Fillet welding of skewed reinforcing steel to steel plate

Connecting or anchoring reinforcing steel to structural steel plate or shapes using fillet welds is a common detail in precast concrete construction. However, there is currently no guidance on the effects of skewing the reinforcing bar with respect to the plate. This paper reports findings from a study of the effects of a skewed reinforcing bar on both the effective weld area and the overall connection strength. Thirty-two samples of reinforcing bars welded to steel plates at various skew angles were fabricated and tested in tension to failure. These results were compared with an analysis based on the instantaneous center of rotation method presented in the American Welding Society’s Structural Welding Code—Steel (AWS D1.1-20). Recommendations are presented to revise the Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Bars (AWS D1.4) to account for the effect of skewed reinforcing bars welded to structural steel plate or shapes.