Different Types of Steel Bars Used in Construction: Features and Applications

In this article, you will learn about the different types of steel bars used in construction with their features and applications. Let's continue to know that.

Right after the deployment of techniques and state-of-the-art technology in the building and construction sector, we have seen many changes in building materials which are making them better and better. Similar to other materials, these cutting edge technologies provide so many different types of steel bars used in construction.

The project managers, builders or contractors have so many options to choose the right steel bars for their projects. A little knowledge about what type of steel bar works best for specific needs can solve that problem.

Different Types of Steel Bars Used in Construction

There are so many types of steel bar are available in the market. The list includes:

1. Mild Steel Bars
2. HYSD Bars
3. Hot Rolled Deformed Bars
4. Cold Rolled Steel Bars
5. TMT Bars
6. TMX Bars
7. CRS Bars
8. EQR Bars
9. SD Bars
10. Twisted Steel Bars
11. TOR Steel Bars
12. HSLA Bars

Each type of steel bars has some unique characteristics and specific uses. Read about them one by one in below sections. To learn about the features and applications of steel bars of different categories will also be very helpful.

1. Mild Steel Bars

Mild Steel bar aka MS bar is one of the simplest types of steel bars. This bar comes with plain outer surface and in round shape. It has low-carbon content. MS bars show poor bonding with concrete when compared to ribbed bars.

Features of MS Bars

MS bars do not have any rib pattern on it's outer surface. These bars come with plain outer surface and in round shape. They have better ductility, so can be cut and bend easily without damage. This type of steel bars is cheaper than other types of steel bars. Mild steel bars have low tensile strength around 275 MPa (Mega Pascal). MS bars are available in various sizes of 6mm to 50mm.

Applications of MS Bars

Due to the plain surface, mild steel bars do not bond well with concrete so their usage is limited in construction. MS bars are used in economical and small projects which do not require a lot of steel strength. These steel bars are used for dowels on column spirals, expansion joints and contraction joints in roads and also for beam and slabs in RCC.

2. HYSD Bars

Full Form of HYSD Bars: High Yielding Strength Deformed Bars.
HYSD bars are a type of ribbed steel bars having higher tensile strength when compared to mild steel bar. These steel bars are manufactured by the heat treatment process and are cold-twisted (CTD) at the process before molding into the required shape.

Features of HYSD Bars

HYSD steel bars have low carbon content, resulting in good weldability, ductility, high strength and high corrosion resistance when compared to MS bars. HYSD bars have lugs, rib pattern and deformation on outer surface and therefore show better bonding with concrete. These bars have high tensile strength and satisfactorily malleability.

Applications of HYSD Bars

HYSD bars can be used in RCC for beam, slabs and columns.

3. Hot Rolled Deformed Bars

Hot-rolled deformed bars are one of the most common types of reinforced steel bars used in RCC structures. These bars are manufactured by hot rolling process.

Features of Hot Rolled Deformed Bars

Hot-rolled deformed bars have rib and deformation on surface. These bars have high tensile strength (about 415 MPa). These steel bars provide great strength to the building construction.

Applications of Hot Rolled Deformed Bars

Hot-rolled deformed bars are suitable for almost all kinds of constructions including RCC structure.

4. Cold Rolled Steel Bars

Cold Rolled Steel bars are another type of reinforced steel bars that are manufactured by hot rolling process but after then the steel bars are re-rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities. In the cold rolling process the bars will undergo twisting and drawing, which leads to a reduction in the ductility of the steel bars.

Features of Cold Rolled Steel Bars

Cold Rolled Steel bars looks similar as Hot Rolled Steel bars but have lower strength. These steel bars have well-defined edges and corners, and more finished and smooth surfaces.

Applications of Cold Rolled Steel Bars

Due to less tensile strength, yield strength, ductility and toughness; cold rolled steel bars are used for some construction projects that does not need much tolerance.

5. TMT Bars

Full Form of TMT Bars: Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars.
The most popular type of steel bars in modern-day building construction is Thermo Mechanically Treated Bar aka TMT Bar. These bars are manufactured with state-of-the-art technology called “Thermo Mechanical Treatment”. These bars are available in various sizes of 4mm to 50mm. There are different grades of TMT bars having varied features and strength.

Features of TMT Bars

TMT bars have combination of many features and properties that other steel bars do not. TMT bars have unmatched tensile strength and yield strength, excellent ductility, bendability and weldability, high corrosion resistance, thermal resistance and earthquake resistance. These bars are lightweight and easy to assemble. The most unique feature of TMT bar is that its has tempered outer surface with soft inner core. All TMT bars come with unique rib pattern on outer surface and therefore have a great bonding with concrete.

