Q.3) Do literature review on steel as reinforcement in Nepal?

(Hint: focus on history of rebar,

manufacturing process, properties, stress strain part, yield and ultimate strength part,
available size and brands, codal provisions etc.)

KEYWORD: Steel, Alloy, Iron, Carbon, BF-BOF Route, EAF Route, TMT Bars, HYSD Bars,
Reinforcement, Grades, Sizes, Nepal, Tensile Strength, Yield Strength, Ductility, Modulus of
Elasticity, Stress-Strain Curve, Elastic Zone, Plastic Zone, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Breaking
Stress, NBC 105:2005, IS 1786:2008, Eurocode 2, ACI 318, Earthquake Resistance, Seismic
Safety, Infrastructure, Induction Furnace, Electric Arc Furnace, Codal Provisions, Construction,
Corrosion Resistance, Sustainability.

A. INTRODUCTION
Steel, an alloy of iron and carbon, typically contains less than 2% carbon, 1% manganese, and
small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and oxygen. As the world’s most significant
engineering and construction material, steel is integral to numerous industries and everyday
applications, including automotive, construction, home appliances, shipping, and medical
equipment.
Steel production primarily follows two main routes:
 Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) Route: Predominantly uses iron ore, coal,
and recycled steel.
 Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Route: Primarily utilizes recycled steel and electricity,
supplemented by direct-reduced iron (DRI) or hot metal when available.
Globally, around 70.7% of steel is produced via the BF-BOF route. In this process, iron ore is first
reduced to iron, known as hot metal or pig iron, which is then converted into steel in a Basic
Oxygen Furnace (BOF). The resulting steel is cast, rolled, and shaped into various products such
as coils, plates, sections, or bars.
Steel is highly versatile, with over 3,500 different grades developed to cater to diverse physical,
chemical, and environmental needs. Remarkably, approximately 75% of modern steels have
emerged in the last two decades. For instance, if the Eiffel Tower were reconstructed today, only
one-third of the original steel quantity would be required due to advancements in steel quality.

1
Modern automotive applications demonstrate steel’s evolution, using grades that are not only
stronger but also up to 35% lighter, underscoring its vital role in enhancing performance and
sustainability.

B. HISTORY OF STEEL
Steel has a long and transformative history, beginning with ancient civilizations like China and
India, where skilled craftsmanship laid its early foundation. Initially, meteoric iron was used for
decoration around 4000 BCE, while smelted iron appeared in India around 1800 BCE. The
Hittites of Anatolia advanced iron smelting around 1500 BCE, spreading the knowledge across
Europe and Asia after their empire's fall, marking the start of the Iron Age. Steel was likely
discovered accidentally when iron was exposed to charcoal for extended periods, resulting in a
harder and stronger material.
The modern steel industry began in the 1850s with Henry Bessemer's process for mass-
producing steel, which refined molten pig iron by oxidizing impurities. Since then, advances have
led to thousands of steel grades tailored to diverse applications.
In Nepal, the steel industry started in 1961 with Himal Iron and Steel, followed by over 20
companies, such as Panchakanya Group and Jyoti Group, now pivotal to the nation's
manufacturing sector.
Steel's evolution continues with high-strength steels enabling lighter, stronger, and more
sustainable structures, ensuring its prominence in global development for generations.

C. AVAILABLE GRADES, SIZES, AND BRANDS OF STEEL IN NEPAL

1. Grades of Steel:
 TMT Bars (Thermo-Mechanically Treated): High-strength, corrosion-resistant, ductile, and
earthquake-resistant, widely used for modern RCC constructions. Grades include:
o Fe 415: Suitable for RCC in corrosion and earthquake-prone zones due to higher
elongation.
o Fe 500: Preferred for bridges, buildings, and concrete structures due to corrosion resistance
and bendability.
o Fe 550: Used in marine, coastal, and underground RCC construction due to higher yield
and tensile strength.

2
 o Fe 600: Ideal for large RCC constructions offering maximum strength and toughness.
 HYSD Bars (High Yield Strength Deformed): Earlier generation of reinforcement steel, less
efficient and corrosion-resistant than TMT bars.
2. Sizes of Steel:
 Range in Nepal: 7 mm to 125 mm, catering to diverse construction needs such as foundation
bolts, auto parts, and general engineering.
3. Brands of Steel in Nepal:
 Prominent brands include:
o Hama Steel
o Himal Iron and Steel (P) Ltd.
o Panchakanya Steel
o Sankha Steel
o Laxmi Steel
o Ambe Steel
o Shalimar Steel
o Jagdamba Steel
TMT bars dominate due to their superior qualities, including seismic resistance and durability,
making them the preferred choice in Nepal's growing infrastructure sector.

C. MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS IN NEPAL

Steel reinforcement bars (rebars) in Nepal are primarily produced through two main processes: the
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and Induction Furnace (IF) methods.
1. Electric Arc Furnace (EAF):
 This process involves melting scrap steel or iron ore using electric arcs. The molten steel is
then alloyed to achieve the required chemical composition.
 After melting, the steel is passed through continuous casting and rolling mills, where it is
shaped into bars of varying diameters and lengths.
2. Induction Furnace (IF):
 Similar to the EAF process, the induction furnace method uses electrical induction to melt
scrap steel and alloy it for desired specifications. This process also ensures high efficiency in
energy consumption.

3
 Once molten steel is produced, it undergoes continuous casting to form billets, which are then
rolled into rebar through rolling mills. Temperature control and cooling techniques during
the process are critical to ensuring the steel’s mechanical properties are optimized, preventing
defects like cracks or warping.

