New generation

of concrete reinforcement

Class C reinforcing steel

 High ductility reinforcing steel

Grade B5000SP according to PN-H-93220 Class C according to Eurocode 2

Properties of EPSTAL® steel:

Reinforcing steel
teel is produced by steel manufactures meeting the requirements
of the certificate program by CPJS
EPSTAL® is identified by the configuration of the ribs on the two opposite rows of the bar.
In each row of the bar, the ribs form two series with the identical spacing but a different
inclination (figure 1).

EPSTAL® certification With conformity to the standard EN-10080 grades of reinforcing steel are identification by
thickened ribs (figure 2). EPSTAL® bars in addition to the standard own letter markings enable to
easily distinguish them from other grades of steel.
EPSTAL® quality mark is the property of The Centre for Promotion of Steel Quality -
CPJS - which is responsible for the management and operation of the mark
The objectives of CPJS are the following:
promotion of innovation in the field of concrete reinforcing steel products
spreading knowledge on structural concrete
promotion of the certified steel products

Figure 1: Rib geometry of EPSTAL® bars of grade B500SP

CPJS activities
scientific researches in cooperation with technical universities, professionals from steel indu-
stry as well as prestigious laboratories and research institutes
organization of trainings, seminars and conferences as well as participation in courses organi-
zed by technical universities, certification bodies and associations connected with the sector
preparation of manuals, monographs and technical bulletins
providing technical supervision of producers

The advisory committee

Operations and publications are supervised and

Figure 2: Scheme of the EPSTAL® letter mark
verified by the EPSTAL® advisory committee consisting of
top authorities from the fields related to construction, in
particular to reinforced concrete constructions, standardi-
zation and certification of construction products.
 means:
means
Reinforcing steel standardization:
high ductility reinforcing steel obtained from a stable
and controlled manufacturing process
Eurocode 2
higher level of safety
easy identification through the permanent EPSTAL® Eurocode 2 specifies three classes of reinforcing steel, based on ductility criterion (Table 3).

mark rolled on bars Table 3

steel class A B C The classification
properties meeting the following standards: of reinforcing steel
• EN 10080:2005 according to Euro-
the characteristic yield strength (fyk, f0,2k)
400 ÷ 600 code 2.
[MPa]
• EN 1992-1-1:2005 - Eurocode 2
≥1,15
• PN-H 93220:2006 the minimuim value of k = (ft / fy )k ≥1,05 ≥1,08
<1,35
• PN-B 03264:2002
characteristic strain at maximum force, εuk
meeting all the requirements of the applicable, compulsory standards qualifying products ≥2,5 ≥5 ≥7,5
[%]
for usage in the construction industry.

B500SP (EPSTAL®)
Table 1
is class C steel
Diameter Nominal cross sectional area Mass 1m*) – Nominal Maximum deviation from
Basic sizes
and weights
d S mass per metre nominal mass
Class A reinforcing steel
of the reinforcing [mm] [cm2] [kg/m] [%]
bars in grade 8 0,503 0,395 0,371 ÷ 0,418 This steel is normally cold rolled steel produced by cold rolling of a plain hot rolled rod in coils.
B500SP
10 0,785 0,617 0,589 ÷ 0,644 This is generally used in the production of welded fabric and is considered very low ductility
12 1,130 0,888 0,848 ÷ 0,928
Class B reinforcing steel
16 2,010 1,58 1,507 ÷ 1,649
20 3,140 2,47 2,355 ÷ 2,577 This steel is hot rolled steel in which the ribbed bar shape is formed in a hot rolling process.
25 4,910 3,85 3,680 ÷ 4,027 This grade is considered normal ductility
32 8,040 6,31 6,029 ÷ 6,597
Class C reinforcing steel - EPSTAL® steel

