Table of Contents

 IS code for steel in India

 IS code for structural steel
 IS code for steel reinforcement
 Importance of IS code

If you are a civil engineer or a construction builder dealing with structural steel, then you
must be familiar with IS 800 or the Indian Standard for general construction in steel. The
IS code for steel in India outlines the basic guidelines or rules that all need to adhere by
in steel design, steel fabrication and steel construction. It also defines the safety and
quality standards that all steel structures need to maintain for consistency across steel
construction in India.
Steel is an important construction material used in the construction of different
buildings and structures (e.g., towers, bridges, damns, chimneys). And civil
engineers, real estate builders and construction companies all have to consult a
number of IS codes for structural steel designs before commencing on a project. As
such, if there is any discrepancy or conflict in the design/usage, the IS steel code is
considered the guiding principle.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the list of IS code for steel structures and
steel reinforcement and why the IS code set by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) is
important for steel.

List of IS code for steel in India

The first thing to understand here is that the IS code is applicable to India specifically.
Different countries may have their own quality codes to be followed.
On that note, let us take a look at the list of IS codes for steel that must be followed
during construction:
IS code Meaning/definition/usage of IS code

IS 2750:1964 Specification for steel scaffoldings

IS 432:1982 Specification for mild steel

IS: 432
Specification for mild steel of grade I
IS: 226
IS: 2062
IS: 432
Specification for mild steel of grade II
IS: 1877
IS 1323:1982 Oxyacetylene welding for structural work in mild steel
 Code of Practice for laying and fixing sloped roof covering using plain
IS 12093: 1987
and corrugated steel sheets

IS: 2062 Steel for general purposes

IS: 2090 High tensile strength steel bar for prestressed concrete

IS: 226 Rolled steel made from structural steel

IS: 2074 Prime coat for structural steel

IS: 2932 Synthetic enamel paint for structural steel

IS: 1566 Hard drawn steel wire fabric for reinforcing concrete

IS: 1785 Plain hard drawn steel wire fabric for prestressed concrete

IS code for structural steel design

When designing steel structures, there are some Indian Standard codes that need to be
kept in mind. Below listed are some of the IS code for steel structure:
IS code for structural
Meaning/definition/application of IS steel code
steel

IS: 800: 2007 Guidelines for general construction in steel

Guidelines for the application of structural steel in transmission line towers and
IS: 802 Part 1: 1995
overhead transmission systems (materials, loads, permissible stress)

Code of Practice for the use of structural steel in overhead transmission

IS: 802 Part 2: 1978
systems/towers (fabrication, galvanising, inspection and packing)

Code of Practice for using structural components in the overhead transmission

IS: 802 Part 3: 1978
systems (testing)

IS: 806: 1968 Code of Practice for use of steel tubes in general building construction
 IS: 811: 1987 Cold formed light gauge structural steel sections specifications

IS: 1161: 1998 Specifications for steel tube for structural purposes

Specifications of steel plates, steel sheets, strips and flats for use in structural
IS: 1730: 1989
engineering

IS: 2314: 1986 Specifications of steel sheet piling components

IS: 2750: 1964 Requirements for steel scaffoldings

IS: 2062: 1999 Specifications on steel for general structural purposes

IS: 3502: 1994 Specifications for steel chequered plates

IS: 4000: 1992 Code of Practice for installing high strength bolts in steel constructions

IS: 7205: 1974 Safety code for erection of structural steel work

IS: 7215: 1974 Tolerances for fabrication of steel structures

IS: 8500: 1991 Weldable structural steel (medium and high strength)

SP 6 (Part 1): 1964 Handbook for structural steel sections

Source: theconstructor.org ‘IS Codes for Structural Steel Design’ and housing.com ‘IS code for
steel: A comprehensive list’
Note: This is not an exclusive list and there are other Indian Standard codes for structural steel
that should be looked into during building construction, designing and structural steel
fabrication.
IS code for reinforcement
There is also a list of IS codes on reinforcement (i.e., bending). Mentioned below are some of the
IS codes that one should know of.

