BRITISH STANDARD BS 4483:1985

CONFIRMED
OCTOBER 1993

Specification for

Steel fabric for the

reinforcement of
concrete

UDC 669.14427:666.982.24
BS 4483:1985

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Iron and Steel
Standards Committee (ISM/) to Technical Committee ISM/9, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

British Independent Steel Producers Association

British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
British Reinforcement Manufacturers Association
British Steel Industry
British Steel Industry Wire Section
Cement and Concrete Association
Concrete Society
County Surveyors Society
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Transport (Highways)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Greater London Council
High Yield Bar Development Association
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
UK Certification Authority Reinforcing Steels

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the direction
of the Iron and Steel Standards
Committee, was published under
the authority of the Board of BSI
and comes into effect on
31 October 1985

BSI 12-1998
Amendments issued since publication

First published August 1969 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

First revision October 1985

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference ISM/9
Draft for comment 84/35699 DC

ISBN 0 580 14683 9

 BS 4483:1985

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Information to be supplied by the purchaser 1
4 Dimensions 2
5 Cross-sectional areas and mass 2
6 Process of manufacture 2
7 Quality 2
8 Fabric classification 3
9 Tolerances on mass, dimensions and pitch 3
10 Bond classification of fabric 4
11 Testing and manufacturers certificate 4
12 Mechanical tests 4
13 Retests 4
Appendix A Mechanical tests 5
Appendix B Notation and classification of fabric 6
Figure 1 Weld test device 5
Figure 2 Fabric notation 6
Figure 3 Designated and scheduled fabric examples 7
Figure 4 Detailed fabric example 8
Table 1 Preferred range of designated fabric types and
stock sheet size 3
Publications referred to Inside back cover

BSI 12-1998 i
BS 4483:1985

Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Iron and Steel
Standards Committee and supersedes BS 4483:1969 which is withdrawn. This
revision reflects current practice and incorporates the fabric notation of BS 4466.
All reinforcing steels supplied in accordance with this standard are readily
weldable, providing that the requirements of BS 5135 are observed.
Purchasers ordering to this standard are advised to specify in their purchasing
contract that the supplier operates a quality system in compliance
with BS 5750-2 to ensure to their satisfaction that products claiming to comply
with this standard consistently achieve the required level of quality.
NOTE A new British Standard on the welding of reinforcement is in preparation and, until it
becomes available, the requirements of BS 5135 together with the reinforcement manufacturers
recommendation should be observed.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii BSI 12-1998
 BS 4483:1985

1 Scope 2.7
mesh
This British Standard specifies requirements for
factory made welded steel fabric manufactured from the rectangle defined by the pitch of the longitudinal
plain or deformed wires1) complying with BS 4449, wires and the pitch of the cross wires
BS 4461 or BS 4482 for the reinforcement of 2.8
concrete. nominal size
Welded wire fabric and steel mesh products for the diameter of a circle with an area equal to the
other purposes are not included in this standard. cross-sectional area of the wire
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover.
2.9
overhang
2 Definitions the extent of the projection of longitudinal wires or
For the purposes of this British Standard the cross wires beyond the peripheral cross-over points
following definitions apply. in a sheet
2.1 2.10
batch pitch
any quantity of fabric of one type presented for the centre to centre spacing of wires in a sheet of
examination and test at any one time fabric
2.2 2.11
bundle size
two or more sheets of fabric properly bound together the nominal size of a wire in millimetres
2.3 2.12
cross wires sheet
the wires on the upperside of a sheet or roll of fabric a single piece of fabric that may be flat or rolled or
when viewed as shown in Figure 2 folded (i.e. bent to a specified shape)
2.4 2.13
fabric width
a cross-over arrangement of longitudinal wires and the overall dimension of a sheet of fabric measured
cross wires that are welded together at some or all in the direction of the cross wires
of the cross-over points in a shear resistant manner
complying with 12.2 3 Information to be supplied by the
purchaser
2.5
length To assist the manufacturer in supplying the
required fabric, the following information shall be
1) Of wire. A piece, nominally straight, cut to a
given in the enquiry and order.
specified length.
a) the number of this British Standard,
2) Of roll or sheet. The overall dimension of the
i.e. BS 4483;
fabric measured in the direction of the
longitudinal wires. b) the number of the appropriate British
Standard for the wire quality, i.e. BS 4449,
2.6
BS 4461 or BS 4482 and the type of wire required;
longitudinal wires
c) a specification of the wire sizes and mesh
the wires on the underside of a sheet or roll of fabric arrangement required;
when viewed as shown in Figure 2
d) the dimensions of each sheet required;
e) the quantities of each sheet required.

1)
For the purposes of this standard the term wire includes material complying with BS 4449 or BS 4461.