E. PROPERTIES OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS

Steel reinforcement bars (rebars) are essential components in reinforced concrete construction,
particularly in earthquake-prone areas like Nepal. Made primarily from carbon steel, they may also
include alloying elements such as manganese and silicon, which enhance strength, ductility, and
performance. The two most common types of rebars in Nepal are mild steel (MS) and high-
strength deformed (HYSD) bars, with HYSD bars being preferred for seismic applications due
to their superior properties.
Key Properties
1. Tensile Strength
Defines the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched.
 Mild Steel (MS): Tensile strength ranges between 250 MPa and 400 MPa.
 HYSD Bars: Tensile strengths often exceed 500 MPa, making them more suitable for high-
load and seismic applications.
2. Yield Strength
Represents the stress at which a material deforms plastically.
 Mild Steel: Yield strength is approximately 250 MPa.
 HYSD Bars: Yield strength typically starts from 415 MPa, ensuring higher resistance to
deformation.
3. Ductility
 Indicates the ability of the material to undergo plastic deformation before rupture.
 High ductility is critical for structures in seismic regions, as it allows energy dissipation during
earthquakes.
 HYSD bars, with surface deformations, offer improved bonding with concrete, enhancing the
composite behavior of the structure.
4. Modulus of Elasticity
 Measures the stiffness of the steel, representing its elastic response under load.

4
 The modulus of elasticity for steel reinforcement is around 200 GPa, ensuring predictable
deformation under applied stresses.
These properties make steel reinforcement bars indispensable in constructing earthquake-resistant
structures, providing both strength and flexibility to withstand seismic forces effectively.

F. YIELD AND ULTIMATE STRENGTH POINT

This is a stress-strain curve diagram, commonly used in material science and engineering to
understand the mechanical behavior of materials under tensile testing. Here's a brief explanation
of the labeled regions and points:
1. Elastic Zone:
 In this zone, the material deforms elastically, meaning it will return to its original shape upon
unloading. The relationship between stress and strain is linear, governed by Hooke's Law.
2. Elastic Limit:
 The maximum stress the material can withstand while still returning to its original shape upon
unloading. Beyond this point, permanent deformation begins.
3. Yield Point:
 At this point, the material starts to deform plastically, meaning the deformation becomes
permanent. Strain increases significantly with little to no increase in stress.
4. Plastic Zone:

5
 This is the region where the material undergoes plastic deformation. The material cannot return
to its original shape even if the load is removed.
5. Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS):
 The maximum stress the material can withstand before necking begins. Beyond this point, the
cross-sectional area reduces significantly due to necking.
6. Necking:
 The localized reduction in cross-sectional area of the material, leading to concentrated stress
in this region.
7. Breaking Stress:
 The stress at which the material ultimately fractures or breaks.

G. CODAL PROVISIONS FOR STEEL REINFORCEMENT IN NEPAL

In Nepal, the Nepal National Building Code (NBC) governs the design and application of steel
reinforcement in concrete structures, setting standards for material specifications, structural safety,
and design requirements. The key provisions include:
 NBC 105:2005 (Design of Concrete Structures) :
Establishes minimum standards for designing reinforced concrete structures, focusing on
steel reinforcement specifications such as yield strength, bond strength, and safety factors.
 IS 1786:2008 (Indian Standard):
Widely used for high-yield strength deformed bars (HYSD), this standard specifies the
mechanical properties of steel reinforcement, including yield strength, tensile strength, and
elongation, ensuring consistency in quality and performance.
 Eurocode 2 and ACI 318:
These international standards are often referenced for advanced structural designs,
particularly in complex or large-scale projects. They provide comprehensive guidelines for
designing steel reinforcement to withstand seismic forces and other environmental conditions
common in Nepal.

6
H. CONCLUSION
Steel reinforcement is vital for the structural integrity and seismic safety of RC buildings in Nepal.
From relying on imports to establishing domestic production, Nepal now manufactures high-
quality rebars meeting international standards, ensuring strength and durability.
Advances in manufacturing using electric arc and induction furnaces have enabled the production
of various steel rebar types, offering flexibility in design and material selection. Modern high-
strength deformed bars (HYSD) with superior tensile strength and ductility have replaced mild
steel, making structures more earthquake-resistant.
The Nepal National Building Code (NBC) and IS 1786 provide essential guidelines for steel
reinforcement, ensuring safety and performance in seismic zones. As Nepal's infrastructure needs
grow, advancements in steel production and design practices will remain critical in building
resilient, sustainable structures to meet the challenges of an earthquake-prone region.

REFERENCES
 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). (2008). IS 1786: High Strength Deformed Steel Bars and
Wires for Concrete Reinforcement. New Delhi, India.
 Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM). (2005). NBC 105: Design of Concrete
Structures. Kathmandu, Nepal.
 Bhandari, R. (2017). Material Properties and Manufacturing of Steel Rebars in Nepal.
Nepal Journal of Engineering, 6(3), 78-90.
 Sapkota, A., & Thapa, B. (2014). Seismic Design of RC Structures in Nepal. Nepalese
Journal of Civil Engineering, 22(2), 101-115.
 Shree Steel. (2020). Steel Manufacturing and Rebar Products. Retrieved from
www.shreesteel.com.
 Nepal Steel. (2019). Specifications of Steel Reinforcement Bars in Nepal. Kathmandu,
Nepal.
 Nepal Steel Manufacturers Association (NSMA). (2018). Report on the Steel Industry in
Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal.
 ACI. (2019). ACI 318: Building Code for Structural Concrete. American Concrete Institute,
Michigan, USA.

7
 CEN. (2004). Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures (EN 1992-1-1). Brussels,
Belgium.
 Gautam Steel. (2020). Rebar Products and Specifications. Retrieved from
www.gautamsteel.com.
 ISO. (2015). ISO 6935-2: Steel for the Reinforcement of Concrete – Ribbed Bars. Geneva,
Switzerland.