permissible stresses, both for the strength design

method and the working stress method; splice details;

workmanship; filler metal (electrodes) re q u i re m e n t s ;
welding technique; welder qualification; and inspection.
These are explained in the following series of questions
and answers.
Types of welded splices
Q: What types of welded splices are included in the AWS
code?
A: Direct and indirect butt splices, and lap-welded
splices.
Q: Is special end preparation of the bars required for direct
butt splices?
A: Yes, the particular end details—V- grooves or bevels—
depend upon whether the bars will be placed in a horizontal
or vertical position.
Q: What is an indirect butt splice?
A: A splice where both bars are welded to a common
splice member such as a plate, angle or other shape.
The bars are nearly aligned; bar ends are separated no
more than 3⁄4 inch; and the cross section of the bars is not
welded.
Q: What types of lap-welded splices are included in the
AWS code?
A: There are two types: direct and indirect. A direct type
is one in which the bars are in contact and welded together;
single or double lap joints can be used; they are
suitable only for small bars, preferably #5 or smaller.
Double lap joints would be preferred if eccentricity of
the splice is a consideration. In an indirect type, the bars
are welded to a common splice plate; there is a space between
the bars.
Q: Where are fillet welds used?
A: An example would be connections of rebars to structural
steel members, provided sufficient stru c t u ra l
strength can be achieved.
Q: What welding processes does the AWS code cover?
A: Shielded metal arc, flux cored arc, pressure gas and
thermite welding processes.
Q: What is thermite welding?
A: It is a process in which the ends of the bars are fusion
welded. Refractory molds are assembled on the bars and
sealed in place. Heat- generating powders are filled into a
separate cavity in the molds. The powders are ignited
and burn with enough heat to form superheated molten
steel. The steel flows through the gap between the bars
and some flows into a second cavity beyond the bars,
preheating them. Subsequent flow completes the
process.
Q: When or why would thermite welding be used?
A: Thermite welding has been used with success in making
butt-welded joints in the large #14 and #18 bars. This
process has been successful in joining hard - t o - we l d
steels, because it welds the entire cross section at the
same time and automatically provides preheat and slow
cooling.
Q: Is thermite welding popular?
A: Not so much in recent years for splicing rebars. It
seems to be extensively used in other applications such
as continuously welded railroad rails; the suppliers of
the proprietary molds and other materials may be concentrating
their attention on the other applications.
Q: The AWS code discusses filler metal (electrodes). What
kind of electrodes are required for arc welding?
A: The electrodes should conform to AWS Specifications
A5.1 or A5.5. They should be of a classification and size
appropriate to the welding conditions and to the tensile
strength and analysis of the bars to be welded. It is important
that the coatings of low - h yd rogen-type electrodes
such as Classes E70XX and E80XX be thoroughly
dry when used. For example, E80XX electrodes taken
from hermetically sealed packages must be used within
4 hours.
Weldability and carbon equivalent
Q: When the subject of welding is discussed, the term
weldability is often mentioned. What is meant by weld -
ability?
A: A metallurgist defines weldability in terms of the
chemical composition of the steel; his measure is carbon
equivalent content. A structural engineer probably
thinks of weldability in terms of the strength achieved at
a splice, while a welder or contractor considers it in
terms of cost, welding method required, and amount of
preheat. The AWS code defines weldability as “the capacity
of a metal to be welded under the fabrication conditions
imposed into a specific suitably designed structure
and to perform satisfactorily in the intended
service.”
Q: What is carbon equivalent?
A: This is a quantitative measure of weldability. The carbon
equivalent (C.E.) is based on the chemical composition
of steel; it accounts for those chemical elements affecting
weldability, and it is a numerical value expressed
as a percent. The AWS code and the ASTM A706 rebar
specification have the same formula for C.E.
%Mn %Cu %Ni %Cr %Mo %V
C.E. = %C + ––––– + ––––– + ––––– + ––––– - ––––– - –––––
6 40 20 10 50 10
Note that fractions of the percentages of manganese
( Mn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) are