Applications of TMT Bars

TMT bars have superior quality when compared to HYSD bars and preferred for using in all types of RCC construction works.

6. TMX Bars

Full Form of TMX Bars: Thermax steel Bars.
TMX bars is a type of ribbed steel bars that are manufactured using German technology called “Thermax Technology”.

Features of TMX Bars

TMX bars are superior to TMT bars in all the features like tensile strength, ductility, weldability, bendability, etc. TMX bars have high elongation index that provides better resistance over earthquake and other natural hazards compared to the TMT bars. These bars have very high thermal resistance that prevents the building during fire hazards.

Applications of TMX Bars

Due to the superior quality, TMX bars are used in all types of construction worldwide. In particular, these bars are ideal for construction in earthquake prone areas and areas with high temperatures.

7. CRS Bars

Full Form of CRS Bars: Corrosion Resistant Steel Bars.
CRS bar is a type of TMT bars having higher corrosion resistance than normal TMT bars. These bars have a small percentage of chromium, copper, and phosphorous that increases the anti-corrosion property of bars.

Features of CRS Bars

CRS bars have all the qualities of TMT bars. Apart from this, CRS bars higher corrosion resistant.

Applications of CRS Bars

CRS bars can be used in all types of RCC construction specially in moist environment. Since these types of bars are costlier than normal TMT bars, they are ideally preferred for dams, bridges and other construction works near coastal areas.

8. EQR Bars

Full Form of EQR Bars: Earthquake Resistance Bars.
EQR bar is also a form of TMT bars having higher earthquake resistance.

Features of EQR Bars

EQR bars have all the qualities of TMT bars. Apart from this, EQR bars have higher elongation and narrow range of yield strength and therefore high range of earthquake resistance. These bars protect the building structure from earthquakes and other natural hazards.

Applications of EQR Bars

EQR bars are ideally preferred for building RCC construction in earthquake prone zone.

9. SD Bars

Full Form of SD Bars: Super Ductile Bars.
SD bar is also a form of TMT bars that are superior in ductility. It has high elongation and high utilisation.

Features of SD Bars

SD bars have all the qualities of TMT bars and are superior in elongation (18-24 %) and UTS/YS ratio (1.15). These bars have high energy absorption capacity. These steel bars provide you with more vacation time to avoid earthquakes and other natural hazards.

Applications of SD Bars

Similar to EQR bars, SD bars are also ideally preferred for building RCC construction in earthquake prone zone.

10. Twisted Steel Bars

Twisted Steel Bars are also known as Prestressing tendons. These are contained various wires right around 7 wires spun together into a strand. Twisted Steel Bar carries high tensile strength up to 1860 MPa (N/mm²).

Features of Twisted Steel Bars

Twisted Steel bars have high tensile strength up to 1860 MPa (N/mm²). Twisted steel bars accompany the correct mix of strength and flexibility. This lengthening assists in protecting any building structure from earthquakes.

Applications of Twisted Steel Bars

Twisted steel bars are commonly used in RCC structures for beams, columns and slabs to help support the weight of the structure and resist the forces of tension and compression.

11. TOR Steel Bars

TOR stands for a brand name, Toriseg Steel Corporation of Luxembourg. TOR Steel bars are a form of HYSD (High Yielding Strength Deformed) bars that undergoes cold twisting and deformation after the mandatory heat treatment process. During the time period of 90s, TOR steel bars were primarily used for reinforcement purpose in constructions massively.

Features of TOR Steel Bars

TOR Steel bars have higher yield strength and deformations on the surface. The deformation impart higher bondage between concrete and steel.

Applications of TOR Steel Bars

TOR steel bars can be used in almost all types of construction of RCC structures.

12. HSLA Bars

Full Form of HSLA Bars: High Strength Low Alloy Bars.
HSLA bars are also named micro-alloy steel bars that contains alloy elements like nickel, tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum, silicon, etc. in a minor percentage to increase the strength and hardness of carbon steel.

Features of HSLA Bars

HSLA bars have low carbon content, high yield strengths, excellent weldability and formability, and good toughness.

Applications of HSLA Bars

HSLA bars are used in specific construction works like in building oil and gas industry, storage tanks, chemical industry, etc.

Conclusion

These are the types of steel bars used in housing and construction sector. Among these, TMT bars are widely accepted worldwide as reinforcement purpose because of it's quality and excellent combination of mechanical and physical properties.

FAQs on Different Types of Steel Bars Used in Construction

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