Characterization of Low Carbon Steel Bar Used For Reinforcing Animal House Building

Abstract

The quality of the low carbon reinforcing steels bars used in the construction of an animal house in the University of Ilorin premises have been investigated in this research. This was motivated by the fact that it has been noted that the use of the substandard reinforcing bars by construction industry is leading to collapse of many structures in many countries. The selected steel rod (low carbon steel) was subjected to laboratory tensile test and chemical composition analysis using the Universal testing machine and the atomic emission spectrometer respectively. The value of the Ultimate Tensile Stress (UTS) is 673N/mm², the Elastic Limit (EL) is within the range of 383N/mm² - 430N/mm² for all the rods, the yield point ranges between 400N/mm² - 460N/mm², the breaking point is 598N/mm² and the average young modulus is 88.7N/mm. The result were compared with the existing set standards for specified class of reinforcing steel bars and found to be in agreement with the minimum allowable range as specified in the Nigeria Industrial Standard. It was found that the bars had specified value of yield strength and has a minimum carbon content of 0.234%. The percentage of other elements such as Silicon, Manganese, Phosphorous, Sulphur, Copper and Nitrogen were also in agreement with the NIS standard of the elemental concentration.

Keywords: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Test, Yield Strength, Working Stress, Ultimate Stress