Side-by-Side Comparison
Structural & HVAC
Rebar Sizes vs. Structural Steel Shapes
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Rebar Sizes
Structural Steel Shapes
Standard reinforcing steel bar (rebar) sizes under ASTM A615 are designated by number sizes #3 through #18 representing the nominal diameter in eighths of an inch (e.g. #4 rebar = 4/8" = 1/2" / 12.7 mm diameter, weighing 0.668 lb/ft).
AISC structural steel profiles standardize hot-rolled structural members including Wide Flange I-Beams (W-Shapes e.g. W8×10 = 8" nominal depth, 10 lb/ft), American Standard Beams (S-Shapes), Channels (C-Shapes), Hollow Structural Sections (HSS), and Angles (L-Shapes).
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
ASTM A615 / ASTM A706 (Earthquake grade) / CSA G30.18 | AISC 360 / ASTM A6/A6M / ASTM A992 (Grade 50 steel) |
|
US Numbering System
|
Rebar number = diameter in 1/8ths of an inch (e.g. #5 = 5/8" / 15.875 mm) | — |
|
#3 Rebar (Driveway / Patio Mesh)
|
Dia: 0.375 in (9.525 mm) | Area: 0.11 sq in | Weight: 0.376 lb/ft (0.560 kg/m) | — |
|
#4 Rebar (Residential Footings / Walls)
|
Dia: 0.500 in (12.70 mm) | Area: 0.20 sq in | Weight: 0.668 lb/ft (0.994 kg/m) | — |
|
#5 Rebar (Structural Slabs / Foundation)
|
Dia: 0.625 in (15.88 mm) | Area: 0.31 sq in | Weight: 1.043 lb/ft (1.552 kg/m) | — |
|
#6 Rebar (Retaining Walls / Beams)
|
Dia: 0.750 in (19.05 mm) | Area: 0.44 sq in | Weight: 1.502 lb/ft (2.235 kg/m) | — |
|
#8 Rebar (Commercial Columns)
|
Dia: 1.000 in (25.40 mm) | Area: 0.79 sq in | Weight: 2.670 lb/ft (3.973 kg/m) | — |
|
#18 Rebar (High-Rise Core Columns / Dams)
|
Dia: 2.257 in (57.33 mm) | Area: 4.00 sq in | Weight: 13.60 lb/ft (20.24 kg/m) | — |
|
Standard Steel Grades
|
Grade 40 (40 ksi / 280 MPa), Grade 60 (60 ksi / 420 MPa), Grade 75 (75 ksi / 520 MPa) | — |
|
W-Shape Designation Code
|
— | W [Nominal Depth in Inches] × [Weight in Pounds per Linear Foot] |
|
W8 × 10 (Residential Light Beam)
|
— | Depth: 7.89 in (200 mm) | Flange Width: 3.94 in | Weight: 10.0 lb/ft | Area: 2.96 sq in |
|
W8 × 18 (Standard Basement Beam)
|
— | Depth: 8.14 in (207 mm) | Flange Width: 5.25 in | Weight: 18.0 lb/ft | Area: 5.26 sq in |
|
W10 × 22 (Common Floor Girder)
|
— | Depth: 10.17 in (258 mm) | Flange Width: 5.75 in | Weight: 22.0 lb/ft | Area: 6.49 sq in |
|
W12 × 26 (Heavy Residential / Light Comm)
|
— | Depth: 12.22 in (310 mm) | Flange Width: 6.49 in | Weight: 26.0 lb/ft | Area: 7.65 sq in |
|
HSS (Hollow Structural Sections)
|
— | Square & Rectangular structural tubing e.g. HSS 4×4×1/4 (4" sq, 0.25" wall, 12.21 lb/ft) |
|
Equal Leg Angle (L-Shape)
|
— | L [Leg 1] × [Leg 2] × [Thickness] e.g. L 3×3×1/4 (Lintel / Bracing) |