This grade is also hot rolled steel but using processes designed to retain more ductility.
Table 2 This class is considered high ductility
Selected standard
fyk [MPa] 500
requirements for fyd [MPa] 420
the EPSTAL® steel
ftk [MPa] 575 The values presented in Table 2 are mini-
mum ones and in the process of current
(ft /f y )k 1,15 ÷ 1,35
production better properties are obta-
εuk [%] 8 ined. A statistical analysis of the actual
material research results will be publi-
fatigue a minimum of two million cycles
shed in following publications
cyclic load a minimum of 3 cycles
weldability guaranteed Ceq≤0,5%
the modulus
200 GPa
of elasticity ES

*) mass calculated on the basis of steel density 7850 kg/m3. Figure 3: Comparison of the stress-strain curves for different steel classes
 Steel Ductility and Properties of Reinforced Concrete

Ductile steel has a higher energy-absorbing capacity in critical situations when there is a risk
of failure caused by rupture (the area under the graph in figure 4). It also provides higher tensile
strength and enables the redistribution of moments in a structure. Therefore, by using this kind of
reinforcing steel we can obtain: Fatigue and Cyclic load test
higher resistance for repeated variable loads
early warning of the construction damage through the deformations, wide cracks and fissures
which are easily visible in sub critical stress state
higher resistance of the construction to the effects of unforeseen stresses caused by such events The producers of the EPSTAL® steel are obligated to perma-
and catastrophes as: hits, earthquakes or sudden damages of a part of the construction, for nently determine its fatigue and cyclic load resistance. EPSTAL®
example during an explosion steel undergoes continuous monitoring of these two parameters
according to the standard PN-H 93220 (national standard based
higher resistance of the construction to loads caused by settlement, creep or increased tem- on EN 10080).
perature
possibility of reinforcing the construction in the way which more precisely corresponds to the
real distribution of stresses thanks to ductility (plastic hinges)
1 stress cycle
According to Eurocode 2 plastic analysis method can be employed only for elements reinforced with
high ductility steel class B or C (εuk > 5% ; ftk / fyk > 1,08). EPSTAL® meets these conditions. Employment
of plastic analysis method in designing of continuous beams, girders and slabs considerably simpli-
fies reinforcement and designing of reinforced concrete elements, because construction flexibility
for local structure deformations enables redistribution of moments. In this instance the construction
adjusts to the emergent distribution of moments because moments are redistributed to the sections
of higher load capacity, reinforced with more bars.

Figure 5: Fatigue test

Figure 4 shows graphs illustrating relationships between stress and strain for low and high ductility
steel.

Figure 6: Cyclic load test

Figure 4: Diagrammatic graphs illustrating relationships between stresses and
deformations for a) low ductility steel, and b) high ductility steel, ftk – the char-
acteristic tensile strength, fyk - the characteristic yield strength, εuk - character-
istic strain at maximum force, E1, E2 – the value of energy absorbed

