318-88

MANUAL OF CONCRETE PRACTICE

CODE

COMMENTARY

TABLE 7.2 MINIMUM DIAMETERS OF BEND

Bar size
No. 3 through No. 8

Minimum diameter
6db

No. 9, No. 10, and No. 11

8db

No. 14 and No. 18

10db

7.3 Bending

R7.3 Bending

7.3.1 All reinforcement shall be bent cold, unless

otherwise permitted by the licensed design professional.

R7.3.1 For unusual bends with inside diameters less than

ASTM bend test requirements, special fabrication may be
required.

7.3.2 Reinforcement partially embedded in

concrete shall not be field bent, except as shown on
the design drawings or permitted by the licensed
design professional.

R7.3.2 Construction conditions may make it necessary to

bend bars that have been embedded in concrete. Such field
bending should not be done without authorization of the
licensed design professional. Contract documents should
specify whether the bars will be permitted to be bent cold or
if heating should be used. Bends should be gradual and
should be straightened as required.
Tests7.2,7.3 have shown that A615 Grade 40 and Grade 60
reinforcing bars can be cold bent and straightened up to
90 degrees at or near the minimum diameter specified in
7.2. If cracking or breakage is encountered, heating to a
maximum temperature of 1500 F may avoid this condition
for the remainder of the bars. Bars that fracture during bending
or straightening can be spliced outside the bend region.
Heating should be performed in a manner that will avoid
damage to the concrete. If the bend area is within approximately 6 in. of the concrete, some protective insulation may
need to be applied. Heating of the bar should be controlled
by temperature-indicating crayons or other suitable means.
The heated bars should not be artificially cooled (with water
or forced air) until after cooling to at least 600 F.

7.4 Surface conditions of reinforcement

R7.4 Surface conditions of reinforcement

7.4.1At the time concrete is placed, reinforcement

shall be free from mud, oil, or other nonmetallic coatings
that decrease bond. Epoxy-coating of steel reinforcement in accordance with standards referenced in
3.5.3.8 and 3.5.3.9 shall be permitted.

Specific limits on rust are based on tests,7.4 plus a review

of earlier tests and recommendations. Reference 7.4
provides guidance with regard to the effects of rust and
mill scale on bond characteristics of deformed reinforcing
bars. Research has shown that a normal amount of rust
increases bond. Normal rough handling generally removes
rust that is loose enough to injure the bond between the
concrete and reinforcement.

7.4.2 Except for prestressing steel, steel reinforcement with rust, mill scale, or a combination of both
shall be considered satisfactory, provided the minimum
dimensions (including height of deformations) and
weight of a hand-wire-brushed test specimen comply
with applicable ASTM specifications referenced in 3.5.

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Copyright American Concrete Institute

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Not for Resale, 02/14/2008 10:51:19 MST