Flux shielded arc butt welding of concrete reinforcing steel

Abstract

The present paper reports on a new variant of flux shielded arc butt welding without the addition of a filler material, applied to steel bars for concrete reinforcement. The welding process is described, including the arc ignition and forcing together of the workpieces, via the application of a mechanical force, to form an upset. A new portable machine is described, using which it is possible to apply flux shielded arc welding on site. Experiments were carried out, from which optimum welding parameters such as welding current, weld time, and upsetting force were found. The strength properties of the welded joints obtained were determined via mechanical testing, i.e. a bend test, a tensile strength test, and an impact toughness test. Macroscopic sections of the welded joints were also produced. A quality analysis of the butt welded joints showed that the mechanical properties of the joints were equivalent or even superior to the properties of the parent metal.