CHAPTER 26—CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND INSPECTION
471
CODE
(c) Offset bars shall be bent before placement in the forms.
26.6.4 Welding
26.6.4.1 Compliance requirements:
(a) Welding of all nonprestressed bars shall conform to the
requirements of AWS D1.4. ASTM specifications for bar
reinforcement, except for ASTM A706M, shall be supple-
mented to require a mill test report of material proper-
ties that demonstrate conformance to the requirements in
AWS D1.4.
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COMMENTARY
mately 150 mm of the concrete, some protective insula-
tion may need to be applied. Heating of the bar should be
controlled by temperature-indicating crayons or other suit-
able means. The heated bars should not be artificially cooled
(with water or forced air) until after cooling to at least 320°C.
R26.6.4 Welding—If welding of reinforcing bars is
required, the weldability of the steel and compatible welding
procedures need to be considered. The provisions in AWS
D1.4 cover aspects of welding reinforcing bars, including
criteria to qualify welding procedures.
Weldability of the steel is based on its carbon equiva-
lent (CE), calculated from the chemical composition of the
steel. AWS D1.4 establishes preheat and interpass tempera-
tures for a range of carbon equivalents and reinforcing bar
sizes. AWS D1.4 has two expressions for calculating CE.
The expression considering only the elements carbon and
manganese is to be used for bars other than ASTM A706M.
A more comprehensive CE expression is given for ASTM
A706M bars, which is identical to the CE formula presented
in ASTM A706M.
ASTM A706M covers low-alloy steel reinforcing bars
intended for applications that require controlled tensile
properties, welding, or both. Weldability is accomplished
in ASTM A706M by requiring the CE not to exceed 0.55
percent and controlling the chemical composition. The
manufacturer is required by ASTM A706M to report the
chemical analysis and carbon equivalent (Gustafson and
Felder 1991). When welding reinforcing bars other than
ASTM A706M, the construction documents should specifically
require that the mill test report include chemical analysis
results to permit calculation of the carbon equivalent.
It is often necessary to weld to existing reinforcing bars in
a structure when no mill test report of the existing reinforce-
ment is available. This condition is particularly common in
alterations or building expansions. AWS D1.4 states for such
bars that a chemical analysis may be performed on repre-
sentative bars. If the chemical composition is not known or
obtained, AWS D1.4 requires a minimum preheat. For bars
other than ASTM A706M, the minimum preheat required is
150°C for No. 19 bars or smaller, and 260°C for No. 22 bars
or larger. The required preheat for all sizes of ASTM A706M
bars is to be the temperature given in the Welding Code’s
table for minimum preheat corresponding to the range of CE
“over 0.45 percent to 0.55 percent.” Welding of the partic-
ular bars should be performed in accordance with AWS
D1.4. It should also be determined if additional precautions
are necessary, based on other considerations such as stress 26
level in the bars, consequences of failure, and heat damage
to existing concrete due to welding operations.
AWS D1.4 requires the contractor to prepare welding
procedure specifications (WPSs) conforming to the require-
ments of the Welding Code. Appendix A in AWS D1.4
contains a suggested form that shows the information
required for a WPS.
472 BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE (ACI 318M-14) AND COMMENTARY (ACI 318RM-14)

CODE COMMENTARY
Welding of wire to wire, and of wire or welded wire rein-
forcement to reinforcing bars or structural steel elements is
not covered by AWS D1.4. If welding of this type is required
on a project, the construction documents should specify
requirements or performance criteria for this welding.
If cold-drawn wires are to be welded, the welding proce-
dures should address the potential loss of yield strength
and ductility achieved by the cold-working process (during
manufacture) when such wires are heated by welding. These
potential concerns are not an issue for machine and resis-
tance welding as used in the manufacture of welded plain and
deformed wire reinforcement covered by ASTM A1064M.

(b) Welding of crossing bars shall not be used for assembly
of reinforcement unless permitted by the licensed design
professional.
R26.6.4.1(b) “Tack” welding (welding crossing bars) can
seriously weaken a bar at the point welded by creating a
metallurgical notch effect. This operation can be performed
safely only when the material welded and welding opera-
tions are under continuous competent control, as in the
manufacture of welded wire reinforcement.

26.7—Anchoring to concrete R26.7—Anchoring to concrete

26.7.1 Design information: Minimum requirements for specification of anchors in
the construction documents for conformance with the Code
(a) Requirements for assessment and qualification of are listed. Other information may be applicable for specific
anchors for the applicable conditions of use in accordance cases. For adhesive anchors, application-dependent require-
with 17.1.3. ments for qualification of installers and inspection may
(b) Type, size, location requirements, effective embed- apply.
ment depth, and installation requirements for anchors.
(c) Minimum edge distance of anchors in accordance with
17.7.
(d) Inspection requirements in accordance with 26.13.
(e) For post-installed anchors, parameters associated with
the strength used for design, including anchor category,
concrete strength, and aggregate type.
(f) For adhesive anchors, parameters associated with the
characteristic bond stress used for design in accordance
with 17.4.5, including minimum age of concrete, concrete
temperature range, moisture condition of concrete at time
of installation, type of lightweight concrete if applicable,
and requirements for hole drilling and preparation.
(g) Qualification requirements for installers of anchors in
accordance with 17.8.1.
(h) Adhesive anchors installed in a horizontal or upwardly
inclined orientation, if they support sustained tension loads.
(i) Required certifications for installers of adhesive
anchors that are installed in a horizontal or upwardly
inclined orientation to support sustained tension loads in
accordance with 17.8.2.2 and 17.8.2.3.
(j) For adhesive anchors, proof loading where required in
accordance with 17.8.2.1.
(k) Corrosion protection for exposed anchors intended for
attachment with future Work.

26.7.2 Compliance requirements:

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