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BS 4483:1985
4 Dimensions
4.1 The dimensions of the individual wires shall be
in accordance with the British Standard for the
appropriate wire product, i.e. BS 4461, BS 4449 and
BS 4482.
4.2 The combinations of mesh, wire sizes and sheet
dimensions for welded steel fabric shall be specified
in accordance with appendix B or, for the preferred
range of designated mesh types, shall be as given
in Table 1 and shall be subject to the tolerances
specified in clause 9.
5 Cross-sectional areas and mass
5.1 The cross-sectional areas and mass of an
individual sheet shall be derived from the specified
dimensions of the sheet, the nominal wire sizes and
the specified pitches for its wires.
5.2 The cross-sectional areas and mass per square
metre of the preferred range of designated mesh
types shall be as given in Table 1.
5.3 The effective cross-sectional areas and mass of
welded steel fabric shall be subject to the tolerances
specified in clause 9.
2 BSI 12-1998
6 Process of manufacture
The fabric shall be machine made and the joints at
the intersections of the longitudinal and transverse
wires shall be made by electrical resistance welding
to provide shear resistant connections complying
with clause 12.
7 Quality
7.1 Wire of grade 460 complying with BS 4449,
BS 4461 or BS 4482 shall be used except that wire of
grade 250 shall be permitted for wrapping fabric as
designated in Table 1.
NOTE Fabric is almost invariably produced from cold reduced
steel wire complying with BS 4482.
7.2 Fabric including butt welded wires shall be
permitted.
7.3 Fabric shall be free from any defect which can be
shown to affect adversely the mechanical properties
of the steel. Missing wires resulting from test
sampling in accordance with appendix A shall not be
considered a defect.
7.4 The number of broken welds shall not
exceed 4 % of the total number of cross welded joints
in the sheet nor exceed half the number of cross
welded joints along any one wire.
 BS 4483:1985

Table 1 Preferred range of designated fabric types and stock sheet size
Fabric reference Longitudinal wires Cross wires
Nominal Pitch Area Nominal wire Pitch Area Mass
wire size size
mm mm mm2/m mm mm mm2/m kg/m2
Square mesh
A393 10 200 393 10 200 393 6.16
A252 8 200 252 8 200 252 3.95
A193 7 200 193 7 200 193 3.02
A142 6 200 142 6 200 142 2.22
A98 5 200 98 5 200 98 1.54

Structural
mesh
B1131 12 100 1131 8 200 252 10.9
B785 10 100 785 8 200 252 8.14
B503 8 100 503 8 200 252 5.93
B385 7 100 385 7 200 193 4.53
B283 6 100 283 7 200 193 3.73
B196 5 100 196 7 200 193 3.05

Long mesh
C785 10 100 785 6 400 70.8 6.72
C636 9 100 636 6 400 70.8 5.55
C503 8 100 503 5 400 49 4.34
C385 7 100 385 5 400 49 3.41
C283 6 100 283 5 400 49 2.61

Wrapping mesh
D98 5 200 98 5 200 98 1.54
D49 2.5 100 49 2.5 100 49 0.77
Longitudinal wires Cross wires Sheet area
Stock sheet size
Length 4.8 m Width 2.4 m 11.52 m2
NOTE Values are subject to the tolerances specified in clause 9.

8 Fabric classification 9.2 Dimensions

The notation specified in BS 4466 for concrete
reinforcement (see appendix B) shall be used as the
general basis for describing and classifying sheets of
fabric for reference and ordering purposes.
9 Tolerances on mass, dimensions and
pitch
9.1 Mass
The tolerance on the specified mass of the fabric per
square metre shall be 6 %.
The tolerance on the specified linear dimensions of
the longitudinal wires and the cross wires in a sheet
shall be 25 mm or 0.5 % whichever is the greater.
9.3 Pitch
The deviation on the pitch of adjacent wires shall
not exceed 15 mm or 7.5 % of the nominal pitch
whichever is the greater.

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BS 4483:1985
10 Bond classification of fabric
10.1 Welded steel fabric with shear resistant welded
intersections complying with 12.2, and having the
number of welded intersections within its bond
length in accordance with BS 8110-1, shall be
classified for bond purposes as fabric reinforcement
complying with this clause.
10.2 Welded steel fabric which does not comply
with 10.1 in respect of the number of welded
intersections within its bond length shall be
classified for bond purposes as plain or deformed
type 1 or deformed type 2 reinforcement from the
classification of the constituent wires of the fabric
determined in accordance with the conditions
specified in BS 4482.
11 Testing and manufacturers
certificate
11.1 The manufacturer shall carry out tests to
ensure that the material complies with the relevant
requirements of this standard. A record of the
consecutive test results shall be available for
inspection by the purchaser or his representative for
a period of 6 years from the date of delivery.
11.2 When a test certificate is requested it shall
state:
a) that the material supplied complies with and
has been tested at the frequency specified in this
standard;
b) the address at which the record of test results
is available for inspection and if the test pieces
have been aged (see A.2.4).
4 BSI 12-1998
12 Mechanical tests
12.1 Tensile and bending tests
When tested as described in A.3.1 and A.3.2, the
tensile and bending properties of the steel obtained
from test pieces selected and prepared in accordance
with A.1 and A.2 shall comply with BS 4449,
BS 4461 or BS 4482, as appropriate.
12.2 Weld test
When tested as described in A.3.3, on test pieces
prepared and selected in accordance with A.1
and A.2, the shearing load required to produce
failure of a welded intersection shall be not less
than 0.25 A fy, where A is the nominal
cross-sectional area of the smaller wire at the
welded intersection and fy is the specified
characteristic yield stress of the wire.
13 Retests
If any test sample fails to meet the tensile, bending
or weld test requirements, two additional test
samples shall be taken from different sheets of the
same batch and subjected to the test or tests in
which the original sample failed. If both additional
test samples pass the test or retests, the batch from
which they were taken shall be deemed to comply
with this standard. If either of them fails, the batch
shall be deemed not to comply with this standard.
 BS 4483:1985

