STEEL

STRUCTURE
THEORY OF STRUCTURE- IV (AP-222)
 STEEL
• Metals are widely used in construction field.
• Out of the various metals iron is the most popular one
• Based on the carbon content in iron, it can be classified into 3 as
Carbon Content in Iron
Wrought iron Does not exceed 0.15%
Steel Below 0.25% to 1.50% maxi
Cast-iron (pig iron) 2 to 4%
• Based on the carbon content in steel, it can be classified into 3 as
Name of steel Carbon Content in Steel
Very low carbon steel(dead < 0.1%
steel)
Mild steel Up to 0.25 %
Medium carbon Steel 0.25 – 0.7 %
High carbon Steel (hard steel) 0.7 – 1.5%
 NOTE 1
•Dividing line of cast-iron & steel is the presence of free graphite
•If carbon content > 1.5%, it does not combine with iron & it is present as free
graphite
•If there is no free graphite in the composition of a material, it is said to
be steel
•On the other hand, the presence of free graphite indicate that the material is cast-
iron

NOTE 2
•If a drop of nitric acid is placed on steel, it will produce a dark grey strain due to
the presence of higher carbon content
•If the same procedure is carried out on wrought-iron, the strain will not be
appreciable
•Thus a mild steel & wrought iron can be easily distinguished
 Uses of Steel
• Cast iron is granular and can take up only compressive stress and hence it is use
is compressive members.
• Wrought iron is fibrous in nature and it is suitable to resist tensile stresses.
• Steel is strong in compression and tension hence it is suitable for all construction
works
• Steels are highly elastic, ductile , malleable and weldable
• They can be hardened and tempered and are fusible at a low temperature than
wrought iron
• They retain magnetic properties as iron
Fractured
Cast Iron

Fractured
Wrought Iron
 Types of Steel Properties Uses

Soft and malleable

For making motor body, sheet metal,
steel is used for
Mild Steel boiler plates, tin plates, structural steel
rolling into thin
etc
sheets

Very soft and ductile

Medium Carbon For making springs, tyres, stamping and
steel used for drawing
Steel pressing dies, rails
into wires

Very hard and brittle For making chisels, hammers, saw,

High Carbon
steel used for making smithy tools, stone mason’s tool, axes,
Steel
tools drills, knives
 Properties of mild steel & hard steel
Mild Steel Hard Steel
Tougher & elastic than wrought iron Tougher & elastic than mild steel

Can be readily forged & welded Cannot be readily forged & welded

Cannot be easily hardened & tempered Can be easily hardened & tempered

It has fibrous structure It has granular structure

Melting point 1400 C Melting point 1300 C
Specific gravity 7.80 Specific gravity 7.90
Can be magnetised permanently
Not easily attacked by salt water
It rusts easily and rapidly
 STEEL REINFORCEMENT/REBARS

Steel reinforcement are steel bars that are provided in combination

with plain cement concrete to make it reinforced concrete. Hence these
structures form steel reinforced cement concrete structure (R.C.C).
Steel reinforcement is commonly called as ‘rebars’.

Steel reinforcement bars or rebars are used to improve the tensile

strength of the concrete, since concrete is very weak in tension, but is
strong in compression.

Steel is only used as rebar because elongation of steel due to high

temperatures (thermal expansion coefficient) nearly equals to that of
concrete.
 Grades of Rebar in Different Codes
Table 1: Grades of Rebar in Different Codes

American British
Euro Standard(DIN Indian Standard (IS:
Standard (ASTM A Standard BS4449:
488) 1786)
615) 1997

Grade Fe – 415, Fe –
Grade 75 (520) BST 500 S GR 460 A
500, Fe – 500D

Grade 80 (550) BST 500 M GR 460 B Grade Fe – 550

 Types of Steel Reinforcement Bars
Major types of steel bars used in the construction are as follows,

1. Mild Steel Bar

The surface of the mild steel bars are plain and round in shape.
They are available in various sizes of 6 mm to 50 mm. 
They are used in concrete for special purposes, such as dowels at
expansion joints, where bars must slide in a metal or paper sleeve, for
contraction joints in roads and runways, and for column spirals.
They are easy to cut and bend without damage.
For structural buildings like bridges and other heavy structures, mild steel
bar is not recommended due to no great bonding between concrete and steel,
slippage and strength.
2. Deformed Steel Bar
Deformed steel bars have ribs, lugs and indentation on the surface of
the bar, which reduces the major problem that is faced by mild steel
bar due to slippage.
Good bonding is achieved between concrete and rebar.
The tensile properties is higher compared to other rebars.
These bars are produced in sections from 6 mm to 50 mm diameter
Types of Deformed Steel Bars

i. TMT Bars (Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars)

Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars are hot treated bars that are high in
strength used in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) work. It is the latest
induction in the MS steel bars with superior properties such as strength,
ductility, welding ability, bending ability and highest quality standards at
international level.
Characteristics of TMT Rebars

