Construction, also known as building construction is an ancient human activity that began with the yearnings of man for shelter. The shelters constructed in those days were very simple and temporary structures made of materials like leaves, animal hides, and tree branches. Majority of these structures only lasted a few days or months because of the perishability of the materials used, and the fact that people often moved from one place to another. However, with the advent of more resilient materials, humans began to construct more durable structures as people started staying in one place for long periods.

Evolution of Construction Materials

With the invention of more enduring materials came the use of stones, clays and timbers followed slowly by the age of bricks and concretes. This gave more functions to the shelters built by humans. The shelters were later used as food storage, etc. Structures also began to have functional values and symbols as they were used to mark the difference between architecture and building.

Then, industrial revolution and evolvement of architecture brought in other innovative materials like metals and steel. But with the challenges confronting construction and architecture, modern styles and designs called for the use of materials that are capable of maintaining structural strength and reduce their impact on the environment. These materials must be capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions such as windstorm, heavy rain, snow and hail, forces of nature like earthquakes and flood. The materials must also be resistant to corrosion, fire, extreme temperature, and various unfavourable climatic conditions Hence the invention of concrete and steel.

TMT Iron Rods and Modern Construction Materials

With the use of steel, man was able to combat the challenges confronting construction and architecture to a large extent due to the ability of steel to be customized without compromising strength and structural stability. Apart from these factors, steel is termite-proof, recyclable and non-combustible. It also allows architects to have complete design freedom. But despite all these benefits, some of the challenges like high impacts of earthquakes and other natural disasters still remained. This means that man could not construct highly sophisticated structures like high-rise buildings, skycrappers, etc. for fear of being destroyed during natural disasters.

The desire to combat these challenges gave rise to the innovation of Thermo-Mechanically-Treated (TMT) iron rods. TMT iron rods are products of innovation and technological advancement.

Importance and Benefits of TMT Iron Rods

TMT iron rods have become the most common, essential and highly preferred materials in building and construction because of their strong bonding with concrete, great strength and better ductility. They provide better reinforcement to concrete structures and minimize damage caused by earthquakes, corrosion, and thermal agents.

TMT iron rods have many qualities that give structures indisputable benefits. They are combined with concrete because of its brittle nature. The rapid quenching and tempering used in the manufacturing process of TMT iron rods result in combination of tensile strength and ductility and make them more corrosion-resistant.

• High Strength

The quenching process used in making TMT iron rods gives them superior strength. This protects buildings during natural disasters.

• Ductility

One of the advantages that TMT iron rods have over local iron rods is their ductility and bend properties. The ductility is made possible through their manufacturing process which makes them give a high level of flexibility to building structure. This ensures that when buildings are shaken up during natural disaster, especially earthquake, it can retain its structure. The bendability enables pre-welded meshes which are used to eliminate the need for binding.

• TMT iron rods have thermal resistance

The right chemistry and physical properties of TMT iron rods ensure that the rods withstand high temperature, moist conditions and fire. Hence, they give buildings and structures longer lifespan.

• Suitable for all types of construction projects

The edge that TMT iron rods have over local iron rods is that they are used for all types of construction projects due to their excellent bendability and flexibility. TMT iron rods can be broadened or bent to suit your construction structure.

• They are natural-disaster-resistant

The unique manufacturing process of TMT iron rods gives them a high level of ductility. This ensures that when buildings are shaken up during natural disaster, especially earthquake, they can retain their structure. This is the reason why TMT iron rods are highly preferred in major construction projects.

• TMT iron rods have excellent flexibility and bendability

The intensely advanced quenching process undergone by TMT iron rods hardens the outer layer, thereby giving the iron rods easy bendability. This quality means that TMT iron rods can be moulded into any desired shape without breaking and can be used for various construction purposes.

• TMT iron rods are defect-free

Also, TMT iron rods do not go through any deformation or twisting processes. This is why their surface is free from cracks and other defects.

FINAL WORDS

TMT iron rods have become a very important component in the construction process because when combined with cement and concrete, they provide great strength to structures and protects them from cracking, spalling and collapsing even during natural disasters and fire.

This is why they are not only used in building of houses but also in construction of bridges, flyovers and other civil engineering structures.