Building Construction Handbook, Eighth Edition

Bar Coding ~ a convenient method for specifying and coordinating

the prefabrication of steel reinforcement in the assembly area. It is

also useful on site, for checking deliveries and locating materials

relative to project requirements. BS EN ISO 3766 provides

guidance for a simplified coding system, such that bars can be

manufactured and labelled without ambiguity for easy recognition

and application on site.

A typical example is the beam shown on page 500, where the

lower longitudinal reinforcement (mk„1) could be coded:~

2T20-1-200B or,*^1 2TO=20-200-B-21

2 = number of bars

T = deformed high yield steel (460 N/mm^2 , 8†40 mm dia.)

20 or, O=20 = diameter of bar (mm)

1or*^1 = bar mark or ref. no.

200 = spacing (mm)

B = located in bottom of member

21 = shape code

Other common notation:-

R = plain round mild steel (250 N/mm^2 , 8†16 mm dia.)

S = stainless steel

W = wire reinforcement (4†12 mm dia.)

T (at the end) = located in top of member

abr = alternate bars reversed (useful for offsets)

Thus, bar mk.2 = 2R10-2-200T or,*^2 RO=10-200-T-00

and mk.3 = 10R8-3-270 or,*^3 10RO=8-270-54

All but the most obscure reinforcement shapes are illustrated in

the British Standard. For the beam referred to on page 500, the

standard listing is:-

Ref. BS EN ISO 3766: Construction drawings. Simplified

representation of concrete reinforcement.

Identification of Concrete Reinforcement