Investigating the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Behavior of Welded-Wire Reinforcement

Keywords

welded-wire reinforcement (WWR), fracture, ductility, charpy v-notch (CVN), subsized correction

Abstract

Welded-wire reinforcement (WWR) is widely used as the main reinforcement in bridge decks and vertical shear reinforcement in concrete bridge girders. Previous studies on concrete members reinforced with WWR have indicated that the reduced ductility of the cold-drawn wires leads to lower member ductility and rupture of shear reinforcing steel at failure. Additionally, the influence of the heat-affected zones created at the electric-resistance welds raises concerns regarding the mechanical behavior at the welded connections. To evaluate the fracture behavior of WWR meshes, an experimental program was developed involving tensile and Charpy V-notch (CVN) specimens sampled from straight bars and welded intersections. Due to size constraints, both full and subsized CVN specimens were tested, and a variety of size correction methods were trialed for degree of accuracy in comparing the two sizes of specimens tested. Tensile tests showed that the cross-welds decreased ultimate strain by an average of 10% without significantly altering yield stress, ultimate strength, or elongation at fracture. CVN tests indicated that the cross-weld tended to increase impact toughness by up to 30J (22  ft-lbf) as the longitudinal and transverse bars became closer in size. Experimental values are evaluated using statistical methods and compared to specification minimums in American and European standards.

Original Publication Citation

Yount, T., Sorensen, T., Collins, W., Maguire, M. (2021). “Investigating the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Behavior of Welded-Wire Reinforcement.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2021-01-22

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8249

Publisher

Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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