Chapter 10
Testing Tensile Strength of Steel Bars
1. INTRODUCTION
Rebar, also known as reinforcement steel and reinforcing steel, is a steel bar or mesh of
steel wires used in reinforced concrete and masonry structures to strengthen and hold the
concrete in tension. To improve the quality of the bond with the concrete, the surface of
rebar is often patterned.
Rebar is necessary to compensate for the fact that whilst concrete is strong in
compression, it is relatively weak in tension. By casting rebar into concrete, it is able to
carry tensile loads and so increase overall strength.
DIFFERENT USES OF REBAR INCLUDE:
Primary reinforcement: Used to provide resistance to support design loads.
Secondary reinforcement: Used for durability and aesthetic purposes by
providing localised resistance to limit cracking and temperature-induced stresses.
Provide resistance to concentrated loads, spreading it through a wider area.
Assist other steel bars in accommodating their loads by holding them in the
correct position.
External steel tie bars to constrain and reinforce masonry structures, sometimes as
a means of building conservation.
Reinforced masonry: Some masonry blocks and bricks include voids to
accommodate rebar to carry tensile loads. The rebar is secured in place using grout.
2. TYPES OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS
2.1. 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.
Grades in mild steel bars
1) Mild Steel Bars
Mild steel bars grade-I designated as Fe 410-S or Grade 60.
Mild steel bars grade-II designated as Fe-410-o or Grade 40.
2) Medium Tensile Steel Bars designated as Fe- 540-w-ht or Grade 75.
2.2. DEFORMED STEEL BAR
2.2.1. 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
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Economical and safe in use
No loss in strength at welded joints
Ordinary electrodes used for welding the joints
2.2.2. 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.
2.3. OTHERS
2.3.1. European Bar
European rebar is made of manganese, which makes them bend easily.
They're not suitable for use in areas that are prone to extreme weather
conditions or geological effects, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or
tornadoes. The cost of this rebar is low.
2.3.2. Carbon Steel Rebar
As the name represents, it is made up of carbon steel and is commonly
known as Black Bar due to carbon colour. The main drawback of this rebar is
that it corrodes, which adversely effect the concrete and structure. The
tensile strength ratio coupled with the value makes black rebar one of the
best choices.
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2.3.3. Epoxy-Coated Rebar
Epoxy-coated rebar is black rebar with an epoxy coat. It has the same tensile
strength, but is 70 to 1,700 times more resistant to corrosion. However, the
epoxy coating is incredibly delicate. The greater the damage to the coating,
the less resistant to corrosion.
2.3.4. Galvanized Rebar
Galvanized rebar is only forty times more resistant to corrosion than
black rebar, but it is more difficult to damage the coating of galvanized
rebar. In that respect, it has more value than epoxy-coated rebar.
However, it is about 40% more expensive than epoxy-coated rebar.
2.3.5. Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (GFRP)
GFRP is made up of carbon fibre. As it is made up of fibre, bending is not
allowed. It is very resistant to corrosion and is costly when compared to
other rebars.
2.3.6. Stainless Steel Rebar
Stainless steel rebar is the most expensive reinforcing bar available, about
eight times the price of epoxy-coated rebar. It is also the best rebar available
for most projects. However, using stainless steel in all but the most unique of
circumstances is often overkill. But, for those who have a reason to use it,
stainless steel rebar 1,500 times more resistant to corrosion than black bar; it
is more resistant to damage than any of the other corrosive-resistant or
corrosive-proof types or rebar; and it can be bent in the field.
3. TENSILE TEST
Tension test is performed on mild steel, tor steel and high tensile steel to determine the
properties like Young's modulus, ultimate strength, and the percentage elongation. In
the tension test, a steel rod is subjected to tension load by the means of a Universal
testing machine(UTM). The equipment arrangement and procedure for conducting the
tension test on steel rod are explained in this article in detail.
3.1. Equipment for Tension Test on
Steel The tension test requires:
1) Universal Testing Machine(UTM)
2) Extensometer
3) Scale Vernier Calipers
4) Punching tools
3.2. Theory
The specimen is subjected to constant tension load and the extension caused in
the steel rod is noted against the load within the elastic limit. The load values at
yield point, breaking point, and ultimate point are carefully noted. With the
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obtained values, the stress and strain are calculated and plotted in a graph. From
the data, we get:
1) Modulus of Elasticity, E = Stress/Strain[This is calculated within the
elastic limit. The slope of the stress-strain curve provides the modulus of
elasticity]
2) Yield Stress = Load at yield Point/Original C/s Area
3) Ultimate Stress = Ultimate Load/Original C/s Area
4) Nominal Breaking Stress = Breaking Load/Nominal Breaking Stress 5)
Actual Breaking Stress = Breaking load/Neck Area
6) Percentage elongation = (Change in length/Original Length)/100
7) Percentage reduction in the area = (Change in length/Original Area)/100
3.3. Procedure for Tensile Strength on Steel Rod
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