Behavior of One-Way Concrete Slabs Reinforced with Welded Wire Fabric With and Without End Loops

Welded Wire Fabric has several advantages for use as reinforcement in concrete members, including uniform steel placement, ease of placement, and increased bond strength from the welded intersections.

The testing of a type of WWF having end loops was the subject of this research program and thesis. The end loops were developed to enhance the development of the tensile stresses in lap splices of WWF. Seven slabs were tested to validate the behavior of standard 12 in lap splices utilizing WWF having end loops. For comparison, one specimen using standard WWF and a 15 in lap splice was tested. The variables of the testing program were: slab thickness (8 in, 9 in, 10 in), bar diameter (10mm, 11mm, 12 mm), concrete strength (f 'c = 3500 psi and 5000 psi), and reinforcement type. Six of the specimens did not satisfy currently recommended ACI Code values for lap splice lengths of deformed WWF, but the guaranteed yield strength (80 ksi) was developed with the fabric having end loops.

Measured values for each test included: load, deflection at load points and midspan, steel stresses, and crack size and spacing.