IS code for steel

Meaning/definition/application of IS steel code
reinforcement

IS: 432 Mild steel, medium tensile steel bars, hard strained steel wires for concrete
reinforcement
(stated earlier)
 Concrete reinforcement requirements for high power deformed steel bars and
IS: 1786
wires

IS: 2502 Code of Practice for bending and fixing of bars

IS: 2751 Recommendations for welding of mild steel plain and deformed bars

Deterioration protection of steel reinforcement in RB and reinforcement concrete

IS: 9077
construction

Source: engineeringfee.com ‘List of IS Codes on Reinforcement’

IS code for steel in India: Why is it important?
The Indian Standard or IS code for steel is 800 used for general construction in steel. The code
has undergone two revisions. The previous version was in 1984 and the latest version in 2007
(i.e., IS 800-2007) released on 22 February 2008.
IS: 800-2007 is based on the Limit State method of design (i.e., load and resistance factor
method of designing structures) which is entirely different from the method used in IS: 800-1984
based on the Elastic method. In lays down the guidelines on the different types of steel, the load
to be considered in the design layout, and other details on service requirements that should be
included in the design.
The importance of IS code for steel lies in it being a:
 Consolidated set of rules based on research, learnings, and historical data to reduce challenges and
increase success of construction projects (e.g., using steel in building constructions)
 Guideline on the use of steel, type of steel and more to maintain consistency, safety and quality in all
steel structures built in India
As can be gathered, it is imperative for builders and civil engineers to follow the IS codes during
the construction of steel structures. It is recommended to have an efficient procurement process
for steel and other raw materials to ensure that quality standards are met and no design
challenges are present.

10 steps involved in the typical Steel

Fabrication process :

Carrying out the process of Steel Fabrication requires high skills and professionalism.
Moreover, to complete the process properly and efficiently, it is important to follow
certain steps. We will discuss the steps in detail.

1)Surface cleaning:
The first step in the steel fabrication process is cleaning the surface of the steel. It
involves removing mill scale and rust before fabrications. Several methods can do the
cleaning process. The most common surface cleaning method is hand preparation. It
includes wire brushes and Rubbing emery paper. These methods will make sure to
remove all the rust and roughen the surface of the steel.
2)Cutting and Machining :
As we move ahead in the steel fabrication process. After cleaning the surface of the
steel comes cutting and machining. Cutting includes processes like sawing, shaping,
drilling, turning, grinding, and more. While machining process got 3 basic concepts or
principles. The principles are turning, drilling, and milling.

4 methods of Cutting and Machining:

In steel fabrication, cutting and machining includes following steps: –
 Shearing and Cropping: In this process, the steel fabrication experts use specialist
plate shears and hydraulic shears. The shears cut steel sections in lengths and widths.
Heavy plates are shaped and cut into lengths.
 Flame Cutting or burning: This method involves heating and cutting steel by high-
pressure flame. The flame is a mixture of oxygen and a combustible gas such as
propane. Flame cutting uses a jet of high-pressure oxygen released at a temperature of
around 1500 degrees centigrade. The experts prefer this method for several reasons.
One of the main points is that it doesn’t need any power supply for cutting through this
method.
 Plasma Fusion Cutting: In this method, steel fabrication experts produce the cutting
energy by heating gas in an electric arc. The Electrodes of tungsten and workpiece
together form the electric arc. Due to this, the method is also known as arc plasma
cutting. The Arc usually uses a DC source and requires much power. This method is
efficient up to the thickness of 150mm steel. Also, it is a slow process. The experts use
this process mostly for welding thin membranes like architectural work components and
stainless steel.
 Cold Sawing Method: During steel fabrication, when it is difficult to cut the steel to
length by other methods, the final tool in the arsenal is the cold sawing method. It also
has some degree of computer control for precision.

3)Punching and Drilling :

Next step after the cutting and machining process in steel fabrication is punching and
drilling. This step involves making holes in materials using large fabricators. These
fabricators are controlled numerically. The fabricated drill holes are in response to
keyed-in data fed in them. The holes are necessary for joint bolts in the flanges And
rolled steel sections.

