Splicing Strength of Welded Steel Mesh in Concrete Bridge Decks

Abstract

The splicing strength of welded wire fabric (WWF) in concrete bridge decks was investigated by testing three one‐way slabs reinforced with spliced WWF, and one slab reinforced with WWF without a splice. The slabs were tested up to their ultimate capacity. The experiments showed that the specimens with transverse wires in the splice zone had an early separation of the spliced steel, thereby resulting in concrete cover failure. A new splice detail without transverse wires in the splice zone resulted in a gradual (more ductile) failure mode and a strain distribution similar to the slab without a splice. It was also determined that the orientation of transverse wires, distribution of longitudinal wires, and weld shear strength are the major factors affecting the splice strength of concrete bridge slabs reinforced with welded wire fabric.