Analysis of Properties of Reinforcing Steel Bars: Case Study of Collapsed Building in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The chemical compositions and the microstructures of reinforcing steel bars obtained from three different collapsed building sites were studied. Optical emission spectrometer was used to carry out the chemical analysis, while the microstructure was examined using an optical microscopy. The carbon contents of the steel bars were found to be higher than BS4449 and ASTM706 standards, but they are in close range with the Nst-65-Mn standard. The manganese contents of the steel bars are lower, while the sulphur and phosphorus contents are quite higher than the BS4449, ASTM706 and Nst-65-Mn standards. The hardness values of the investigated bars are higher than recommended BS4449 standard but lower than Nst-65-Mn standard. Brittle globules of Fe3P and FeS were observed within the structure possibly due to higher contents of deleterious sulphur and phosphorus. The results suggest that the investigated reinforcing bars are brittle and thus contributing significantly to the collapse of the building structures.