Deformed bars (rebar) are the steel skeleton inside reinforced concrete. Picking the right size matters for strength and for your budget. This guide explains what the codes mean and where each size is typically used.
What do “Y10” or “Y12” mean?
The letter Y refers to high-yield deformed steel bars, and the number is the bar’s nominal diameter in millimetres. So a Y12 bar is about 12 mm thick. The raised ribs along the bar help it grip the concrete so the two work together.
Typical uses by size
- Y8 and Y10 — lighter work such as slabs, stirrups and links.
- Y12 and Y16 — common choices for beams, columns, footings and foundations in houses and small buildings.
- Y20 and Y25 — heavier structural members in larger buildings and commercial projects.
These are general patterns only. The correct bar size, spacing and quantity always come from your engineer’s or architect’s drawings — never reduce bar sizes to save money.
Buying tips
- Bring your bar schedule or drawings when you ask for a quote — it makes ordering fast and accurate.
- Check that bars are straight, clean and free from heavy flaking rust before use.
- Store bars off the ground and covered until you use them.
Deformed bars at Shanju
Shanju supplies Y8, Y10, Y12, Y16, Y20 and Y25 deformed bars in 12 m lengths from our Lusaka yard, with delivery across Zambia. Send us your bar schedule on WhatsApp for a quote.