LEADS to congestion of bars which ADVERSELY affects the placement and compaction of concrete.CI. 26.5.1 of IS 456:2000 limits the maximum area of steel reinforcement in tension (Astmax) and COMPRESSION (Ascmax) to 4% of gross area i.e. 0.04bD. Some other provision is given by IS 456:The MINIMUM area of tensile reinforcement = Astbd=0.85fy" id="MathJax-Element-11-Frame" role="presentation" style="display: inline; position: relative;" tabindex="0">Astbd=0.85fyAstbd=0.85fyNominal cover = 25 mmUltimate tensile strain in steel is in the range of = 0.12% to 0.2%