BS4466:

1989

Shape

Codes
In April 2000 a new British Standard, BS8666 the ‘Specification for scheduling,
dimensioning, bending and cutting of steel reinforcement for concrete’ was introduced,
replacing BS 4466. Although BS4466 is superseded it is still used and is described below for
reference purposes.

BS

4466 –

Preferred

Shapes

Method of measurement of Total length Method of measurement of Total length

bending dimensions. of bar (L) bending dimensions. of bar (L)
measured measured
along centre along centre
line. line.
Shape Code Shape Code
20 41
A A+B+(C)
If angles with
the horizontal
are 45° or less:
see note 4.
Shape Code Shape Code
32 43
A+h A+2B+C+(E)
If angles with
the horizontal
are
45° or less: see
note 4.
Shape Code Shape Code
33 51
A+2h A+(B)-½R-d
This formula is
approximate, if
R is minimum,
use shape 37.
If R is greater
than 200mm,
see note 2 to
clause 10 BS
4466 1989.
Shape Code Shape Code
34 61
A+n 12(A+B)+12d
Where the Neither A nor
overall B are to be less
dimension of than 12d or
the bob is 150mm,
critical, use whichever is
shape code the greater, for
37. grade 460 in
sizes not
exceeding 20
mm nor less
than 14d for
sizes of 25mm
and over.
Neither A nor
B are to be less
than 10d for
grade 250 with
a minimum
value of A and
 B of 100mm.
See note 3.
Shape Code Shape Code
35 62
A+2n A+(C)
Where the If angle with
overall horizontal is
dimension of 45° or less.
either See note 4.
bob is
critical, do
not use this
shape code.
Shape Code Shape Code
37 82
A+(B)-½r-d 2A+3B+18d
This formula If B is greater
is than 400+2d,
approximate. see note 2 to
Where r is clause 10 BS
greater than 4466 1989.
the minimum See note 3
value in table
3 BS 4466
1989, use
shape code
51.
Shape Code
38
A+B+(C)-r-
2d

BS

4466 –

Non
 Preferred

Shapes

Method of measurement of Total length of Method of measurement of Total length of

bending dimensions. bar (L) bending dimensions. bar (L)
measured measured
along centre along centre
line. line.
Shape Code 39 Shape Code 77
A+0.57B+(C)- 2A+B+20d
1.57d See note 3.
If B is greater
than 400+2d,
see note 2 to
clause 10 BS
4466 1989
Shape Code 42 Shape Code 78
A+B+C+n 2A+B+C+3d
If angle with See note 3.
horizontal is
45° or less.
see note 4.

Shape Code 45 Shape Code 79

A+B+(C)-½r-d 2A+3B+10d
If angle with Neither A nor
horizontal is B shall be less
45° or less. than 12d or
see note 4. 150mm,
whichever is
the greater, for
grade 460 in
sizes not
exceeding
20mm nor less
than 14d for
sizes of 25mm
and over.
Neither A nor
B are to be less
than 10d for
grade 250 with
a minimum
value of A and
 B of 100mm.
See note 3
Shape Code 49 Shape Code 85
A+B+(C) A+B+0.57 C+
If angle with (D)-½r-2.57d
horizontal is If C is greater
45° or less. see than 400+2d
note 4. see note 2 to
clause 10 BS
4466 1989.
Shape Code 52 Shape Code 87
A+B+C+(D)- C⁄B π (A-d)
1½r-3d (L<12m)
Where A is the
external
diameter of
helix (in mm) B
is the pitch of
helix (in mm)C
is the overall
height of helix
(in mm). Where
B is greater
than A/5 the
formula does
not apply.
There shall be
at least two full
turns in the
helix. Note,
unless A is
small relative to
d, this shape is
fabricated in a
closed form and
pulled to shape
on site.
Shape Code 53 Custom Shape Shape Code 99
A+B+C+D+ All other
(E)-2r-4d shapes
To be
calculated
A dimensional
sketch shall be
drawn out over
schedule
columns A to
E. Every
dimension that
is to allow for
 the permissable
deviations shall
be indicated in
parenthesis,
otherwise the
fabricator is
free to choose
which
dimension shall
allow for the
tolerance.
Shape Code 54 Shape Code 55
A+B+(C)-r-2d A+B+C+D+
(E)-2r-4d

Shape Code 65
A
These bars will
be supplied
straight when
the radius is
greater than
that given in
table 5 of BS
4466 1989.

Notes

Note 1. r indicates the minimum value in the table 3 BS 4466 1989

Note 2. The dimensions in parenthesis are the free dimensions

Note 3. To avoid separate equations for each steel grade and bending radius, simplified total
length formulae are used for shape codes 61, 77, 78, 79 and 82. These formulae are
necessarily approximate.

Note 4. The length formula is approximate and when bending angles exceed 45° the length
should be calculated more accurately allowing for the difference between the specified
overall dimensions and the true length measured along the central axis of the bar or wire.
When the bending angles approach 90°, it is preferable to specify shape code 99 with a fully
dimensional sketch.
 BAR MASS per linear metre (kg/m) :-
50mm: 15.413kg/m 40mm: 9.864kg/m 32mm: 6.313kg/m 25mm: 3.854kg/m
16mm: 1.579kg/m 12mm: 0.888kg/m 10mm: 0.616kg/m 8mm: 0.395kg/m

Table 3. Minimum former radii, bend and hook allowances

Bar Size Grade 250 bars complying with Bar Size Grade 460 bars complying with Fabric Sheet
the requirements of BS 4449 the requirements of BS 4449 Size the re
(type and grade R) and BS 6744 (type and grade T) and BS 6744 stand
type S type S
d r+ n h d r+ n h d r+
6†‡ 12 100 100 6†‡ 18 100 100 5 15
8 16 100 100 8 24 100 100 6 18
10 20 100 100 10 30 100 110 7 21
12 24 100 110 12 36 100 140 8 24
16 32 100 150 16 48 100 180 9 27
20‡ 40 100 180 20‡ 60 110 220 10 30
25‡ 50 130 230 25‡ 100 180 350 12 36
32‡ 64 160 290 32‡ 128 230 450
40‡ 80 200 360 40‡ 160 280 560
50‡ 100 250 450 50‡ 200 350 700

**The use of hooks as end anchorages is not normally necessary with deformed bars.† It
should be borne in mind that special precautions such as reducing the speed of bending or
increasing the radius of bending may necessary in cold weather. For bending and rebending
on site refer to BS 8110.
‡ Non-preferred size for grade 250 bars.

• Non-preferred size for grade 460 bars.

NOTE: These radii are the minimum radii of the formers for material complying with the
relevant British standard. Certain design situations may call for larger radii and for these the
recommendations in BS 8100 should be followed.

Radius of

bend

ing:-

aximum

values

requiring

bendin

Bar Size 6 8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40
Radius 2.5 2.75 3.5 4.25 7.5 14 30 43 58
(m)

N.B. Bars to be formed to a radius exceeding the above dimensions will be supplied straight.