How to build a strong Column for your home

Consider the momentous event in architecture when the wall parted and the column became! – Louis Kahn

The History of Column Construction for Homes

The column is a reasonable point-level singular structure that is developed to support a load. It is for this reason; that it is one of the most critical frameworks for any home. Over the years columns were developed using a single block of rock carved out into a single diameter base point. This ensures the durability and structural integrity of the homes. However, with the dawn of the last half of the past millennia, a major shift was seen in column construction, with users and organizations shifting from a single piece of chunk column to concrete columns. With the introduction of the concrete column, a sharp rise in TMT bars and iron rod usage was seen all across the globe and the same inference stands for India as well. 

A Shift in Column Construction Dynamics

One of the major reasons behind this dynamic shift was completely based on the fact, that single rocks carved columns were extremely difficult to make and the process required a huge number of people due to the large amount of weight the columns had. Besides this reason, over a period of time, the rock carved columns would also trap moisture due to the porous nature of a single large piece of rock which is usually found in nature, this not only affected the columns by allowing them to crack from inside out but would also result in the development of damps on the walls developed around it. This directly affected not only the integrity of the column structure and its surroundings but also the integrity of the entire building. As a result, the moving trend toward concrete or cementitious columns came into existence.  

The New Era of Column Construction and Discoveries

However, the journey to create stronger and long-lasting columns was still a complex process despite this change. One of the major reasons behind this is finding the right TMT bars that would support the weight of the column, without exerting huge pressure on the surrounding walls and the ground it was raised on. Through the transverse of experimentation in the past 50 years, many variants of TMT bars ranging between 12mm and 25mm have been tested and tried for column creation. However, with a modular structure of columns where 4 - 40 TMT bars are tied in a loop, lightweight is the most important criterion for column creation. It is because of this reason, the 12mm bars were found to be the ideal solution for column creation. The internal findings thus, reflected an individual 12mm TMT bar weight to be 0.890 kg/m. Thus, the development of a strong column for a home to weigh around a minimum of 3.56 kg/m for an individual column’s TMT structure!

The Challenges in the New Era of Column Construction

With the knowledge gathered from this tested and tried method of different TMT bars multiple arrays of approaches were made to ensure perfection using 12mm TMT bars. However, despite these efforts, many a time columns failed to meet the desired quality. The main reason behind this was the poor quality of TMT bars, which were either overweight or made up of scrap iron that easily cracked under pressure, corroded away in time, or get rusting. Hence it was extremely important to identify TMT bar manufacturers who would supply the top TMT bars in India.   

That is why in this segment of our article we have accumulated information about TMT that makes them the best in the nation. Let’s walk you through the different factors that contribute towards manufacturing top TMT bars in India, directly contributing towards the building of strong columns for your home.   

Different Factors of TMT that helps in the Construction of Strong Columns

Raw Material of TMT

The Best Quality TMT bars in India are manufactured from Virgin Iron Ore. It is because Virgin Iron Ore is the source of raw material for producing top TMT bars in India. On the other hand, TMTs manufactured from scrap or reused iron are of poor quality and end up developing rust, and cracks, while being vulnerable to corrosion. This directly impacts the strength and longevity of the column construction. Hence, the Best TMT bar manufacturers in India always prefer to use Virgin Iron ore to produce TMT bars.

Process of Manufacturing TMT

The manufacturing process is one of the most critical factors in developing good-quality TMT bars. It is because the manufacturing process determines the strength and flexibility of the TMTs. That is why the best TMT bar manufacturers in India use a controlled process and the latest Thermex technology to manufacture TMT bars. This, in turn, provides the TMTs with increased strength, while reducing impurities. Further with the use of the latest technology the TMT bars can achieve better ductility, and improved ability to absorb energy. Allowing the column structures constructed using TMTs to be more resistant to natural hazards like earthquakes.

The Grade of the TMT Manufactured

In India, many different grades of TMT bars are presently available in the market. This varies between Lower Grades to Higher Grades. These grades of the TMT Steel determine the elongation of the bars. According to Indian Standard Deformed Steel Bars and Wires for Concrete Reinforcement Institute (IS: 1786/2008); lower grades TMT Bars have Lower Strength and High Flexibility whereas higher grades TMT Bar have Higher Strength & Lower Flexibility. That is why the top TMT bars in India are manufactured keeping in mind that the TMT bar provides the right balance of flexibility and strength when you plan to use TMT for construction. As per research conducted by "Indian Standard Deformed Steel Bars and Wires for Concrete Reinforcement Institute" under (Indian Standard code 1786 & 2008); a TMT bar that maintains the right balance of flexibility and strength, signifies the minimum yield stress in MPa (tensile strength), and better elongation. Further, these top-quality TMT bars provide extreme weldability, ductility, and bendability which are far superior to all other TMT bars in India. Thus, facilitating the construction of strong columns for your home!

The Design of the Ribs in TMT

The design of the TMT Ribs plays a crucial role in providing a strong anchorage sheath between the TMT and the cementitious material. Thus, allowing the concrete formed with the help of the TMT ribs to have a better grip. This in turn improves the stability of the columns by a huge margin, when compared with poorly ribbed TMTs, which often end up getting badly damaged during natural calamities like earthquakes, cyclones, etc. That is why the best TMT bars in India select TMT ribs that are approved by “IS 1786”. It is because these approved ribs have been designed keeping in mind natural calamities that may affect the integrity of the building. Since India falls under a high seismic zone with a devastating history of earthquakes “IS 1786” approved ribs are a must when planning to use TMTs for column construction purposes.  

Corrosion Resistance

TMT bars are the pivotal component of columns that defines the integrity of the constructed structure. That is why it is important to select TMT bars that are resistant to corrosion. It is because TMT bars are often exposed to moisture, rainfall, and other weather conditions over a long period of time. This exposure can result in corrosion of the TMT’s steel, which can directly affect the integrity of the columns, by making them weak from the inside. Hence the Best TMT Bars in West Bengal are produced keeping in mind the TMTs are resistant to corrosion. This can also help in supporting columns even in places with heavy rainfall and places prone to flood besides earthquakes.

Ductility

Before purchasing TMT, it is of prime importance to check the ductility of the TMT bars. The ductility reflects the elongation capacity of the TMT bar, which indicates the ability of the TMT bars to be elongated or stretched using external force without impacting the integrity of the bar. Hence the top TMT bar in India ensures that the TMT produced has better elongation capacity/ductility ensuring stronger column construction for homes.

Weldability

TMT bars are often required to be cut, reshaped, and welded into places based on column designs. Hence it is important to have TMT steel that allows an easy welding process. Further, if the TMTs are not manufactured under properly controlled thermomechanical treatment they end up requiring pre and post-welding treatment. This, in turn, increases the cost of the TMT bars. Hence the top TMT bar in India provides easy weldability to ensure stronger and sound column construction.

These are some of the major factors that consumers should always keep in mind when planning to purchase TMT bars for the construction of strong columns for their homes.