Role of TMT Bars in Earthquake Resistance

Earthquakes are common occurrences. Not long ago in April 2015, the world witnessed a severe seismic activity when a devastating earthquake shook the entire country.  The widespread destruction that followed brought more than 6 lakh structures down to dust, claiming thousands of lives within seconds.  Interestingly, it was found that the impact of the tremor was significantly less in the Indian states that shared boundaries with Nepal. According to researchers, this was because the falling of structural debris was lesser on the Indian side as most of the buildings use TMT bars. 

This clearly highlights the significance of utilizing high-grade, earthquake-resistant TMT bars in construction. TMT bars, according to industry experts are the gold standard for earthquake-proof buildings. Let’s have a look at the role played by TMT bars in making constructions earthquake resistant:

Outstanding Seismic Performance:

The key qualities of best quality TMT bars in India include elongation, ductility, strength and workability. Elongation and ductility are the two properties that help TMT bars retain their structural integrity in the event of an earthquake by absorbing the shock without breaking.

TMT bars possess a flexible ferrite-pearlite core and a robust martensite external surface. The soft core tilts in case of an earthquake while the tough exterior brings the structure back to its original position. The ductility and elongation properties of TMT bars ensure excellent tensile adjustment to tensile stress or inelastic strains during earthquakes and its aftershocks. 

How to Select the Best Earthquake Resistant TMT Bars?

The best quality TMT bars such as the ones made by JSW incorporate all the mechanical properties such as top yield strength and high elongation percentage considered vital for determining the bar’s flexural capacity. 

Using pure iron ore, JSW deploys the cutting-edge temp core process technology for producing the best quality TMT bars in India.  Their TMT bars are well-suited for earthquake zones and guarantee complete peace of mind. 

How to Make out If a TMT is Truly Earthquake Proof?

There are certain grades set by the bureau of Indian standards ( BIS) such as Fe-600, Fe-500D, Fe-500, Fe-415D, FE-500, Fe-415 and Fe-415D. According to different studies, the most ideal strength is Fe-415 which has a proper mix of tensile strength and ductility required for seismic prone regions. 

As per the reports of National Centre of Seismology ( NCS), India’s plate which is rotating anticlockwise is shifting at a rate of 45 mm per year, which makes it a high seismic zone with over 56% of the area prone to low to severe tremors. When it comes to ensuring the safety of your construction as well as your loved ones, picking the right TMT bars is important.