06
 The ratio between tensile strength and yield strength (ft/fy)k
Advantages of EPSTAL® steel is an indicator of the steel resistance margin after achieving
the upper limit of the yield strength. The higher the ratio, the
Safety greater the “safety margin”. High ductility steels show the (ft/fy)k
ratio higher than the grades of steel currently used (Table 4).
The high ductility enables redistribution of loads due to the
greater possibility of cross-section turning and therefore the
rise of plastic joints.
Enhancement of strength of reinforcing steel can be reached in several ways. One of them is
increasing carbon content in steel. Unfortunately, this causes undesired side effects in the form Characteristic strain at maximum force uk (%) is the elongation
of an increased brittleness of steel and low weldability. One of the other ways is enhancement of of steel sample during the tensile test at maximum load. It is
strength by cold rolling. However, this process drastically reduces the ductility to the dangerous expressed as the percentage relation between the elongation
level of total strain at maximum force (uk)2,5%. This is the absolute minimum value specified in all and the the original length.
standards for these kinds of products. The further away from this borderline, the steel is safer.
The behavior of reinforced concrete constructions largely depends on the parameters of steel. The greater the strain, the more ductile the steel.
The enlargement of a construction safety is achieved by application of high ductility steel
Ductility of steel is its ability to achieve strain without significant increase of stresses in a loading
phase called yielding after having exceeded the upper limit of the yield strength of steel. What Plastic energy gain coefficient Id is an undimensional coefficient used for the determination of steel
does it mean in practice? ductility. It expresses the relation between the value of the total energy (elastic and plastic), the energy
absorbed during the straining of steel (up to the moment of rupture), to the elastic energy.
Ductile steel has a higher energy-absorbing capacity in critical situations when there is a risk of
damage caused by rupture, so through the use of this grade of reinforcing steel we can obtain:
early warning of the construction damage through the deformations, wide fissures, cracks
and fractures which are visible to the naked eye in subcritical loads state EE + EP ff εu
Id = = (1+ )( -1)
EE fy εy
higher resistance of the construction to the effects of unforeseen loads caused by such
events and catastrophes as: hits, shakings or sudden damages of a part of the construction,
for example during an explosion
higher resistance of the construction to acquired deformations (temperature, settlement, Where:
creep etc.)
EE – elastic energy in N/mm2
EP – plastic energy in N/mm2
Ductility of steel is defined by the following parameters and relationships:
ratio between tensile strength and yield strength, ft/fy (Rm/Re)
characteristic strain at maximum force, εuk (Agt) Figure 7: Plastic and elastic energy on stress-
strain curve of a steel
plastic energy gain coefficient, Id

The ductility of steel grows along with the growth of the Id coefficient.

Table 4
Class C - EPSTAL® Class B Class A
The requirements of the
standards determining uk 8% 5% 2,5%
tensile strength and yield High ductility enables the redistribution
(ft/fy)k 1,15 ÷ 1,35 1,08 1,05
strength of internal forces due to the cross-sec-
tion rotation capacity and consequently
development of yield hinges in statically
indeterminable constructions.
 The calculated curve will enable to guarantee the parameters of
Advantages of EPSTAL® steel the steel in every stage of loading. The especially interesting part
of the curve is its stretch beyond the yield strength. This part of
Quality the curve determines the real safety margin in the plastic analysis
of elements of reinforced steel constructions.
EPSTAL® steel products meet all the applicable, compulsory standards qualifying products for
usage in the construction industry. They meet the requirements of the following European stan-
dards: EN 10080:2005, EN 1992-1-1:2005 (Eurocode 2) as well as the national standards (in case of Concurrently with the research on steel in the form of tensile tests
Poland: PN-B-03264:2002, PN-H 93220). According to the Eurocode 2 classification of reinforcing there will also be carried out fatigue load tests in high-tech labo-
steel, EPSTAL® belongs to the class C of increased ductility. According to this classification the ratories using resonance machines with frequencies up to 100Hz
grades of reinforcing steel hitherto available on our market are ranked as class A or B. These as well as cyclic tests (the hysteresis cycle).
classes are characterized by lower ductility.
The certificate for the EPSTAL® mark issued by CPJS assures high quality of products supplied by
the manufacturers (according ISO 9001:2000), additionally controlled by CPJS. Results
Research will result in the shape of the equation of the guaranteed
stress-strain curve.

Advantages of EPSTAL® steel

Guarantee
EPSTAL® quality mark reinforcing steel have the producer’s guarantee and civil liability insur-
ance, which covers possible damages caused by products with this trademark.

The insurance covers:

civil liability for material and personal damages to a third party in connection with the issue of Advantages of EPSTAL® steel
products with the EPSTAL® quality mark.
civil liability for damages incurred by the producer of the final product according to the so- Identification
called clause of mixing and connection.
civil liability for damages incurred by the producer of the final product according to the so-
called clause of further processing In addition to the standard marking, every bundle of rein-
forcing bars with the EPSTAL® mark is provided with the label
civil liability for the costs removal and replacement of the defective product according to the
identifying the logo of the mark, grade of steel according to
so-called clause of assembly and disassembly
appropriate standard and also details of a producer. There is also
the permanent EPSTAL letter signs replace 6 consecutive ribs.
On request of the client the producer can display the EPSTAL®
certificate and attestation of the insurance for products.