Appendix A Mechanical tests A.3.3 Weld test

A.1 Selection of test samples
Cut from a sheet samples of sufficient length to
prepare the tensile and bending test pieces required
in A.2. Sample each batch at a frequency not less
than one longitudinal wire sample and one cross
wire sample per 50 t of finished fabric. Samples for
tensile testing shall contain one or more cross
welded joints.
Carry out the determination of weld shear strength
on a tensile testing machine with the wire mounted
in a suitable device, such as that illustrated
in Figure 1, that will restrain the welded transverse
wire to prevent its rotation and ensure that
frictional restraints do not inhibit movement of the
free end of the pulled wire.
Locate the pulled wire centrally in the apparatus so
that the load is applied axially.

A.2 Preparation of test pieces

A.2.1 Test pieces for tensile testing
Prepare straight test pieces, each containing one or
more cross welded joints, of the length specified for
tensile test pieces in BS 4449, BS 4461 or BS 4482,
as appropriate.
A.2.2 Test pieces for weld tests
Prepare suitable test pieces taken at cross welded
joints or use test pieces previously subjected to
tensile testing provided that the necking at the
fracture is clear of the weld zone and the projection
beyond the intersection is of sufficient length for the
piece to be restrained from rotating while testing.
A.2.3 Test pieces for bending tests
Prepare straight test pieces without welded
intersections in the region subjected to bending.
A.2.4 Simulated ageing
If simulated ageing is undertaken the test pieces
shall be conditioned at a temperature of 100 C for a
period of not more than 2 h.
NOTE If such ageing is carried out it is a requirement of this
standard that this is recorded on test sheets and certificates of
testing (see clause 11).

A.3 Methods of test Figure 1 Weld test device

A.3.1 Tensile test
Determine the tensile strength, yield stress and
elongation of the steel on test pieces selected and
prepared as described in A.1 and A.2 in accordance
with the method described in the appropriate
material standard, i.e. BS 4449, BS 4461 or
BS 4482.
A.3.2 Bending test
Carry out the bending tests on test pieces selected
and prepared as described in A.1 and A.2 in
accordance with the method described in the
appropriate standard, BS 4449, BS 4461 or
BS 4482. Regard a test result as invalid if the
distance between a section subjected to bending
curvature during the test and a welded intersection
point is less than 4d where d is the nominal size of
the test piece.

BSI 12-1998 5
BS 4483:1985

Appendix B Notation and B.3 Scheduled fabric

classification of fabric
B.1 General
The general basis for describing and classifying
sheets of fabric for reference and ordering purposes
shall be that specified in BS 4466 using the notation
illustrated in Figure 2, except that for designated,
scheduled and detailed fabric as described in
BS 4466, a simplified procedure can be adopted
(see B.2 to B.4).
B.2 Designated fabric
A designated fabric is one having defined mesh
arrangements and wire sizes and specified by
designated reference numbers (see example,
Figure 3, of a designated fabric from the preferred
range in Table 1 with an alpha-numeric reference to
define the size and pitch of the longitudinal wires
and cross wires).
Fabric having a regular mesh arrangement with
uniform wire sizes in each direction is specified
using the standard form of fabric schedule shown
in BS 4466 (see example, Figure 3).
B.4 Detailed fabric
When the standard form of schedule (see Figure 3)
is used to define more complicated arrangements
involving longitudinal wires of different sizes or
irregular spacings in one or both directions, a fully
dimensioned drawing is required to supplement the
schedule and adequately define to fabric
(see example, Figure 4).

Figure 2 Fabric notation

6 BSI 12-1998
 BS 4483:1985

Figure 3 Designated and scheduled fabric examples

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BS 4483:1985

Figure 4 Detailed fabric example

8 BSI 12-1998
 BS 4483:1985

Publications referred to

BS 4449, Specification for hot rolled steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4461, Specification for cold worked steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4466, Specification for bending dimensions and scheduling of reinforcement for concrete.
BS 4482, Specification for cold reduced steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 5135, Specification for the process of arc welding of carbon and carbon manganese steels2).
BS 5750, Quality systems2).
BS 5750-2, Specification for manufacture and installation.

2) Referred to in the foreword only.

BSI 12-1998
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