To ensure public safety, protect consumer rights and eliminate controversy, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has announced the CNS 15560 "Test methods of mechanical splice for steel reinforcing bars". The standard is based on the ASTM standard and has taken into consideration domestic practices.
Steel reinforced bar is the most common construction material and its quality concerns the safety of buildings. The use of steel bars is of great importance to Taiwan because it is located in a seismically active zone. Although buildings are growing higher and higher and bridges longer and longer, bars are still assembled at construction sites due to transport regulations. However, traditional methods of joining have disadvantages such as difficulty in concrete pouring and rebar laying. The quality of joining steel bars is also hard to control in the case of welding. As coupler, coupling sleeve and mechanical splice technology can overcome the aforementioned limitations, they are widely used in Taiwan's construction industry.
Despite the popularity of mechanical splice, there has yet to be a set of methods to test its performance. Controversies often arise because of the lack of a testing mechanism to ensure the quality of the joined bars.
The CNS 15560 specifies complete test methods for mechanical splice, including tension testing, compression testing, high cycle fatigue tests and sliding tests. According to the reinforcement in the concrete beams, architects are informed of the bearing forces (such as tension, compression and loading during earthquake) and can choose appropriate test methods to ensure quality of the joined steel bars.
For more information, please visit CNS Online Service at www.cnsonline.com.tw.
Agency in charge: Department of Standards (First Division)
Contact person: Miss HSIAO-CHING WENG
Telephone:(02)3343-5150