ISO 15835-2:2018
(Main)Steels for the reinforcement of concrete - Reinforcement couplers for mechanical splices of bars - Part 2: Test methods
Steels for the reinforcement of concrete - Reinforcement couplers for mechanical splices of bars - Part 2: Test methods
This document specifies test methods applicable to couplers for mechanical splices of steel reinforcing bars. This document is applicable to the various standards for steel reinforcing bars as well as the various reinforced concrete design standards.
Aciers pour l'armature du béton — Coupleurs d'armature destinés aux raboutages mécaniques de barres — Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Oct-2018
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 17/SC 16 - Steels for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete
- Current Stage
- 9092 - International Standard to be revised
- Start Date
- 11-Jun-2025
- Completion Date
- 13-Dec-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 06-Jun-2022
- Effective Date
- 04-Nov-2015
Overview
ISO 15835-2:2018 specifies test methods for reinforcement couplers used in mechanical splices of steel reinforcing bars. It is part of the ISO 15835 series and applies to couplers used across different standards for steel reinforcing bars and reinforced concrete design. The standard defines how to prepare test pieces, required testing equipment, measurement procedures and reporting for tensile, slip, fatigue and low‑cycle loading tests.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Test methods for mechanical splices of steel reinforcing bars; complements ISO 15835-1 (requirements).
- Test types covered:
- Tensile test - strength and ductility per ISO 15630-1; elongation measured outside the splice length.
- Slip test - dual-averaging extensometer arrangement; gauge length between L + 2d and L + 6d; slip evaluation options aligned with ISO 15835-1.
- High-cycle fatigue test - S–N approach and cyclic loading parameters referenced to ISO 15630-1.
- Low-cycle loading test - procedure and gauge-length requirements specified for seismic/ductility verification.
- Test-piece preparation: Assemble couplers exactly as installed in the field using supplier instructions; position coupler centrally on the specimen.
- Measurement and instrumentation:
- Use tensile testing machines and equipment conforming to ISO 15630-1.
- Extensometers per ISO 9513 (class 1 or better); slip devices accurate to at least 0.01 mm.
- Limit pre-load before extensometer attachment (gripping load not to exceed 10 MPa).
- Geometric and environmental requirements: Minimum free lengths for tests (for example tensile test minimum free length = 400 mm + L; slip test minimum = 250 mm + L). Laboratory temperature range is recommended between 10 °C and 30 °C.
- Reporting: Record failure mode/location (inside or outside mechanical splice), slip values, elongation measurements and relevant test parameters.
Applications
ISO 15835-2 is essential for:
- Manufacturers of reinforcement couplers validating product performance and consistency.
- Independent testing laboratories conducting qualification and routine testing.
- Structural and geotechnical engineers verifying splice performance for design acceptance.
- Construction quality assurance and procurement teams needing documented compliance with mechanical splice test methods. Use cases include product development, certification, acceptance testing for seismic and high‑fatigue applications, and forensic testing of spliced reinforcement.
Related Standards
- ISO 15835-1 - Reinforcement couplers: Requirements
- ISO 15630-1 - Test methods for reinforcing bars (tensile and fatigue procedures)
- ISO 9513 - Calibration of extensometer systems
- ISO 6892-1 - Tensile testing of metallic materials
- ISO 16020 - Vocabulary for reinforcing steel
Keywords: ISO 15835-2:2018, reinforcement couplers, mechanical splices, test methods, tensile test, slip test, fatigue test, steel reinforcing bars, coupler testing, extensometer.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 15835-2:2018 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Steels for the reinforcement of concrete - Reinforcement couplers for mechanical splices of bars - Part 2: Test methods". This standard covers: This document specifies test methods applicable to couplers for mechanical splices of steel reinforcing bars. This document is applicable to the various standards for steel reinforcing bars as well as the various reinforced concrete design standards.
This document specifies test methods applicable to couplers for mechanical splices of steel reinforcing bars. This document is applicable to the various standards for steel reinforcing bars as well as the various reinforced concrete design standards.
