Earthquake resistant steel: Enhancing Structural Safety and Stability

Have you ever heard of Earthquake resistant steel? Do you know how important it is in the world of modern building and construction? In light of the increase in natural disasters, especially earthquakes, it has become necessary to search for advanced engineering solutions to protect lives and property.

How can a type of iron make buildings able to withstand violent earth vibrations? What is the secret of its distinguished technical characteristics that give it the ability to absorb the enormous forces resulting from earthquakes? How is it combined with concrete to enhance the stability of buildings? Why has B500DWR steel become an essential choice in major engineering projects in Egypt and the world? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.

What is earthquake resistant iron?

Earthquake resistant steel, also known as B500DWR iron, is a special type of iron or steel specially designed to withstand the forces resulting from earthquakes. This iron is characterized by advanced technical properties, such as high flexibility and durability, which makes it able to absorb vibrations and pressures resulting from ground movements, without being exposed to cracking or breaking.

The function of Earthquake resistant steel is to enhance the ability of buildings and concrete structures to resist earthquakes. This type is used in the design of large structures that are subjected to strong mechanical forces, where it is combined with reinforced concrete or other building materials. To improve the stability of buildings and enhance their ability to resist vibrations without collapsing.

This type has many characteristics, including:

• High flexibility One of the advantages and characteristics of earthquake-resistant steel is that it has high flexibility, which makes it able to adapt to various earthquakes.
• Strength and durability Earthquake resistant steel is manufactured in a special way, which makes it have high strength and durability that ensures the building’s sustainability for a longer period a period Possible.
• Endurance Earthquake-resistant steel can withstand the pressure and expansion resulting from earthquakes, without losing its mechanical properties.

Specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings 

Earthquake resistant steel buildings are characterized by a special design and advanced building materials, aiming to reduce the impact of forces resulting from earthquakes and protect their residents. The following are the most prominent specifications that earthquake-resistant buildings must have:

1. Flexible design: The building must be designed in a special way; To be flexible enough to absorb the movement of an earthquake, flexible materials must be used, such as earthquake-resistant steel, in order to allow the building to move slightly without causing it to collapse.
2. Deep and solid foundations The foundations must be strong and deep enough to absorb the force of the earthquake, and the foundations must be specially designed to distribute the pressure resulting from the earthquake widely, to reduce its impact on the building.
3. Reinforced structure of the building The building's iron structure must include supports that enhance the building's ability to withstand the enormous forces resulting from earthquakes. These supports are built using earthquake-resistant iron.
4. Balanced distribution of mass The mass inside the building must be distributed in a balanced manner. Because balanced distribution contributes to improving the stability of the building during an earthquake.
5. Use flexible building materials Choosing building materials that have high flexibility and ability to absorb shocks is essential in these strong buildings. In order to withstand the shocks resulting from the earthquake.

The percentage of iron in reinforced concrete

Reinforced concrete is a type of concrete that is strengthened by the use of reinforcing steel, which increases its strength and rigidity in resisting various loads. The use of iron in reinforced concrete is essential; Because it helps resist tensile forces that concrete cannot bear on its own.

As for the percentages of iron in reinforced concrete, they are different percentages, varying according to the type of project and its engineering requirements, for example:

• The percentage of iron in reinforced concrete in residential buildings ranges between 0.7% and 1.2%.
• The percentage of iron in reinforced concrete in commercial or industrial buildings can reach 1.5% or more.
• The percentage of iron in reinforced concrete in bridges and large structures can range between 1.2% and 2% or more.

Read More about: Rebar reinforced concrete

The difference between types of rebar 

There are many types of rebar, the most famous and most widely used of which are:

1- Iron solid Very resistant

High-resistant iron is classified into two types: Iron 60, which is a type of reinforced iron found in the form of ribbed bars. This type is known for its strength and hardness. Therefore, it is suitable for large facilities, and the other type is iron 52, which is earthquake-resistant iron FlexiblyIt is large, so it is used in large installations.

2- Iron in the form of expanded wire

This type is known as mesh; Because it is made in a special way, in the form of a net, and in the form of small squares.

3- Smooth iron

It is one of the weakest types of iron. Despite this, it is used in ordinary and medium buildings. One of the most important features of this type is that it is easy to shape in order to use it more than once.

The difference between iron 37 and iron 52 

There are some main differences between the two types of iron 37 and iron 52, and these differences appear as follows:

1. Hardness Iron 37 is considered a lower-strength rebar, unlike Iron 52, which has high strength.
2. Flexibility: Iron 37 is more flexible compared to iron 52, which means it can bend easily when exposed to a certain pressure.
3. the weight: The weight of 52 iron is less when compared to a similar size of 37 iron.
4. Uses of each type Steel 37 is used in projects that are not exposed to huge loads and in regular residential buildings, while Steel 52 is used in buildings and facilities that are exposed to large loads, such as bridges and high towers.
5. the price The cost of 52 steel is more expensive than 37 steel, due to its durability.

Meaning of dwr iron

is used Rebar symbols To describe For the mechanical and physical properties of earthquake-resistant steel, it is also relied upon to determine the type, diameter, and shape of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete. DWR steel codes include the following:
 

iron b400dwr 

B400DWR iron is one of the types Rebar Which is characterized by high durability and distinctive Earthquake resistant steel properties, this iron is commonly used in construction projects that require large bearing capacity, such as towers, bridges and roads.

B500DWR iron price 

There are some factors controlling the price of B500DWR steel, the most important of which are: 

• Prices of raw materials used in the manufacture of this type of iron, which include the price of raw iron and the price of other added materials.
• Industrial technologies and production processes, the more developed they become, the higher the cost of the resulting iron.
• Circumstances Economic global and local, The changes In economic conditions, it is directly reflected in the cost of producing raw materials, which is reflected in the price of iron.
• Supply and demand. Iron is like any other commodity. The greater the demand for it, the higher its cost.
• Transportation and shipping costs, So he moved Iron from producing factories to private construction sites constitutes a large part of the cost. 
• Customs duties and government taxes.
• Change in energy prices. The higher the energy prices, the more expensive it is to produce iron and thus its price increases.

Also know: Steel price per ton

The most important engineering projects that rely on earthquake-resistant steel in Egypt

There are many major engineering projects that rely on earthquake-resistant steel; In order to ensure additional durability and provide safety in the face of earthquakes, the most important projects in which earthquake-resistant steel is used are the following:

• Towers and tall buildings.
• Great bridges.
• Major industrial facilities.
• Tunnels and highways.
• Major government buildings.
• Hospitals and vital facilities.
• Schools and universities.
• Tourism projects and major hotels.
• Dabaa nuclear power plant project.

Finally, it can be said that choosing Earthquake resistant steel is one of the most important steps in the process of safe and sustainable construction in our current era. As we have seen in the article, this type of iron is characterized by advanced technical properties, such as high flexibility, superior durability and the ability to absorb vibrations resulting from ground movements.

Perhaps the most prominent type is B500DWR, which combines international specifications in durability, weldability, and occasional protrusions that ensure better bonding with concrete. We at Al-Qadi Steel realize the importance of providing the best types of earthquake-resistant steel, with international standard specifications that guarantee the safety of facilities.
Do not hesitate to contact the experts of Judge Steele Akbar Rebar neighbor in Egypt; Get technical advice about your project’s needs for Earthquake resistant steel, and let your building stand tall in the face of natural challenges with confidence and safety.