CRSI: Rebar Marked With a W Now Dual Grade

The 2020 changes to ASTM A615 match the rebar requirements as A706. A706 material now meets or exceeds all chemical and mechanical requirements for the respective size and grade of A615.

Concrete Rebar W Rebar S Update ASTM A615 A706
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According to a July 2022 bulletin by the Concrete Reinforcement Steel Institute, concrete reinforcement bars marked with a W can be considered as dual grade. Changes to ASTM A615-20 specification reduced the tensile strength requirements for A615 Grades 60 and 80 to 80,000 psi and 100,000 psi, respectively. These are the same requirements as A706, so with these changes A706 material now meets or exceeds all chemical and mechanical requirements for the respective size and grade of A615.

Historically, W-marked reinforcement bars were certified to meet A706 and S-marked reinforcement bars met A615. Bars marked with a W and an S are considered dual grade since they meet both A706 and A615. Since A706 rebar inherently meets the requirements of A615, all W bars should also be accepted as dual grade.

Future A706 and A615 specification revisions may permit reinforcement bars with only a W marking to be certified to meet both A706 and A615, but this change has not yet been adopted as of the publishing of this bulletin. Some producers may continue the practice of putting both letter markings on the bar, but this will no longer be a requirement.

It's encouraged to contact your producing mill for further questions.

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