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www.engineeringcivil.com/higher-grade-reinforcement-path-to-future.html
By
Sourav Dutta
Manager-Civil
The first version of BIS 1786 came out in 1985 where in Cl.1.1, the code had put the
detailed physical and chemical properties, testing procedures of following strength
grades of HYSD (High Yield Strength Deformed) bars/wires as shown below:
The next version of the code BIS 1786 was introduced in 2008, where new strength
grade Fe600 had been introduced. Also, two categories based on elongation for each
grade except Fe600 had also been introduced. Thus in Cl.1.1, the code had put the
detailed physical and chemical properties, testing procedures of following strength
grades of HYSD (High Yield Strength Deformed) bars/wires as shown below:
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Fig 2 (s) : BIS1786-2008 and the relevant clause
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Fig 3 (s) : BIS1786-2008 amendment (Fourth revision)
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Although the specifications of higher grade reinforcement like Fe550 or Fe600 have
been introduced, but design engineering codes have restricted tables/charts upto Fe500
only. Therefore design using Fe550 or Fe600 can only be possible manually by deriving
the necessary parameters on going by the basic principle theory of civil engineering.
Also softwares like ETABS, SAFE and SAP2000 are handy for designing by any grade of
reinforcement, on input of some basic physical parameters. But without in-depth
knowledge of basic principles of civil engineering to derive the necessary parameters,
coupled with scarcity of knowledge in operation of the softwares, the use of high grade
reinforcement in large-scale project sector has been very limited.
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Moreover, although Fe415 has become obsolete now-a-days, and very few secondary
rebar producers are manufacturing the same, till now BIS456-2000 has not lifted its
restriction in calculation of stirrups, where fy (Yield stress) of stirrups have been
restricted to 415 N/mm2 (i.e, Fe415 grade) as shown below:
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Thereafter, now-a-days a major part of India falls in earthquake zone III, IV and V (Zone
V being the severest), and thus all RCC structures design is being guided by BIS13920
(reaffirmed 2003), which is mandatory to be adopted in these seismic zones, as per
Cl.1.1.1 of the code. Ductility requirement of RCC structures is taken care by the code.
As per Cl. 5.3 of BIS13920 (reaffirmed 2003), taking care of the percent elongation of
rebar, it has recommended Fe415 or lesser grade use, and at same time they have given
relaxation to Fe500 and Fe550 manufactured by TMT process but having minimum
14.5% elongation. Thus in line with this requirement, Fe 500D/S and Fe 550D grades
were introduced in 2008 and 2012 as per table 3 of BIS1786-2008 amendment (Fourth
revision) as given above, as these grades of rebar are required to possess minimum
14.5% elongation.
In this context it is to be noted that now-a-days Therefore although many ISP rebar
producers claim to manufacture Fe600 having elongation higher than 14.5%, nowhere in
BIS13920 use of Fe600 is proposed, may be as it is interpreted that elongation
decreases with increase in strength.
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Fig 6 (s) : BIS13920 (reaffirmed 2003) and relevant clauses
Thus in a nutshell, since Fe550 and Fe600 curves/charts are not introduced in design
engineering codes till now, coupled with the above mentioned factors, very less private
client/contractor projects and none of public government projects are able to propose for
using these higher grades of reinforcement in their technical specification.
It is likely that in near future Fe550 or Fe600 or even higher grades might come up and
find place in construction industry, with the huge infrastructure development/construction
happening in India. This is likely to have the following features/impacts as listed below:
Faster Progress
• Lesser steel handling/fabrication enables faster project progress.
A cost analysis for Fe500 vs Fe600 grade rebar (per Ton) for standard ISP rebar
producer is being given for reference:
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Total cost for using Fe500D at site (per Ton) 42761
Since Fe600 typically gives ~15%** rebar savings over Fe500(D), thus actual cost
corresponding to per Ton of Fe500(D) = 44801×85% = Rs 38081
Expected net savings for Fe600 over Fe500(D) per Ton = 42761-38081= Rs 4680
* : Indicative price shown for analysis.
Note: No overhead cost (company staff involvement) has been considered in the
comparison.
Possible best application areas of Higher grade rebar (Fe550/Fe600):
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Fig 7 (s) : Piers/Abutments of Bridge/Flyover
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Fig 8 : Longitudinal girders of Bridge/Flyover
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We at engineeringcivil.com are thankful to Er. Sourav Dutta for submitting this paper to
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us. We hope this paper will be helpful for the whole construction industry in general.
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