Also called truss bars. They are still used in bridges in some states. They are very difficult to bend properly and even more difficult to place. I watched fabrication of some 40-60 foot long truss bars. 4-5 guys along the bar, moving in unison to hold the bar as the machine slowly bent the end into shape. It takes a big, empty shop to handle fabrication like this.
The practice is now to use discrete, single-purpose bars in the form of top bars, bottom bar, and ties/stirrups. This results in more steel weight, but significant savings in cost for fabrication and placement. In buildings, the practice of using these bars has all but been abandoned.
There are even crazier configurations shown in the CRSI Vintage Steel Reinforcement book, including concentric hoops, overlapping hoops, and 3-, 4-, and 5-way reinforced slabs.