4)Straightening, Bending, and Rolling:

The transportation, punching, and drilling processes can bend the rolled-in steel.
Therefore, in steel fabrication, the straightening or leveling process is for straightening
sections, pipes, and other flat surfaces after rolling. In addition, this process is important
to create structures like tanks for beautification or aesthetic purposes. The process
mostly used for straightening, bending, and rolling is.
  Roller Bending: it is a cold process. In this procedure, the member passes through a
set of rolls. The shaping of the rolls is so that they are a cross-section of the steel
member. The roller applies force across opposing sets of rolls repeatedly to achieve the
desired curvature.

Fitting:
Fitting comes after straightening, bending, and rolling in steel fabrication. In this
process, the professionals hold the pieces, which are then welded together in a place. It
mostly involves tack welding to give support at proper angles. The experts can easily
remove the joints if they are not aligned perfectly.

Fastening:
As we move towards the concluding steps of the Steel fabrication process, next comes
combining or joining parts for final assembly. This step is known as fastening. Fastening
is very important as the strength of the entire structure depends on the fastening
process.
3 methods for the Fastening process:
Essentially, there are three different types we can join the parts of the structure.
 Bolting: In this process, bolts and nuts create joints between structural elements and
fasten them.
 Riveting: This method uses permanent mechanical fasteners, also known as rivets.
Which helps fasten structural elements together.
 Welding: This method uses heat and pressure to fasten. The fastened parts form a joint
after cooling.

Finishing or Surface cleaning:

Steel, After going through all the process steps of steel fabrication, needs improvement
in its surface. Surface cleaning is important as it will enhance the durability and
appearance of steel. During the steps of cutting, punching, straightening, joining,
fastening, and more, the steel gets welding marks, oils, grease that needs to get
removed. Finishing is when the professionals do an overall cleaning of the finished
product to remove welding marks, oil, and grease marks. It makes the structural steel
clean and smooth. Grinding is most commonly used to clean and smoothen the surface
during finishing.
Quality Control:
Quality Control is very important for client satisfaction. It ensures that the organization
meets the client’s requirements and specifications during the structural steel fabrication
process. In this regard, the Inspections become an important part of Quality control. It
includes checking and compiling the mentioned requirements and specifications of the
clients. The next step is to provide inspection reports regarding those requirements.
Surface Treatment:
The final step of the manufacturing process of steel fabrication is Surface treatment. In
this step, blasting, painting, or galvanizing treats the surface of the finished product to
achieve certain benefits.

2 major methods for Surface Treatment:

 Blasting and painting: The professionals use the blasting technique on the finished
product to smoothen the rough surfaces, remove surface contaminants or shape a
surface. A two-layered process of painting follows the blasting.
 1st step is the application of Red oxide or Zinc oxide. It forms a prime coat on the
steel surface.
 2nd step is forming an outer layer for beauty and protection. The application of oil,
epoxy or other types of paint forms this outer layer.
 Galvanizing: In steel fabrication, Galvanizing or Galvanization is the process of coating
a protective zinc coat on the finished fabricated steel. This coat prevents the steel from
rusting. The most used method is hot-dip galvanizing. In this method, professionals dip
the structural steel in molten zinc to form a protective coat on the steel.
5 Advantages of Surface Treatment:
Surface treatment is an important process for durability and long-lasting structural steel.
Here are five advantages of surface treatment:
 Beautification: The most prominent and obvious benefit of surface treatment is
beautification. The product looks aesthetically pleasing after surface cleaning.
 Environmentally friendly: The treated steel will be more environmentally compliant
than untreated steel.
 Less maintenance required: Surface treatment protects the structure steel against
corrosion and rusting. It reduces the maintenance requirements of structural steel.
 Increased durability: Treatment of steel increases its life and durability
 Damage resistance: surface treatment helps the structural steel against the external
environmental forces. It helps increase the steel’s overall lifetime.

Transportation:
After completing all the manufacturing steps involved in structural steel fabrication, the
10th and final step of the process is Transportation. Transportation has essentially 3
parts.


 The first part includes assembling all the components of structural steel.
 The second part includes tying the components together and covering them
properly to reduce the risk of accidents and damage.
 The third part includes transferring finished goods to the required site. A flatbed
truck or any other vehicle suitable according to the specification of fabricated
structural steel is used as transportation.