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.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Yount, Tristan; Sorensen, Taylor; Collins, William; and Maguire, Marc, "Investigating the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Behavior of Welded-Wire Reinforcement" (2021). Faculty Publications. 5517.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5517
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
Copyright Status
© ASCE
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/