Structural Strengths of Concrete Beams Reinforced With Various Types of Steel Reinforcements

The recurrent premature failures of public infrastructure which render most constructed facilities structurally deficient and functionally obsolete require urgent attention. This paper presents the results of the investigated properties and durability of both local and imported steel reinforcing bars in Nigeria. Flexural strengths of concrete structures reinforced with steel rebar specimens and subjected to third-point loading of 150 mm × 150 mm × 750 mm beam specimens of grade 20 N/mm2 concrete in accordance with BS 1881. The flexural stiffness of imported bars for 12 mm and 16 mm were 22.3 kN/mm2 and 49.9 kN/mm2 respectively, while the local and TMT imported bars were 11.5% and 7.5% lower. In conclusion, though the imported bars marginally satisfied the ASTM and BS standards in strength except durability, while local bars did not meet the two requirements. Hence, the development of National Building Codes that reflect the actual material characteristics is imperative to avert premature failure