Australian sizes

Reinforcement for use in concrete construction is subject to the requirements of Australian

Standards AS3600-2009 (Concrete Structures) and AS/NZS4671-2001 (Steel Reinforcing for
Concrete). There are other standards that apply to testing, welding and galvanising. The
designation of reinforcement is defined in AS/NZS4671-2001 using the following formats:
Bars

Yield strength Ductility Nominal diameter

Shape code
(MPa) class (mm)

D - deformed bar - Grade

300 MPa N - normal 10
300

D - deformed bar - Grade

500 MPa N - normal 10
500

R - round bar 250 MPa L - low 12

16

20

24

28

32

36

40
Examples:
D500N12 is deformed bar, 500 MPa strength, normal ductility and 12 mm nominal
diameter - also known as "N12"
R250N20 is round bar, 250 MPa strength, normal ductility and 20 mm nominal
diameter - also known as "R20"
Bars are typically abbreviated to simply 'N' (hot-rolled deformed bar), 'R' (hot-
rolled round bar), 'RW' (cold-drawn ribbed wire) or 'W' (cold-drawn round wire),
as the yield strength and ductility class can be implied from the shape. For
example, all commercially available wire has a yield strength of 500 MPa and
low ductility, while round bars are 250 MPa and normal ductility.
Mesh

Nominal spacing
Nominal
Ductility Nominal spacing (short direction)
Shape code diameter
class (long direction) (only required in
(mm)
rectangular mesh)

L - low
S - square 7 mm 1 100 mm 1 100 mm
ductility

R-
8 mm 2 200 mm 2 200 mm
rectangular

10 mm 8 80 mm 8 80 mm

12 mm