A guide to the various types of steel bars used for residential construction

Have you ever wondered how your home stands and remains safe and strong? The answer usually can be found in the very core of the construction materials used, one of which is steel bars. While constructing a house, people should ensure they get the right kind of steel rebar, as this aspect determines the strength of the house.

From the reinforcement of concrete up to the partitions, and the load-bearing walls, the bars are indispensable in home construction. However, what different people may not be aware of is that there are several subcategories of steel bars, intended for particular use. In this guide, I hope to teach you about steel bars for home construction and some of the types of steel bars used in residential buildings so that you get it right.

Discovering the importance of steel bars in construction

Reinforcement bars are the primary component of reinforced concrete structures since while concrete is solid in compression it has very low tensile strength. Concrete is good for compression forces but requires steel bars in structural members to hold tensile forces in, for example, areas in which earthquakes or wind loads are prone or where a structure has to support a lot of weight. The use of concrete and steel makes the construction of residential buildings durable and strong.

Thus, one must be very careful in deciding on which steel bar to use in a given construction project to yield a proper structure. If wrong steel bars are used or substandard ones then it results in cracks and instabilities and sometimes failure.

The different types of steel bars

Now, let’s discuss the different kinds of steel bars that are applied to residential construction. All of them have different advantages and uses depending on the situations and problems they are used in.

Mild steel bars (MS Bars)

It is a plain round bar manufactured from low-carbon steel usually referred to as carbon steel bar. It is preferred for low-tensile stress applications such as low-rise dwelling structures. The use of these bars is flexible and hence suitable for simple construction applications such as reinforcement of slabs and columns.

High yield strength deformed (HYSD) bars

Mild steel bars are replaced by HYSD bars. It’s because they are deformed bars with ribs and these ribs aid in achieving better rebars and concrete bonds. They have high yield strength and are suitable for use in residential structures like large houses, apartment complexes that require additional reinforcement – tall buildings and load-bearing walls.

Thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) bars

TMT bars are amongst the sought-after steel bars implemented in modern constructions; particularly residential buildings. They go through a distinct manufacturing process that includes quenching and self–tempering hence having high strength together with ductility. The outer portion of the TMT bars is very hard and strong while the inner portion is comparatively soft and ductile; this property makes the bars capable of handling both the tensile and compressive forces.

Another advantage of TMT bars is that they are very resistant to corrosion hence they are preferred in construction zones that are damp or near the coast. It also provides an excellent bond with concrete which makes it suitable for regions with frequent earthquakes.

Cold twisted deformed or CTD bars

CTD bars are also other types of deformed steel bars that are produced by bending plain steel bars in order to enhance their load-bearing capability. Although earlier CTD bars were used regularly, they are slowly shifting towards TMT bars because of the enhanced properties of the latter such as better endurance to corrosion and higher strength. CTD bars are however still used in some regions although their application has been limited as construction practices advance.

Reinforced steel bars

These bars are also cast in concrete to provide for tensile loads as well as stability of the structure. Different grades of rebars are available in the market and it seems that higher grades are better in terms of strength and ductility.

They can be normal or twisted and are employed in virtually all parts of the construction of homes including the flooring and the roof.

TMT bars and why they are different

TMT bars have become the norm in residential construction since they offer flexibility in addition to possessing better characteristics. Due to their high tensile strength, corrosion resistance and good adhesive properties, they are ideal in many construction applications. Be it a small one or two-room house or a high-rise building, TMT bars have the strength and the reliability needed to protect your home.

Factors to consider when choosing steel bars

There are several factors to keep in mind when selecting steel bars for your residential project:

• Corrosion resistance: If your home is in a coastal area choose water-resistant TMT bars.
• Tensile strength: For projects, where high strength is required especially in high-rise structures HYSD and TMT bars are preferred.
• Earthquake resistance: TMT bars are very much preferred in earthquake zones due to the flexibility and shock resistance that it has.

Conclusion

Special attention should be paid to the choice of steel bar for home construction not only to the type of steel but the quality of it as well. That is why I want to personally recommend Adukia (AIC) Group as one of the main producers of TMT bars.

A common aspect that makes AIC Group famous for supplying construction steel products is that we deliver the best materials. Their TMT bars are considered to be stronger, resistant to corrosion and adhere to national and international standards for construction and hence are better for residential construction.

FAQ

• What are the steel bars used in residential buildings?

There are four basic grades of steel bars – Fe-415, Fe-500, FE-550 and Fe-600. Fe-415 grade steel bars are cheaper and used for the construction of buildings such as houses.

• Which steel is best for home construction?

TMT bars in general are accepted as the finest bar for construction.

• Why is Adukia (AIC) Group the best for TMT bars?

Adukia (AIC) Group is the best for TMT bars because of their superior quality durable bar that complies with both national and international standards to deliver the best strength and corrosion-resistant TMT bars.