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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
IS: 226 IS: 2062 |
Specification for mild steel of grade I |
| IS: 432
IS: 1877 |
Specification for mild steel of grade II |
| IS 1323:1982 | Oxyacetylene welding for structural work in mild steel |
| IS 12093: 1987 | Code of Practice for laying and fixing sloped roof covering using plain 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 |
Source: wikipedia.org ‘List of referred Indian Standard Codes for civil engineers’
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 steel | Meaning/definition/application of IS steel code |
| IS: 800: 2007 | Guidelines for general construction in steel |
| IS: 802 Part 1: 1995 | Guidelines for the application of structural steel in transmission line towers and overhead transmission systems (materials, loads, permissible stress) |
| IS: 802 Part 2: 1978 | Code of Practice for the use of structural steel in overhead transmission systems/towers (fabrication, galvanising, inspection and packing) |
| IS: 802 Part 3: 1978 | Code of Practice for using structural components in the overhead transmission 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 |
| IS: 1730: 1989 | Specifications of steel plates, steel sheets, strips and flats for use in structural 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 reinforcement | Meaning/definition/application of IS steel code |
| IS: 432
(stated earlier) |
Mild steel, medium tensile steel bars, hard strained steel wires for concrete reinforcement |
| IS: 1786 | Concrete reinforcement requirements for high power deformed steel bars and wires |
| IS: 2502 | Code of Practice for bending and fixing of bars |
| IS: 2751 | Recommendations for welding of mild steel plain and deformed bars |
| IS: 9077 | Deterioration protection of steel reinforcement in RB and reinforcement concrete 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.
Sohini is a seasoned content writer with 12 years’ experience in developing marketing and business content across multiple formats. At Tata nexarc, she leverages her skills in crafting curated content on the Indian MSME sector, steel procurement, and logistics. In her personal time, she enjoys reading fiction and being up-to-date on trends in digital marketing and the Indian business ecosystem.
G0ood to know that the IS codes are based on research, learnings, and historical data; gives confidence in their effectiveness. Would like to know more about “Limit State Method of Design”
Can you provide more details about the limit state method of design mentioned in the LS 800-2007 code?
Let’s say I have plans drawn up a few years ago. Do I NEED to redo them based on the new IS 800, or is it okay if the project started under the older rules?
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