Behind every soaring skyscraper, every cross-continental transportation corridor, and every piece of critical national infrastructure lies an invisible network of steel—reinforcement bars that carry the weight, strength, and safety of modern civilization.
And at the heart of these reinforcement systems are mechanical rebar couplers, the “joints” that ensure steel continuity and guarantee structural reliability.

In the global engineering community, one standard has become a universal benchmark for evaluating the safety and performance of mechanical rebar splicing systems: SS ISO 15835-1:2020.
GLUS not only meets this standard—but has built an entire engineering philosophy on it, delivering internationally compliant rebar connection solutions for major projects across Singapore, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

This article explains what SS ISO 15835-1:2020 truly represents, how it is tested, why it is globally recognized

What Is SS ISO 15835-1:2020?

The International Language of Safe Mechanical Rebar Splicing

SS ISO 15835-1:2020 is Singapore’s national adoption of the global mechanical splice standard ISO 15835-1.
It is not a British Standard—but a globally recognized, internationally harmonized technical framework that defines how mechanical couplers should be designed, tested, and validated for structural safety.

This standard establishes a comprehensive set of engineering requirements governing how two reinforcing bars must behave when joined by a coupler. Specifically, it defines:

1. Tensile Strength Requirements

Mechanical splices must achieve tensile performance at least equal to the characteristic yield strength of the reinforcement rebar.
The standard requires compliance with:

• ReH × (Rm / ReH) ratio, based on the bar’s mill certificate

• A minimum elongation at maximum force (Agt ≥ 3.5%)

• Stable load transfer without premature failure

This ensures the splice is as strong—or stronger—than the bars themselves.

2. Slip Limits at 0.6 ReH (Service-Load Condition)

The slip (relative displacement between two joined bars) is strictly controlled:

• Median slip ≤ 0.10 mm

• Outlier slip ≤ 0.15 mm

• If the coupler length exceeds 100 mm, a slightly higher slip may be accepted (as noted in the standard’s Figure 1 and Clause 5.4.2).

These values ensure structural stiffness, long-term serviceability, and safe load behavior.

3. Standardized Test Methodology

SS ISO 15835-1:2020 specifies:

• Gauge length (Lg) for slip measurement

• Coupler length requirements

• Test loading protocol at 0.6 ReH

• Measurement of maximum load (P)

• Failure mode evaluation (splice vs. bar failure)

4. Acceptance Rules (Simple Acceptance Decision Rule)

SETSCO uses the “Simple Acceptance” decision rule, meaning:

• Products either fully meet the standard

• Or they fail—no partial compliance

This provides clear, uncompromised quality assurance.

Where Is SS ISO 15835-1:2020 Recognized Globally?

Because it is based directly on ISO 15835, this standard is accepted in engineering projects across:

Southeast Asia

Singapore (official national standard), Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam.

Middle East & Gulf Region

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain—regions where international ISO-based specifications are widely used for mega-projects.

Africa

Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt—countries whose building codes routinely accept ISO-compliant couplers.

South Asia

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka—markets where ISO 15835 is often explicitly stated in project tenders.

International Consultants & EPC Contractors

Global engineering firms from the UK, Europe, the US, Japan, and Korea frequently accept ISO-based mechanical splice certification for cross-border projects.

In short, SS ISO 15835-1:2020 acts as a “global passport” for coupler products, enabling acceptance in hundreds of international projects without modification.

GLUS: Engineering Excellence Built on SS ISO 15835-1:2020

At GLUS, we believe that building global-grade infrastructure requires more than promises—it requires standards, science, and proof.

SS ISO 15835-1:2020 is not just a compliance target for us.
It is the foundation of our:

1. Technical Precision and Material Excellence

Couplers engineered to meet this standard must demonstrate:

• High-precision machining

• Uniform thread and geometry control

• Stable deformation characteristics

• Superior steel quality and heat-treatment consistency

GLUS achieves all of the above through advanced manufacturing systems and stringent quality controls.

2. Real-World Validation Through Global Projects

GLUS couplers are already widely used in:

• Singapore commercial and residential high-rise projects

• Philippines infrastructure and real estate developments

• Southeast Asian transport, energy, and public works

• Middle Eastern and African engineering projects involving international consultants

Every certified product has been proven both in the laboratory and on the construction site.

If You Need a World-Class Rebar Connection Solution—GLUS Delivers

Whether your project is in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, or anywhere in the world, GLUS provides:

• SS ISO 15835-1:2020-certified mechanical couplers

• Competitive country-specific pricing

• Technical design support

• Full project-based guidance and documentation

• Globally comparable quality, tested and verified

GLUS is ready to be the backbone of your next great project.