What Is TMT Bar? What Are the Different Types of TMT Steel Bars

What is a TMT Bar?

TMT Steel bars also known as Thermo Mechanically Treated bars were introduced to the construction world for the first time in the year 1979. These bars are manufactured using high grade steel, possess superior strength and are said to increase the structural stability of the structure to a great extent. The unique manufacturing process ensures higher flexibility & bendability by virtue of retaining a softer inner core while the outer area is tough.

In simple words, TMT steel bars keep the concrete intact and provide stability to the entire structure.

Importance of TMT Bars in Construction

TMT bars are extremely important as the provide higher stability to the structure. They do so by resisting bending, compression and transverse resist shearing forces while bearing the entire load of the structure on them.

The various types of loads it takes on are dead load, live load, wind load and earthquake load.

What are the Different types of TMT bars?

There are various types of steel bars available in the market based on the grade of steel used in the process of manufacturing and the thickness of each bar. Most commonly used grades of steel in manufacturing TMT bars are Fe 415, Fe 500, Fe 550 and Fe 550D The strength and durability of each TMT bars is greatly dependent on the grade of steel used and the chemical composition Carbon, Sulphur and Phosphorous.

Additionally, TMT steel bars come in various sizes ranging from 8mm to 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm and 32mm. However, it is possible to get TMT bars custom made to fit your requirement.

Now, let’s understand where TMT bars of varying thicknesses are used.

•    8mm steel rods & 10mm steel rods act as load bearing members in a structure; hence they are used in stairways, slabs and more.

•    TMT bars ranging from 12mm to 25mm are capable of withstanding high external loads; hence they are predominantly used in beams & columns.

•    TMT bars of thickness greater than 25mm, i.e., 32mm steel rods are used in the construction of large infrastructure projects such as dams, bridges, roadways & more.

Where are TMT Bars Used?

TMT bars of various sizes as mentioned above are used in the construction of infrastructure projects of varying scales. Such as –

•     Residential projects – Independent villas & Highrise structures

•     Bridges, flyovers, dams

•     Large structures such as Malls, Schools, Airports, Hospitals, etc.

•     Industrial structures, educational institutions, etc.

•     Underwater & Underground structures