Advantages of EPSTAL® steel

Innovation
One of the fields in which CPJS is engaged is the support of the undertakings, researches
and the development of products aimed at improvement and providing assurance of the qu-
ality. One of the most advanced researches is determining the characteristic stress-strain curve
for reinforcing steel. It is determined on the basis of thousands of results of material research
carried out by the domestic producers of EPSTAL® steel, in statistical terms.
 Diameter Nominal cross sectional area Mass 1 m*) - Nominal mass
Permissible range of mass
d S per metre
[mm] [cm2] [kg/m] [%]
8 0,503 0,395 0,371 ÷ 0,418
10 0,785 0,617 0,589 ÷ 0,644
12 1,130 0,888 0,848 ÷ 0,928
16 2,010 1,580 1,507 ÷ 1,649
20 3,140 2,470 2,355 ÷ 2,577
25 4,910 3,850 3,680 ÷ 4,027
32 8,040 6,310 6,029 ÷ 6,597

Cross-sec- Nominal The cross-section of the reinforcement in cm2 / m, dependent

Diameter tion mass on the spacing of bars
mm
cm2 kg/m 10 cm 15 cm 20 cm 25 cm 30 cm
8 0,503 0,395 5,03 3,35 2,51 2,01 1,68
10 0,785 0,617 7,85 5,24 3,93 3,14 2,62
12 1,131 0,888 11,31 7,54 5,65 4,52 3,77
16 2,011 1,578 20,11 13,40 10,05 8,04 6,70
20 3,142 2,470 31,42 20,94 15,71 12,57 10,47
25 4,909 3,850 49,09 32,72 24,54 19,63 16,36
32 8,042 6,310 80,42 53,62 40,21 32,17 26,81

Nominal The cross-section of the reinforcement in cm2, dependent on the number of bars
Diameter mass
mm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
kg/m
8 0,395 0,50 1,01 1,51 2,01 2,51 3,02 3,52 4,02 4,52 5,03
10 0,617 0,79 1,57 2,36 3,14 3,93 4,71 5,50 6,28 7,07 7,85
12 0,888 1,13 2,26 3,39 4,52 5,65 6,79 7,92 9,05 10,18 11,31
16 1,578 2,01 4,02 6,03 8,04 10,5 12,06 14,07 16,08 18,10 20,11
20 2,470 3,14 6,28 9,42 12,57 15,71 18,85 21,99 25,13 28,27 31,42
25 3,850 4,91 9,82 14,73 19,63 24,54 29,45 34,36 39,27 44,18 49,09
32 6,310 8,04 16,08 24,13 32,17 40,21 48,25 56,30 64,34 72,38 80,42

Nominal Load capacity in kN, dependent on the number of bars for γs = 1,15
Diameter
mass
mm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
kg/m
8 0,395 21,85 43,71 65,56 87,42 109,27 131,13 152,98 174,84 196,69 218,55
10 0,617 34,15 68,30 102,44 136,59 170,74 204,89 239,03 273,18 307,33 341,48
12 0,888 49,17 98,35 147,52 196,69 245,86 295,04 344,21 393,38 442,55 491,73
16 1,578 87,42 174,84 262,25 349,67 437,09 524,51 611,93 699,35 786,76 874,18
20 2,470 136,59 273,18 409,77 546,36 682,95 819,55 956,14 1092,73 1229,32 1365,91
25 3,850 213,42 426,85 640,27 853,69 1067,12 1280,54 1493,96 1707,39 1920,81 2134,23
32 6,310 349,67 699,35 1049,02 1398,69 1748,36 2098,04 2447,71 2797,38 3147,06 3496,73

Office:
00-675 Warszawa, ul. Koszykowa 54
tel. +48 22 630 83 75, fax +48 22 625 50 49
e-mail: biuro@cpjs.pl
www.cpjs.pl