The world is rapidly changing, on the one hand, technologically we are growing at a fast pace, but not in the case of our surroundings. At least in the last three years, we have seen a rise in the number of earthquakes all around the world. India is no exception, in the report published by the Indian Government, we have seen an increase in Earthquakes since 2020.
We all have learnt during our childhood what to do when an earthquake happens. The greatest threat is the buildings around us. Many of the tragedies occur due to constructions falling down and causing loss of life. Thus, it is very necessary to make buildings earthquake resistant as much as possible.
Making any type of construction requires materials that can withstand the test of time. Cement, sand, stone chips and most importantly, TMT steel bars. TMT bars are the foundation of any architecture, so getting the best TMT is always a sensible choice. Compromising structural integrity is one of the causes of man-made disasters during an earthquake. Therefore, investing in earthquake resistant TMT bars is always the right choice.
What do the numbers say about earthquakes in India?
According to the report published on 6th December 2023 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, reported data estimates a rise in earthquake activity in 2023, which is mostly due to the activation of the Almora fault in Western Nepal. Moreover, this deep underground activity caused earthquakes on January 24, 2023, with a magnitude of 5.8, on October 3, 2023, with a magnitude of 6.2, and on November 3, 2023, with a magnitude of 6.4. Furthermore, the aftershocks from these mainshocks increased the number of earthquakes in 2023.
Earthquakes between the range of 3.0 to 3.9 Magnitude leapt from 42 in 2020 to a whopping 97 incidents in 2023. The same can be said for the Magnitude of 4.0 to 4.9, which increased from 18 in 2020 to 21 in 2023. More significantly, earthquake magnitude ranging between 6.0 to 6.9 saw no activity in the year 2020 but in 2023, two earthquakes of this magnitude took place in northern India. Therefore, it is very much evident that our country is becoming more prone to such natural disasters. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to take appropriate measures.
Why does every construction need earthquake resistant TMT steel bars?
As we have all already told you before, good TMT bars are the core foundation of any kind of building. Therefore, in especially earthquake-prone places, you must go with very good-quality TMT bars. Remember, TMT earthquake resistant TMT bars will be a lot better at resisting the shockwaves than normal steel bars. Let us go into detail why going with such TMT bars is a good decision,
High Strength and Ductility: TMT bars that are made to face shockwaves from earthquakes have a balance of high strength and ductility. The strength of the TMT bars allows them to withstand earthquake forces, yet their ductility allows them to bend without breaking, thus absorbing seismic energy.Lower Amount of Sulphur and Phosphorus: The lower amount of sulphur and phosphorus in the steel is responsible for the weldability and resistance to corrosion in TMT bars. There are also various grades of TMT Steel bars that are suitable depending on the Earthquake zone in India. For example, Fe-500D (The 'D' denotes superior ductility) is a grade in steel which is commonly used for striking a good balance of strength and ductility. On the other hand, Fe-550 offers better strength while also maintaining good ductility. Lastly, Fe-450 is a grade that prioritises ductility over strength which naturally makes them a good choice for high seismic zones. BIS-approved TMT bars do offer earthquake resistance.What do TMT bars with earthquake resistance offer?
There are TMT steel bars which are specifically made to withstand the tremendous force of a massive shockwave from an earthquake. As we have already mentioned, they have lower levels of sulphur and phosphorus in order to be more weldable and corrosion free as much as possible. But there are also additional benefits of such TMT bars,
Flexibility: Apart from strength and ductility, the flexibility in TMT bars can help them absorb and adapt to the unpredictable movements of the earthquake. This helps to prevent any kinds of cracks or collapse in the concrete structure.
Energy Absorption: The flexibility of the TMT bars allows them to be bendable. Which helps them absorb the seismic energy from the earthquake. This ultimately reduces the stress on the concrete building, improving the ability to stay intact.
Anchor Points: TMT bars act as anchor points in the concrete frame of a construction. They hold all the structural elements together during the period of intense shaking. Hence, this feature prevents the structural point from dislocating and then collapsing.
Corrosion Resistance: Standard steel bars can corrode over time, weakening the concrete structure. TMT bars are often more resistant to corrosion, ensuring the building's long-term stability.
Also Read: TMT Bars in Building Construction: The Essential For Durability
Making the wise decision for the greater good
What you build will last for many years, and will probably leave a legacy behind. Therefore, with the increased frequency of earthquakes in India, you need to make a choice. Building structures resistant to seismic activities should be the top priority. Moreover, using BIS-certified earthquake resistant TMT bars ensures the quality as they are more adaptive to earthquakes. This way you can prevent any upcoming death that might have occurred otherwise.
We have already discussed the advantage that earthquake resistant TMT bars have over any other alternative. They provide great strength, and ductility as well as high shockwave absorption and corrosion resistance. Thus, with all these advantages, you can build any house, hotel, school or skyscraper. But, in the moment of natural disaster, your built structure with the right TMT bars will stand the test well.
FAQs
1.What is the difference between regular steel bars and TMT bars?
TMT or Thermo Mechanically Treated are made of reinforced steel bars used in concrete construction. These special bars are made by thermomechanical treatment processes like quenching (rapid cooling) and tempering (heating to a specific temperature). Therefore, they are much better in terms of strength, ductility, and weldability than regular steel bars.
2. How can TMT bars increase the ability to withstand shocks from an earthquake?
Earthquakes are known to cause intense vibration which sways buildings extremely. Thus, causing a lot of stress on the concrete and the steel bars inside. But TMT bars are specially made to absorb this vibration and put less stress on the concrete structure.
Sign in to leave a comment.