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BS 4466 - Measurement of bending dimensions - 1989
In April 2000 a new British Standard the 'Specification for scheduling, dimensioning, bending and cutting of steel
reinforcement for concrete' was introduced; BS 8666 displacing BS 4466, the previous standard described here for
reference purposes.
Use the links below for quick navigation around this page.

BS 4466 - Measurement of bending dimensions - 1989

Preferred Shapes

Non-Preferred Shapes

BS 4466 Notes

Bar Mass Data Table

Minimum former radii, bend and hook allowances
BS 4466 - Preferred Shapes
Method of measurement of
bending dimensions
Total length of bar
(L) measured along
centre line
Shape
Code
20
A
Shape
Code
32
A+h
Shape
Code
33
A+2h
Shape
Code
34
A+n
Where the overall
dimension of the bob
Method of measurement of
bending dimensions
Total length of bar
(L) measured along
centre line
Shape
Code
41
If angles with the
horizontal are 45 or
less:
A+B+(C)
see note 4.
Shape
Code
43
If angles with the
horizontal are 45 or
less:
A+2B+C+(E)
see note 4.
Shape
Code
51
A+(B)-R-d
This formula is
approximate, if R is
minimum, use shape
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is critical, use shape
code 37.
Shape
Code
35
A+2n
Where the overall
dimension of either
bob is critical, do not
use this shape code.
Shape
Code
37
A+(B)-r-d
This formula is
approximate. Where r
is greater than the
minimum value in table
3 BS 4466 1989, use
shape code 51.
Shape
Code
38
A+B+(C)-r-2d
37. If R is greater than
200mm, see note 2 to
clause 10 BS 4466
1989.
Shape
Code
61
2(A+B)+12d
Neither A nor B are to
be less than 12d or
150mm, whichever is
the greater, for 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
62
If angle with horizontal
is 45 or less.
A+(C)
See note 4.
Shape
Code
82
2A+3B+18d
If B is greater than
400+2d, see note 2 to
clause 10 BS 4466
1989.
See note 3
Notes:
for the BS 4466 notes - click here
BS 4466 - Quick Navigation go back
BS 4466 - Non-Preferred Shapes
Method of measurement of
bending dimensions
Total length of bar
(L) measured along
centre line
Shape
Code
39
A+0.57B+(C)-1.57d
If B is greater than
400+2d, see note 2 to
clause 10 BS 4466
1989
Shape
Code
42
If angle with horizontal
is 45 or less.
A+B+C+n
See note 4.
Method of measurement of
bending dimensions
Total length of bar
(L) measured along
centre line
Shape
Code
77
2A+B+20d
See note 3
Shape
Code
78
2A+B+C+3d
See note 3
Shape
Code
79
2A+3B+10d
Neither A nor B shall
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Shape
Code
45
If angle with horizontal
is 45 or less.
A+B+(C)-r-d
See note 4.
Shape
Code
49
If angle with horizontal
is 45 or less.
A+B+(C)
See note 4.
Shape
Code
52
A+B+C+(D)-1r-3d
Shape
Code
53
A+B+C+D+(E)-2r-
4d
Shape
Code
54
A+B+(C)-r-2d
Shape
Code
55
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
be less than 12d or
150mm, whichever is
the greater, for grade
460 in sizes not
exceeding 20mm not
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
85
A+B+0.57C+(D)-
r-2.57d
If C is greater than
400+2d see note 2 to
clause 10 BS 4466
1989
Shape
Code
87
where B is not greater
than A/5.
CB (A-d) (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
99
All other 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. If a shape that is given in this
table or in table 1 BS 4466 1989 is required but a
different dimension is to allow for the permissable
deviations, the shape code 99 & the free dimension
shall be indicated in parenthesis. The tolerances given
in table 4 BS 4466 1989 also apply.
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Notes:
1. r indicates the minimum value in the table 3 BS 4466
1989
2. The dimensions in parenthesis are the free dimensions
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.
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/m40mm: 9.864kg/m 32mm: 6.313kg/m 25mm: 3.854kg/m 20mm: 2.466kg/m
16mm: 1.579kg/m12mm: 0.888kg/m 10mm: 0.616kg/m 8mm: 0.395kg/m 6mm: 0.222kg/m
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Minimum former radii, bend and hook allowances
Bar
Size
Grade 250 bars complying with
the requirements of BS 4449 (type
and grade R) and BS 6744 type S
d r n h
6 12 100 100
8 16 100 100
10 20 100 100
12 24 100 110
16 32 100 150
20 40 100 180
25 50 130 230
32 64 160 290
40 80 200 360
50 100 250 450
Bar
Size
Grade 460 bars complying with the
requirements of BS 4449 (type and
grade T) and BS 6744 type S
d r n h
6 18 100 100
8 24 100 100
10 30 100 110
12 36 100 140
16 48 100 180
20 60 110 220
25 100 180 350
32 128 230 450
40 160 280 560
50 200 350 700
Fabric
Size
Sheet Fabric complying with the
requirements of BS 4483
standard size 4.8m x 2.4m
d r n h
5 15 100 100
6 18 100 100
7 21 100 100
8 24 100 100
9 27 120 135
10 30 120 135
12 36 130 145



**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 bending:- maximum values requiring bending
Bar Size 6 8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40
Radius (m) 2.5 2.75 3.5 4.25 7.5 14 30 43 58
N.B. Bars to be formed to a radius exceeding the above
see clause 8 BS 4466 1989
for definition of y.
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dimensions will be supplied straight.
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K B Rebar Limited, Unit 5, Dobson Park Industrial Estate, Dobson Park Way, Ince, Wigan WN2 2DY.