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Increase in cost of construction materials and labour : A challenge to overcome

By
Sourav Dutta
Manager-Civil
Ion Exchange India Limited

Conventional way of rebar lapping / splicing as per BIS

photo-1-typical-rebar-exposureextension-for-further-lapping-splicing

photo-1-typical-rebar-exposureextension-for-further-lapping-splicing2
Photo 1 : Typical rebar exposure/extension for further lapping/splicing

As per BIS456-2000 some guidelines on lapping/splicing are as follows:

The guideline of lap length / development length of rebar required for lapping / splicing is as follows:

Grade of RCC M20 M25 M30 M35
Grade of Rebar Lap length required in tension as per Cl. 26.2.1 of BIS456-2000:
Fe500 57 x d 50 x d 45 x d 40 x d
Fe600 68 x d 60 x d 55 x d 48 x d

Note: d = nominal diameter of HYSD bar

Some disadvantages of this conventional method of rebar lapping / splicing:

The above table along with photo 1 clearly indicates how much lap length we need to provide for lapping, conversely how much rebar and binding wires we might save if we might use mechanical splicing for joining the rebar.

More lapping of rebar causes congestion, and if vibrator doesn’t percolate through the congestion and compact the surrounding concrete around the splice/lap location, it is likely to create honeycomb or voids in concrete, as shown in photo 2. That is one of the main reasons that although 6% rebar is permissible in columns as per Cl. 26.5.3.1 of BIS456-2000, not more than 4% rebar is advised as per NOTE of the clause.

photo-2-honeycomb-in-concretephoto-2-voids-in-concrete
Photo 2

As per Cl. 26.5.3.3 of BIS456-2000, at splice location longitudinal bars in a column are required to be inclined with the axis of column at a slope not exceeding 1 in 6, as shown in photo 3. Such profile is difficult to fabricate accurately without automated bending machine, which incur huge hire charges. Moreover such fabrication involves a lot of labour dependency and time engagement.

longitudinal-bars-in-a-column longitudinal-bars-in-a-column

longitudinal-bars-in-a-column-3 longitudinal-bars-in-a-column-4
Photo 3

Now-a-days mechanical splicing system technology is developed where rebar couplers are designed to join reinforcement bars of dia ranging from 12mm to 40mm dia. The traditional method of connecting reinforcement bars with lap joints continuity in reinforced concrete need not be always appropriate. Advantages of simplicity and economy in lap splicing are limited to smaller diameter bars. Mechanical couplers offer the solution for splicing when large diameter bars are involved.

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The processes and machines involved in rebar coupling process are as follows in photo 4:

processes-and-machines-involved-in-rebar-coupling-process
Photo 4

The advantages of mechanical splicing system (shown in photo 5) over conventional rebar lapping system are as follows:

Table for Cost Comparison between Rebar Coupler and conventional Lapping Process for a single lap
Bar Dia. d (mm) Average Lap length for comparison = 50xd (m) Weight of lapping (Kg) Rebar Cost/Kg (Rs) Rebar Cost (Rs) Binding wire for lapping @ 5Kg/T (Kg) Binding wire cost including tax (Rs) Binding wire Cost (Rs) Labour cost for bending @ Rs2/Kg Total Lapping Cost (Rs) Coupler Rate + rebar threading (Rs) SAVINGS (Rs)
40 2 19.7 35 690.5 0.10 75 3.5 39.5 733.4 270 463
36 1.8 14.4 503.4 0.07 2.5 28.8 534.7 206 329
32 1.6 10.1 353.5 0.05 1.8 20.2 375.5 154 222
25 1.25 4.8 168.6 0.02 0.8 9.6 179.1 110 69
20 1 2.5 86.3 0.01 0.4 4.9 91.7 85 7
16 0.8 1.3 44.2 0.01 0.2 2.5 46.9 60 -13

photo-5-mechanical-splicing-rebar-couplers-used-in-various-projects

photo-5-mechanical-splicing-rebar-couplers-used-in-various-projects

photo-5-mechanical-splicing-rebar-couplers-used-in-various-projects3photo-5-mechanical-splicing-rebar-couplers-used-in-various-projects5photo-5-mechanical-splicing-rebar-couplers-used-in-various-projects5

Photo 5 : Mechanical splicing (rebar couplers) used in various projects

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We at engineeringcivil.com are thankful to Er. Sourav Dutta for submitting this paper to us. We hope this paper will be helpful for the whole construction industry in general.

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Kanwarjot Singh

Kanwarjot Singh is the founder of Civil Engineering Portal, a leading civil engineering website which has been awarded as the best online publication by CIDC. He did his BE civil from Thapar University, Patiala and has been working on this website with his team of Civil Engineers.

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