Better ductility and malleability

High yield strength and toughness
More bonding strength
Earthquake resistance
Corrosion resistance
High thermal resistance
Economical and safe in use
No loss in strength at welded joints
Ordinary electrodes used for welding the joints
ii. High Strength Deformed Bars
High strength deformed bars are cold twisted steel bars with lugs,
ribs, projection or deformation on the surface. It the extensively and
majorly used for reinforcement purposes in a construction. These bars
are produced in sizes or sections from 4 mm to 50 mm in diameter.
Characteristics of HSD Rebar
Low carbon value – HSD Bars have lower carbon level, resulting in
good ductility, strength and welding ability.
Superior bonding strength – HSD bars are well known for their
excellent bonding strength when used with concrete.
Welding capability – Since these bars have lower carbon content,
they have 100% welding capability than conventional bars.
High tensile strength – HSD bars feature high tensile strength. They
offer great asset in construction process, where a lot of bending and re
bending is required.
Wide application range – These bars have wide application range
like in building residential, commercial and industrial structures,
bridges, etc.
Satisfactorily malleability – Minimum weight and maximum
strength and suitable for both compression and tension reinforcement.
The grades are important in determining the strength of the reinforced steel bars.
As I mentioned the different grades above, there are different numbers for each
grade like Fe 415, Fe 500 etc. These are not just numbers. They denote the yield
strength of the particular rebar. Alright, what is this yield strength?
It is defined as the stress at which the reinforced bar starts to exhibit plastic
deformation. Therefore, the higher the numbers, the higher the yield strength. The
construction of structures depends on the type of grade. Now let us see the
characteristics of each grade and how does it help in the construction of structures.
Classification
In TMT steel reinforced bar, even though the tensile strength is important, an
equally important factor is its ductility ratio. Ductility is what defines the ability of
the steel bar to handle forces more effectively. More ductile the bar is, more
capable it becomes in handling stress. In order to achieve higher tensile strength,
changes are made during the Quenching process, which results in less ductility or
brittleness of the reinforced steel bar. The TMT steel reinforced bars consist of the
following grades namely:
Fe-415: The TMT steel reinforced bars started with this grade. It is often
described as the true reinforced steel. Well, there’s a reason for that. It has a
yield strength of 415 N/mm² and ultimate tensile strength of 485 N/mm² and
a percent elongation of 14.5%. Here percent elongation is as the measure of
ductility Fe 415 is the only grade that has the optimum tensile strength and
ductility ratio, making it recommended for building homes. Also, the cost of
Fe 415 grade steel is lower than it’s higher counterparts which makes it
economically feasible for the common people.
Fe-500: A higher TMT steel rebar version of the Fe 415 steel. Fe 500 has a
yield strength of 500 N/mm² and ultimate tensile strength of 545 N/mm²,
which is superior to the Fe 415 grade. Due to it’s higher tensile strength, it
requires less number of bars which results in approximately 17% lesser
consumption of steel in construction. However, it has a percent elongation of
12%. This is because the grade is less ductile than Fe 415 grade. Mainly Fe
500 is used for the construction of structures that demand more strength such
as bridges, large buildings etc.
Fe-550: A technologically advanced and higher variation of the grades Fe 415 and
Fe 500. This grade has higher tensile strength than its predecessor Fe 500, with a
yield strength of 550 N/mm² and ultimate tensile strength of 585 N/mm². It is
primarily preferred for RCC structures that require huge tensile strength such as
skyscrapers, large bridges etc. Even though it has superior tensile strength, the
rebar is more brittle than it’s predecessors, with a percent elongation of 10%, and
also it is expensive which makes it economically infeasible for the common man.

Fe-600: These grade TMT Bars were introduced which further increased the tensile
strength than its predecessors. With its superior tensile strength, the consumption
of these steel rebars in the construction projects significantly got reduced and load-
bearing capabilities of these bars were increased. It has a yield strength of 600
N/mm² and ultimate tensile strength of 660 N/mm². Similar to its predecessors Fe
500 and Fe 550, it is used for the construction of structures requiring huge tensile
strength. However, it is more brittle, with a percent elongation of 10%. Also, due to
high costs, Fe 600 is not used commonly as others.
Conclusion
One thing that we can say is that in terms of tensile strength, higher is
the better which means Fe 600 is the strongest but, the tensile strength
is not the only factor to consider such as ductility, cost etc. Therefore,
for the common man, the recommended steel grade for constructing
homes is Fe 415. What makes Fe 415 distinct from others is its
uncompromised ductility ratio and lower cost.
ADVANTAGES OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT
Steel reinforcement is a reinforcing choice compared to other reinforcing materials
due to its unique advantages. They are:
Compatibility with Concrete: The fresh concrete is placed on the formwork mold
already prepared with reinforcement. The steel reinforcement won’t float in
concrete during the concrete placing procedure. Hence, steel reinforcement does
not demand special tying up with formworks.
Robustness of Steel Reinforcement: The steel bars are robust in nature that they
have the ability to withstand the rigors, the wear and tear during the construction
activities.
Bent Property of Steel Reinforcement: The steel bars once manufactured to
standard size, it can be bent to the required specifications. Hence fabricated steel
bars are delivered easily at the site.
Recycling Property: The steel reinforced left over after the service life of a
structure is recycled again and used for new construction.
Easily Available: Every region of a country will have a steel supplier or
manufacturer. Hence steel reinforcement is easily available.
DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT

The main disadvantages of steel reinforcement are mentioned below:

Reactive Nature of Steel Reinforcement: In concrete structures where the

cover is small and subjected to external moisture and salt action, the
reinforcement undergoes reaction and starts to corrode. These can lessen the
strength of concrete and finally to failure.

Expensive: The cost of steel reinforcement in high. This will increase the
cost of construction

Melts at high temperature: At higher temperatures, the steel

reinforcement may melt. This is the reason why the steel reinforcement are
tied up and not welded.