Short Answer:

IS 800 is an Indian Standard code that gives guidelines for the design and construction of steel structures. It is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is mainly used by structural engineers and architects in India. The latest version of this code is IS 800:2007, which replaced the older 1984 version. It helps ensure that steel structures are strong, safe, and reliable.

IS 800 specifies how to design steel buildings and structures using the Limit State Method, which considers both safety and usability. It includes rules for material properties, loads, stability, member design, joints, fabrication, and erection. This standard is used for bridges, towers, industrial buildings, and any other structure made with steel.

Detailed Explanation:

IS 800

IS 800 is the Indian Standard code titled “General Construction in Steel — Code of Practice”. It provides a complete set of guidelines for the structural design and construction of steel buildings. The code is developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is followed by engineers and construction professionals across India. The latest revision, IS 800:2007, brought in major changes and adopted modern design approaches.

Steel is widely used in construction because it is strong, durable, flexible, and suitable for large-span structures. However, to make full use of its properties, it must be used carefully. IS 800 gives the correct procedures and safety checks needed to design safe and economical steel structures.

The main feature of IS 800:2007 is the use of the Limit State Method. This method ensures that a structure is not only strong enough (strength limit state) but also serviceable (serviceability limit state), meaning it doesn’t bend too much, vibrate excessively, or crack during normal use. This is a modern design method and gives more accurate and safer results than the older Working Stress Method used in the previous code.

IS 800 specifies various important aspects for designing steel structures:

1. Material properties: It defines the strength, ductility, and quality of steel that should be used in construction.
2. Loads and load combinations: It includes guidance on how to consider dead loads, live loads, wind loads, earthquake loads, and other forces acting on the structure.
3. Design of members: It explains how to design different parts of a steel structure, such as beams, columns, trusses, and plates. It also gives rules for checking bending, shear, axial loads, and combined stresses.
4. Stability and buckling: It provides rules to ensure that members do not become unstable or buckle under load.
5. Connections: It gives detailed methods for designing joints and connections using bolts, welds, or rivets. Connections are crucial in steel design and must be properly checked.
6. Fabrication and erection: IS 800 also includes recommendations for fabrication in workshops, transporting steel parts, and assembling them on site. It emphasizes accuracy and quality control.
7. Corrosion protection: Since steel can rust, IS 800 also mentions protective coatings, paint systems, and maintenance measures to increase the life of the structure.

IS 800 is used for many types of steel structures such as industrial sheds, warehouses, multistorey buildings, communication towers, and railway bridges. It is also referred to in educational institutes and government projects as a standard practice guide.

By using IS 800, engineers can ensure that the steel structure is safe under all expected loads, will perform well over time, and will not fail suddenly or unexpectedly. The code helps in maintaining a uniform quality of design and construction across India.

Conclusion:

IS 800 is a key Indian Standard that provides clear and detailed rules for designing safe and reliable steel structures. It helps engineers choose the right materials, apply correct loads, and check the strength and stability of every part of the steel building. Following IS 800 ensures long-lasting, strong, and efficient steel construction.