CHARACTERISATION OF REINFORCING STEEL BARS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
CHARACTERISATION OF REINFORCING STEEL BARS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
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Date
2012-08
Authors
JIBRIN, MOHAMMED UMAR
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This research entitled “Characterization of Reinforcing Steel Bars in The Nigerian Construction
Industry” was undertaken to find out the physical and chemical properties of the reinforcing steel
bars used in the Nigerian Construction Industry. The study investigated the tensile, bending and
chemical composition parameters of the steel bars in relation to their level of conformity with the
standards. Samples from 418 pieces of bars from 19 companies were used in the experiment and
1520 test results were obtained. It was found that all the samples tested short of expectations of
BS4449:1997 in at least one parameter tested. Eighty five percent (11/13) of the local bars tested did
not comply with the characteristic strength provisions while the corresponding ductility figures are
satisfactory for eighty five percent (11/13) of the bars. It was further established that the foreign
bars, despite complying with the code in characteristic strength, have performed below expectations
in ductility implying they can fail without warning. It was also noted that the tested reinforcing steel
bars have not reasonably agreed in terms of chemical concentrations and percentage composition.
There seems to be a lot of impurities in the samples as evidenced by the uncontrolled presence of
sulphur, phosphorus and nitrogen. Although, the Carbon equivalent (C.eqv.) values are within
acceptable range, there is a conspicuous absence of some critical elements such as Vanadium and
Molybdenum that are supposed to be important determinants of strength and ductility.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING,
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA – NIGERIA.
Keywords
CHARACTERISATION,, REINFORCING,, STEEL,, BARS,, NIGERIAN,, CONSTRUCTION,, INDUSTRY