MPa], and is designated as
"Grade 60 [420]" in the standard.

For simplicity, psi-based designations are used here when referencing the ASTM
International standard.

BAR SIZES [Top]

Pag-asa Steel manufactures and sells the following standard sizes (in nominal
diameters): 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 28mm, 32mm, and 36mm. Larger
sizes such as 40mm and 50mm bars may be produced via special order.
 Nominal Diameter, mm

10 12 16 20 25 28 32 36 40 50

For steel bars, the terms "size" and "nominal diameter" are used interchangeably.

WEIGHT TOLERANCE [Top]

Because variation in cross sectional area occurs during hot rolling, a corresponding
variation in linear weight is to be expected. For this reason, PNS 49 provides for an
allowable 'variation in mass' (VIM) of ±6%, measured using one piece of steel bar.

COMMERCIAL LENGTHS [Top]

Pag-asa Steel rebars come in the following commercial lengths: 6.0m, 7.5m, 9.0m,
10.5m, and 12.0 m. Special lengths of 13.5 and 15.0 meters may be produced via
special order.

Commercial Length, m Special Length, m

6.0 7.5 9.0 10.5 12.5 13.5 15.0

The cut length of a rebar should not be shorter than the specified commercial lengths
according to the PNS 49:2020 standards. The specified tolerance for length is zero (0),
+ 60 mm.

GRADES [Top]

Pag-asa Steel rebars comes in the following grades to meet high-tensile, intermediate,
and low-tensile building requirements.
 PNS ASTM Popular Typical Application
49:2020 Equivalent Nomenclature

Grade 230 Grade 33 Structural Grade Low-rise Buildings and Low

Loading Conditions

Grade 280 Grade 40 Intermediate Grade Medium-rise Structures /

Infrastructure Work

Grade 420 Grade 60 High-Tensile Grade Medium & High-rise Structures /

Infrastructure

Grade 520 Grade 75 High-Tensile Grade Medium & High-rise Structures /

Infrastructure

Grade 550 Grade 80 High-Tensile Grade Medium & High-rise Structures /

Infrastructure

Rebar grade are embossed on the bars in addition to different color markings painted
at the ends of each bar, as shown in the following table:

Ductility Class PNS Standards ASTM Equivalent Color Code

Class 1 230R 33 *
Regular
Steel Bar 280R 40 *

420R 60 *

520R 75 *

550R 80 *

Class 2 280W 40 **
Weldable
Steel Bar 420W 60 **

550W 80 **
Show more

* At both ends of the bar ** One color per end of the bar
Reference: Philippine National Standard (PNS 49:2020)

Please refer to the chart below to see the properties of different rebar grades, as
outlined in the Philippine National Standard and ASTM Standard.
Download the PDF version of the Rebar Grade Comparison.
For cut and bend, mechanical couplers, and lab testing services, please click here.