ASTM A615/A615M
Standard Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
Ordinary carbon-steel rebar — the black bar on most jobs — and the Grade 40, 60, 75, 80, and 100 designations stamped into it.
Who needs it
Rebar fabricators and suppliers, structural engineers, detailers, inspectors, and any contractor verifying that delivered bar matches the drawings.
What the test involves
It sets tensile and yield requirements, bend behavior, deformation patterns, and the marking system rolled into the bar so that grade, mill, size, and material type can be identified after delivery. The grade number corresponds to the specified minimum yield strength in thousands of pounds per square inch, which is why Grade 60 is the common structural default. It covers chemistry only loosely, which is precisely the limitation that a low-alloy specification addresses.
Common misconceptions
- Rebar grade is not interchangeable on a whim. Substituting a higher grade changes development lengths and detailing, so it is an engineer's decision, not a purchasing decision.
- Carbon-steel rebar under this specification is not qualified for welding by default. Welding it requires knowing its chemistry and following a welding procedure.
- Surface rust on delivered bar is normal and generally does not require cleaning; loose flaking scale and contamination are the actual concerns.
Official source
We summarize scope and purpose only. The full text belongs to the issuing body — read it at the official source. ASTM International