ISO 15835-2:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.140.15 - Steels for reinforcement of concrete. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 15835-2:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 2063-1:2019, ISO 15835-2:2009. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
You can purchase ISO 15835-2:2018 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of ISO standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15835-2
Second edition
2018-10
Steels for the reinforcement of
concrete — Reinforcement couplers
for mechanical splices of bars —
Part 2:
Test methods
Aciers pour l'armature du béton — Coupleurs d'armature destinés
aux raboutages mécaniques de barres —
Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols . 1
5 Testing of mechanical splices . 2
5.1 General . 2
5.2 Preparation of test pieces . 2
5.3 Tensile test . 3
5.3.1 General. 3
5.3.2 Testing equipment . 3
5.3.3 Test procedure . 3
5.3.4 Failure mode and location . 4
5.4 Slip test . 4
5.4.1 General. 4
5.4.2 Testing equipment . 4
5.4.3 Test procedure . 4
5.4.4 Evaluation of slip under Option 1 as defined in ISO 15835-1 . 5
5.4.5 Evaluation of slip under Option 2 as defined in ISO 15835-1 . 5
5.5 High-cycle fatigue test . 6
5.5.1 Principle of the test . 6
5.5.2 S-N diagram . 6
5.6 Low-cycle loading test . 7
5.7 Identification and marking . 8
6 Test report . 8
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 17, Steel, Subcommittee SC 16, Steels for the
reinforcement and prestressing of concrete.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 15835-2:2009), which has been
technically revised with changes made to Clauses 5 and 6, 5.2, 5.4 and 5.6 and Table 1. The figures have
been revised and renumbered.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 15835 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15835-2:2018(E)
Steels for the reinforcement of concrete — Reinforcement
couplers for mechanical splices of bars —
Part 2:
Test methods
1 Scope
This document specifies test methods applicable to couplers for mechanical splices of steel
reinforcing bars.
This document is applicable to the various standards for steel reinforcing bars as well as the various
reinforced concrete design standards.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 6892-1:2016, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
ISO 9513, Metallic materials — Calibration of extensometer systems used in uniaxial testing
ISO 15630-1, Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete — Test methods — Part 1: Reinforcing
bars, wire rod and wire
ISO 15835-1, Steels for the reinforcement of concrete — Reinforcement couplers for mechanical splices of
bars — Part 1: Requirements
ISO 16020, Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 15835-1 and ISO 16020 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
4 Symbols
Table 1 — Symbols
Symbol Unit Designation
A % Percentage total elongation at maximum tensile force, F
gt max
d mm Nominal diameter of the reinforcing bar
a
E MPa Nominal modulus of elasticity of the reinforcing bar
a 2
1 MPa = 1 N/mm .
Table 1 (continued)
Symbol Unit Designation
L mm Length of mechanical splice as defined in ISO 15835-1
L mm Coupler length
L mm Gauge length for the measurement of slip
g
L mm Gauge length for conducting the low-cycle loading test
N — Specified number of load cycles in high-cycle fatigue test
Specified characteristic (or nominal) yield strength value of the
R MPa
eH, spec
reinforcing bar
ΔL mm Calculated elastic elongation of an unspliced bar
e
Total elongation of the spliced bar measured as elongation of the
ΔL mm
g
gauge length
ΔL mm Slip of the mechanical splice
s
ΔL mm Gauge length extension under load
t
ε % Strain at nominal yield strength
y
2σ MPa Stress range for high-cycle fatigue test
a
σ MPa Upper stress in the axial load fatigue test
max
σ MPa Lower stress in the axial load fatigue test
min
a 2
1 MPa = 1 N/mm .
5 Testing of mechanical splices
5.1 General
The test methods covered by this document are as follows:
a) tensile test (see 5.3);
b) slip test (see 5.4);
c) high-cycle fatigue test (see 5.5);
d) low-cycle loading test (see 5.6).
A reference bar shall always be tested in the case of qualification testing and continuous independent
testing, for each test except the fatigue test. The reference bar shall be taken from the same length of
reinforcing bar as used in the test splice. Where different diameters are used in a splice, the reference
bar shall be taken from the smaller bar diameter of the splice.
For the calculation of stresses, the nominal cross-sectional area of the reinforcing bar shall be used.
For couplers with adjustable length, splices should be tested at their maximum extension in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The temperature in the testing laboratory should be between 10 °C and 30 °C.
5.2 Preparation of test pieces
All tests shall be performed on mechanical splices prepared and assembled in the same manner as they
are prepared for normal use, according to written installation instructions from the supplier of the
coupler. The installation instruction documents for the coupler shall be made avail
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